Contractors In Iraq Are Targets For Attack

Hundreds Of Civilian Truck Drivers Form 'Shadow Army,' Tempting Targets For Insurgents

(CBS)  Tens of thousands of civilians are deployed in Iraq, providing logistical support to the troops. Most are motivated by patriotism and the hefty pay. But as CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian discovered, the danger is great and the toll is high.

Criss-crossing Iraq, the hundreds of civilian truck drivers who form a "shadow army," hauling food and supplies to military bases, are a tempting target for attacks.

Ohio truck driver Robert Rowe, a former Marine, was shot while leading a convoy into Baghdad.

"We got hit from both sides, a guy on top of the bridge," Rowe says. "A round come through and tagged me in the leg."

Cindy Morgan was Robert Rowe's convoy commander. A rare female truck driver in Iraq, she's written a book about working in a war zone.

"We live, we eat, we sleep, pretty much side by side with our troops. And we get shot at, we bleed and we die beside them," Morgan says.

Since the war began, more than 600 civilians employed by American companies have been killed. More than 7,000 have been injured.

At $80,000 or more a year, they're some of the best-paid truck drivers in the world. But for some, even that big a reward doesn't justify the risk.

"A lot of them are like I am," Morgan says. "There's not enough money to go play Russian Roulette with your life."

West Virginia truck driver Brian Rolfe found his life on the line while driving a fuel tanker at night.

"I heard a pop and a glass crackling and then it felt like a 50-pound sledgehammer hit me upside the head," Rolfe says.

Somehow, he maintained control of his truck, even after taking a sniper's bullet in the head.

"When I feel a headache starting, it feels like a steel band being tightened around the base of your skull," Rolfe says.

Many of America's "shadow soldiers" find themselves suffering, but still proud of their decision to back our troops in Iraq.

"It gave you sense of pride. And if I could help out again, I'd do it," Rowe says. "I'd do it in a heartbeat."

Many of these civilian contractors told CBS News they fight a new battle when they come home. They have a difficult time collecting health benefits and worker's compensation for their physical and emotional injuries.

[kwlambi]

yada yada, what is it that motivates humans to goto a really smelly place ?

[feelfree1]

I think that most of these "contractors" go to Iraq in order to feed their own greed, selfishness, ignorance, and blind hatred, while others go out of shear economic desparation.

The assests of "contractor" Corporations (Bechtel, Halliburton, Blackwater, etc.), which have profitted so greatly from the death, misery, and destruction of Iraq, should be liquidated, and the proceeds used to create a reparations fund for the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, the U.S., ect.

What a disgraceful way to make a living.

[tinker3478]

Parts of Iraq are really beautiful but agree it is money that draws the contractors.

[kb1088]

So Bush does create high-paid jobs-------truck drivers in Iraq.

[bf0526]

Our own government found a way to shrink military spending by eliminating backup support. Now corporations have moved in to fill those needs.
When you profited from military downsizing were you feeding your own greed, selfishness, and ignorance?
The contractors and their families left behind are proud of the work that they are doing to support the military and the mission we have asked them to do.

[feelfree1]

bf0526,

The only people who have "asked" these "contractors" to plunder the Iraqis and the U.S. Treasury the way that they that they have, are the money-grubbing power elite who profit from it, and their blind dead-ender supporters. People who work for these "contractors", are in Iraq by their own choice, to satisfy their own selfishness in most cases, and out of desperation in others.

To the contrary, millions and millions of people around the globe LOUDLY and resoundingly rejected the fraud-based, illegal U.S. war of aggression against Iraq. Some people appear still to have not gotten the message.

[badfish1955]

well i see the class envy, ignorant crowd are here and posting their garbage..if you had half a brain you would..know that the money is not the reason people go to iraq. most of them are vets that are too old to reenlist but want to support in some way..what is the most dangerous job in the world without carrying a weapon..
answer convoy driver in iraq...walk a mile in my shoes and then you can judge me...

[sandrose65]

Ya'll have no idea what the hell ya'll are talking about. Pack your bag and go over there yourself and lets see how long you last. I bet it wouldn't be 24 hours! Many contracytor go because they were to old to join the military when 911 haooened. This is their way of serving their country and showing their support for the troops. I did it for two years and I can tell ya, being shot at it not work 80 grand, but serving my country is. SO, unless you ahve the ball to get off you dead *** and go see first hand how it is over there and what REALLY happens, shut the hell up and enjoy the freedom that the troops and the contractor have given you!

[badfish1955]

these people are that post this liberal garbage are the ones who would rather be red than dead.
they are the gutless excuses for americans that would run in the face of an enemy. they are the people that hide behind the veil of freedom to curse the ones that gave it to them. they are the ones that said "i did nothing when they came"
they will ask where that quote came from...they know nothing of history...just what some liberal professor indoctrinated them with in college.

[revlin1]

So proud of DH and youngest son who are Army contractors right now in Baghdad/they are doing what they feel is right and helping where needed/I back them up and wait for the day we will all be back home in good ole USA....it's the stars and stripes..land of the free..yup, that's the motivation...believe it or not!

[sandrose65]

By the way, if ya'll would like to see all of the video of Robert Rowe in Iraq as he looks at our shot up truck the next day, you can go to YouTube and find it at http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=whiterose65.
This is the full video that was shown in the report.

[im3000]

Why are Americans working in Mess-o-potamia anyways? There are plenty of unfilled trucking jobs in the States & Iraqis know how to drive trucks already. It is not patriotic to take these jobs at all, a true patriot would be solving the internal problems of the USA.

[revlin1]

It is amazing that many Americans at home don't realize that many, many other Americans are needed-- when our military deploys, to help out in a war zone. This has always been the case and the jobs are honorable, difficult, tireless & oftentimes thankless. Thank goodness it is a VERY patriotic thing to do...Most ALL of us know that.

[sandrose65]

With all the unemploymnet and people on welfare, why don't those people train and become truck drivers and help fill the need, while those of us that have experience support our troops?

[sunshine_2]

revlin1
"It is amazing that many Americans at home don't realize that many, many other Americans are needed-- when our military deploys, to help out in a war zone. This has always been the case ..."

I do not know what history books you have been reading. There is a vast differnece Between a Civilian Government Employee and a Contractor. American has not "Always been" sending "Contractors" into War Time areas wher the Battle lines are not defined. This is a Grand Overstatement.
Previous Wars had Defined lines of engagement, even the unconventional Vietnam War. Iraq is far different in that there are no battle lines and not "Real Safe Zones".
In Past Wars, Civilian Support Forces were used behind the lines and in very minimla support roles.
This Civilian Contract Assisted Support Force, is almost like a "Mercernary Force" filling the Military Needs America is unwilling to "Draft". Many, not all, went over for the $$$ not for partiotism, and very few return for additionl tours. If they want aid, benefits and medical rehab ect... seek it from their employer's not the Government.
We can't get Enough Men In Uniform To Deploy where they are needed ... so the Many of the Same Service Men and Women keep Re-deploying again and again ... Butyou think Civilians should go and risk their life in areas that can not be "controled".

Put your name on the list ... and let us see you sacrafice .. For Patriotism!!
Talking about someone else going over is easy!!

[sunshine_2]

sandrose65, badfish1955, revlin1:

I do not question your Patriatism, or your thoughts behind why "some people" serve this "Contractor" need. But Most Seek Short Singel Tours ... For Profit ... and did not know the Real Danger. Many quit "early" when they realized there were no "combat lines" and they mightactually get shot or abducted.
However, if you believe in it so much, I can only assume you are still Serving In Iraq, not just recruiting more ... war profiteers. If you are not still "serving" then explain why not, or when you intend to "Return".

I served 21 years in the Active Armed Forces and was in Iraq I, I was deployed throught many places in the world that took me away from my family to "Serve My Country" at the call of the President. That is what Servicemen are supposed to do. To Try to Equate An American Service Member with a "War Contractor" is, in my opinion. a discredit to the Servicemen and women who did not wait for "The Price To Be Right".

[sunshine_2]

bf0526:
"Our own government found a way to shrink military spending by eliminating backup support. Now corporations have moved in to fill those needs. "
When I served in the Army We Had Sufficient Soilders to do the work in the Suport of the Fighting Forces.... None of them were paid one Dollar More then the Fighting Soilders.
America cut our Armed Forces too thin, and now Big Business has found a Major Role in Patriotic Profiting.
How did this "sliming down of the Military" assist in saving money .... we are now paying contractors more thenwe pay the servicemen and women that did the same job ... and were as armed as the Fighting Forces.
It just goes to prove a Point: Our Armed Services are Stretched to Thin ... supplementing them with War Profiting Big Business... is a bandaid fix.
I don't buy the "Veterans, too old to serve" line, most signed the "Contract" for the money, some for a believe it was "serving" or for a "9/11 Popular View", but most had no idea they would be in the middle of the dangerouos war without war zones. Becasue Bush already said, "Mission Accomplished". So that meant it was "reconstruction time."

[sunshine_2]

sandrose65 " ....shut the hell up and enjoy the freedom that the troops and the contractor have given you! "



No Conteractor Or Major Corporation has Given me any Freedom. Any Contractor/Agent of a Corporation who believes his "job" has paid for any part of Americas Freedom, because he "worked during this war" is very badly mistaken.
America was Free Before You went to Iraq, and would remain free if you did not ever go there. However, the Servicemen and Women, who serve regardless of Popularity or Profit, they actually shed blood for Freedom. To them, the Troops, America owes a great debt. If you are not a Department of Defence Civil Service Employee, you dont rate the same recognition as our Troops. You Serve At the Pleasure of the Corperation, Not the Presiident, and for alot more money. Be Lucky you got home alive.

[feelfree1]

I feel sorry for our troops. Caught up in the most disgraceful military misadventure that our country has ever faced, with zero chance of achieving anything resembling "victory".

Fortunately, many of our bravest and brightest soldiers are refusing to participate in the illegal U.S. war of aggression against the people of Iraq. They are the only true U.S. military heroes of this conflict, in my opinion.

These "contractors", on the other hand, have actively sought to profit from this shameful debacle, and I won't be wasting much sympathy on these people- aside from the ones who acted out of pure desperation, and regret their poor decision.

[javajana]

I have a question.....If these companies would of refused the contract "BIDS our goverment" put out....then what would of happened? A DRAFT? Just so you know, I was paid, being an E6...during the Clinton Days, $35,000 to get out of the military due to downsizing! It was a nice down payment on my new house! Talk about who's in it for the MONEY! Thank goodness these BIDS came about, or I might of been called back in! There is a much bigger picture here, you just ain't found it yet!

[javajana]

Remember this story... "What if they had a war and nobody came?" This was the highlight during the Clinton Days..."Military Retirement Reform Act-1986" or called "golden handcuffs."

That is why the goverment had contractor bids for Logistic support for our military, whom most by the way are, these retired vets who go to Iraq as a contractor.

It kind of makes you wonder why they were not called back in? makes you wonder why they would rather pay a Corp. big bucks, but then again, remember NOM, answers that question.

[lrnnyaeger]

Two words for these
contractors, CARPET BAGGERS.
Two more words, WAR PROFITEERS.
Many of them are working side by side with our soldiers. Did they mention they are making a
"little more than soldiers pay".

These are opportunists and not patriots. They are a big part of the "Military Industrial War Complex" and have every reason to support the Bush "Stay the Course" Doctrine .. No War.. No Money...

[cbse3]

When ever there is a war or a military action, there will always be those companies, defense contractors, large and small businesses which will benifit throughout the many phases of the rippling economy. So why not increase the war pay for the military and or give them other perks and benifits as our corporate managers enjoy. It's a arogrant shame that our leadership, think that they can actually win this war, and convince all the people in that area of the world....which have been fighting for thousands of years.... that democracy will work and everyone will live happyly ever after

[javajana]

cbs3,

I agree our military needs better pay and benefits, maybe then more will join or rejoin. We should not enter into a WarZone, or what ever our govement calls this, without the necessary back up, which should be Military personel ONLY, those with years of training!

Who would of thought that our goverment would be Bidding out contracts to give logistical support to our military in a WAR! Leaving many American with broken dreams! If a corporation can lure many with promisses of big bucks, then you would think our Goverment could do the same! Look how much they are paying for these contracts! Money should go to the Military.