Military Contractors

WASHINGTON (CN) - The Department of Defense has distanced itself from private military contractors such as Blackwater USA, and Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root.

Although the contractors' employees perform functions similar to those of military personnel, the regulations emphasize that the employees are not "in active duty or service" of the military or "military support," but are "civilians authorized to accompany U.S. Armed Forces." Under the regulation, a contractor can request from the military for any of its employees to carry and use a weapon, and the contractor is responsible for ensuring that the employee is trained to operate the weapon safely, to use force appropriately and to comply with law and agreements. A contractor also must inform its employees that they may be criminally prosecuted or sued under U.S. or host nation laws for inappropriate use of force. Click herefor details and other new regulations and notices.

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