Military outsourcing reached a peak in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and many experts agree that the number of private contractors, and their percentage as the number of troops in-country, will continue to rise. In fact, the statistics indicate that the DoD is becoming increasingly dependent on military contractors. In Between 1992 and 1997, when most contractors essentially played support …

After decades of categorizing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder alongside concussions and sensory processing “disorders,” scientists are finally starting to understand that one of the most common war wounds in Iraq and Afghanistan is every bit as physical as a gunshot wound. Early Background When the psychological effects of battle first became serious in World War I (earlier, in 1904, the …

As the Obama Administration winds down in the coming months, much ink will be spilled in the discussion of the President’s legacy in foreign affairs in general and military matters in particular. One thing is beyond dispute: Today’s military is more dependent than ever on military contractors, especially in the “overseas contingency operations” (DoD-speak for “wars”) in Afghanistan and Iraq. …

Various U.S. government agencies continue to award huge development and security contracts to protect and expand American interests in the Middle East and North Africa regions. These projects create economic opportunities for thousands of individuals, but also carry substantial risk of injury. The U.S. Agency for International Development announced that it will provide $68 million in emergency assistance to Sudan …

Before they arrive in-country, either in a relatively quiet place like Diego Garcia or an extremely hazardous war zone like Afghanistan, what processes apply to military contractors, and what exactly do they do during their deployments? Once upon a time, most military contractors were Special Operations veterans that some people aptly described as “door-kickers.” But shortly thereafter, given the increased …

Before private military contractors and other overseas workers confront the Iraq War, they must first emerge victorious in the Paperwork War. After they receive provisional employment offers, which probably means they have already provided a considerable amount of background materials to their prospective employers, candidates must normally complete the Office of Personnel Management’s Standard Form 86 Questionnaire for National Security …

Combat-related Traumatic Brain Injuries, which are particularly widespread in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, may soon be easier to diagnose and treat, thanks to an advanced imaging system currently under development. Doctors can use Diffusion Tensor Imaging, which is similar to an MRI, to diagnose and treat returning combat veterans who suffer concussions, or Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries. With over …

A former military contractor who was seriously hurt near Tel Aviv is now fighting to obtain needed cash benefits from his insurance company, while he struggles to recover from his injuries. The now 50-year-old Willie Myers spent years in Afghanistan and Iraq; many of his assignments involved protection details for visiting dignitaries like Condoleezza Rice, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and …

A new accord between the United States and its erstwhile colonial possession may place American forces less than 190 miles from the hotly-disputed, and perhaps aptly named, Mischief Islands in the South China Sea, raising the issue of compensation for injured contractors in this area. In the 1990s, China and the Philippines almost came to blows over this island group, …

Most homicide detectives would agree that the first 48 hours are critical to the investigation. Even though the trial may not take place for months or even years after the fact, many murder cases are won or lost during this initial time window. A Defense Base Act claim is very much the same. Many injured Afghanistan and Iraq contractors have …

Researchers hope that, in addition to making video games more realistic, virtual reality (VR) technology may soon be able to help doctors diagnose brain injuries that contractors suffer in Iraq. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a head-mounted eye tracking device from SyncThink, a Boston-headquartered engineering firm. The EYE-SYNC uses virtual reality technology to measure and record impaired eye …

Whether you are attracted to populated areas like Japan and Italy, isolated places like Diego Garcia and Kwajalein, or hot spots like Iraq or Afghanistan, there are a number of things to consider before you pack your bags. First and foremost, there is the matter of actually finding a job. Start by asking your current employer if there are any …