Contractors In Iraq Are Targets For Attack

(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.

[infantry13]

I served ten years in the US Army, in addition to deploying in the Gulf War. Yes I was also one of so called contractors that many of you seem to have so much knowledge about. It truly amazes me how much alot of you think you actually know about the situation in regards to the military and contractors. You get your dialy info from the media and then go out and use that info like it's gospel. Are you actually there side by side with military personnel and contractors. Do you actually know thjat evne though there have been a few minor incidents, the overall relationship between military personnel on the ground and contractors is a great bond? Why and how you say?..Mostly because the majority of contractors are retired or former military themselves. I can almost bet, that many of the comments mentioned here are by people who were "too priveledged" to head to a recruiting station after high school, raise their hand and take the oath and dawn a uniform, but because it seems popular, you jump on the band wagon and run your mouths about things that you only hear from CNN and or FOX. How many of you actually know that contractors have been used in times of war since WWII? Not many I bet, and to call people like me a profiteer or unpatriotic, how dare you? Unless you've been in that position, KEEP YOUR MOUTH closed, or get better educated on the subject. I wore a uniform for ten years and in the event I saw a soldier in need to include engaged in hostilities, I would assist without thought or regret, even though I didn't have to. So don't tell me we're in it for the money..It's called a Brotherhood, but again unless you're a part of it, you wouldn't know!!!!

[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.

[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

[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...

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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, 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".