Reply #12: Besides the greater cost, there are other issues which should...

[harlinchi]

...prevent us from using private companies to perform missions usually done by the military.

If I'm a PVT or PFC or SPC in a transportation company and am ordered to drive my deuce in a convoy from point A to point B, even though danger is anticipated, I snap to, salute, say yessir (or yes SGT, as the case may be)and proceed to complete the mission, regardless of hostile fire, etc. If I'm a private citizen working for a private company and I receive the same mission from my supervisor, expecting hostile fire, I'm gonna be inclined to call in sick, get a headache, say its too rainy or too sunny, say my mom is calling me and needs me or say anything to avoid the danger. The fact that ammo, food, mail or laundry might not be delivered on time wouldn't concern me as much as my safety. A Private First Class must go and do the mission; a private citizen has no such imperative.