Shocking Hazing at U.S. Embassy in Kabul

(CBS)  On August 4, rockets land near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. On August 15, a suicide bomber hits close by killing or wounding 98. The attacks punctuate the dangers faced by hundreds of American diplomats and staff who work there. Yet some of the Embassy's own security guards are alleging shocking work conditions that put American lives at risk.

In numerous e-mails, the guards describe a crisis in discipline and morale, understaffing, sleep deprivation, "threats and intimidation." One guard refers to a group of guards and supervisors from the security contractor ArmorGroup as "sexual predators, deviants running rampant."

Guards provided dozens of graphic photos and videos depicting shocking scenes of hazing and humiliation by superiors, most of them too lewd to show. The guards recount a climate of fear and coercion where those who refuse to participate are retaliated against, even fired.

The State Department contracts with a private security firm - ArmorGroup North America, owned by Wackenhut. ArmorGroup employs 450 guards at the Kabul Embassy - two-thirds from Nepal and India, the rest from the U.S. and other English-speaking nations. Fifteen guards have brought their concerns about embassy security to the watchdog group Project on Government Oversight, reports CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.

"These people have to rely on and trust each other for their lives, and you have a total breakdown in that trust, a complete breakdown in the command structure," said Danielle Brian, with the Project on Government Oversight.

Records show the State Department has warned the ArmorGroup about security problems for at least two years, yet renewed its contract as recently as July.

"What you have is sort of a predatory mentality where you've got supervisors that are humiliating the new recruits coming in," Brian said.

More about the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan:
Images of alleged hazing (Graphic Content)
Graphic Content: Additional video of Kabul hazing
Group: U.S. Embassy security in Kabul risky
Letter to Sec. Clinton describing abuses (.pdf)

Tuesday, a State Department spokesman seemed at a loss to explain, but promised a full investigation.

"These are extremely serious questions that you're asking," said Ian Kelly. "The security of our colleagues serving overseas is an extremely, extremely serious matter."

Whackenhut, told CBS News it won't have a comment until Wednesday. In the meantime, Sen. Claire McCaskill has called on the State Department to open an investigation into its contract with the firm.

[prwagner3]

Looks like fun to me!

[fariborzzak]

Another scandal for USA.

[toldyouso29]

Anybody else notice the string hanging from the butt of the guy pointing his finger? (On the left) those are ben wah balls, usually used to be put in women to increase orgasm. They can be inserted anally or vaginally, when guys use them they are usually gay.

[nirak2-2009]

These guys should give Americans a better reputation around the world
NOT

[OTerr]

These soldiers are under a tremendous amount of pressure. There's nothing here that looks as bad as most frat-house parties!

[AOCGUY]

These are not soldiers - they are civilian contractors.

[toldyouso29]

by krotec54 September 2, 2009 4:59 PM EDT
I thought gays were Democratic voters.

Only the outwardly political ones. The rest are Republicans who are usually married but SECRETLY engage in homosexual encounters in bathrooms, seek out meth laced prostitutes, diddle pages, have **** parties in DC and/ or rape little boys.

[toldyouso29]

we understand how there could be so many perverted mercs and contractors hired by Bush--but now Obama needs to explain why, after discovering the freak--a -leaks fukpalooza--his people renewed their contract.

As an aside, never hire any firm named Whack the nuts--it goes without saying that they will be a bunch of pervs.

[mottasa-2009]

This is exactly what happens when you get a bunch of "gayboy" supervisors who prey on and intimidate those that they supervise. This is a shining example why these types should not be allowed to legally serve in the military. They should all be fired.

[robcik2000]

Looks like a bunch of drunks having fun. I hope this whole 'victim' culture is just a fad.

[resipsaloquitor]

Let's put all the people how oppose this behavior in Baghdad to guard the embassy. Let them fear, every minute, for their life, detached from everyone they love, and the safety of their homes, and families.
It's always best to judge others when you've never traveled the same road. God Bless them for Duty and Honor!!

[AOCGUY]

God Bless them? These are not American soldiers, they are deviant contractors who are there for the money and whose actions will increase hostility against our service men and women who are not involved in this gross behavior.