“General, I know you’re not as naive about political matters as you pretended this morning, but I’m not as curmudgeonly as I might appear, either. I just might surprise you with my, shall we say, private beliefs regarding the current situation. I thought it would help if we could get together, out of the public eye, and discuss the matter.” Culpepper reached into a drawer to the side of his desk and retrieved a clear plastic document protector, about a half-inch thick with documents, placing it on his desk top.
“Let me try to sum up why I asked you to meet with me this afternoon. As is the case in any war in world history, there are devious factions in society that would use any crisis, our current predicament included, to enhance their own objectives. Translated, that means ‘build their bank accounts,’ General. War profiteers. Scum of the earth, if you ask me, and dishonorable to their respective nations in time of crisis. As we both know, there are some Iraqis who are more wealthy today than Saddam was before the war. The same thing will happen in America with this latest invasion of our shores. I hope, General Austin, that you and I can form an alliance against them, but my opening gambit this morning was necessary to renew my well-established ‘anti-administration’ bona fides. The people we’re dealing with are concerned, with good reason, that the current administration will not favor their plans for increased profitability. From what I’ve seen of President Snow and some of his cabinet-level appointments, yourself included,” he chuckled, “they’re probably right. Oh, they shield their plans with verbiage of patriotism, honor, security for the nation, etcetera, but it’s all… what did you call my harangue this morning? Hyperbole?”
The crusty old senator, a veteran of many such clandestine political conspiracies, chuckled for several moments. “Perhaps I laid it on a bit thick in my opening monologue, and, given my history in the Senate, I’ve already confirmed my anti-administration stance. Your walk-out disrupted that plan rather quickly, but we can both thank Senator McKenzie for saving the day. A very astute woman. As to my true intentions, perhaps you should ask President Snow to have a quiet word with President Steadman, my Democratic cohort in many a clandestine battle, before condemning me completely.”
Austin nodded his understanding. “Perhaps we both were grandstanding a bit this morning, Senator. ‘ Public performance often belies private action,’” he said, quoting a phrase from Senator Culpepper’s recent political treatise.
Culpepper grinned at the reference. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. You’re smarter, politically speaking, than you pretend.” He then turned his attention to Pug Connor. “Son, it speaks highly that General Austin brought you with him to this private meeting, and I’m going to infer from his decision that he trusts both your integrity and your confidentiality. Unless informed otherwise,” he said, glancing toward Austin, “I’m going to proceed on that assumption. I’m playing a dangerous game here, General Connor. Perhaps not as life-threatening as some of the missions I’ve learned you’ve undertaken, but potentially as damaging, politically speaking.”
Noticing Pug’s surprised look, Culpepper laughed. “Yes, son, I try to learn as much about those appearing before my committee as I can, and I’m certainly impressed with your military exploits before you landed behind a desk. I read your complete file when your name came before the Senate for confirmation as a general officer. Despite the.. hyperbole… we are careful who we promote to flag officer rank.
“The Navy Cross doesn’t display as prominently when the recipient is attired in civilian clothing, but believe me, I’m highly impressed with what I know about you. Our common enemy, General Connor-and I’m speaking of the war profiteers, not the terrorists-don’t fight in the same way as your former opponents. Even the current terrorists, as cowardly as they are to be shooting innocent civilians, are more prepared to do battle than the culprits I’m talking about. Terrorists are prepared to die for their cause. These greedy insiders are only prepared to kill, not to die. Be that as it may, I trust I can rely on your discretion regarding this discussion? We must keep it between just the three of us.”
“I’m learning by the minute, Senator,” Pug said with a smile, “and I believe I’m under the tutelage of another master teacher this morning. I’ve learned that being under General Austin’s command carries a different kind of danger, but I’m finding it can be more intimidating than facing an AK-47, if you understand what I mean.”
Culpepper laughed boldly, a bit more vocal in his outburst. “I do indeed, son, I do indeed. My committee has massacred many a person across a green felt tablecloth. Now, General, before we get to the meat of our discussion, tell me what you know about PSC’s, private security companies.”
Austin hesitated only a moment. “I know they’ve taken on an increasingly larger role in our overseas government operations, especially what used to be referred to as BG, or bodyguard security work. Beyond that, if you’re referring to any covert military operations, domestic or international, I’ve not queried into that area, not in the short time I’ve served in Homeland Security. I gather from your comments that I better open my eyes a bit.”
“Wide open, General, wide open. They’re making inroads that would astonish the most ardent follower of our military posture. And, to be fair, they serve a very important purpose to meet our security needs, especially with the all-volunteer military we’ve had since we ended the draft. However, for about the past ten years, they’ve been seeking to change the dynamics and especially the scope of that relationship. Are you familiar with a firm called SI? Strategic Initiatives is the formal name. John Harford is the principal owner, a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger.”
“Absolutely. I’ve met with Harford and some of his key staff. The State Department and Homeland Security have a long-standing contract with them to provide security for traveling diplomats, especially for overseas meetings in hazardous countries.”
“Exactly. But they don’t limit their involvement to personal security missions. They’re much more involved in operational elements than meets the eye, covert as well as publicly bid contract work. I meet on a regular basis with two of the principals of SI. They now account for nearly twenty percent of duties that used to be performed exclusively by the military. Bit by bit, they’ve been reducing their reporting relationship to the Pentagon and cultivating a direct link with Congress. Simply stated, they want to work for the people they can buy. That does not usually include the Joint Chiefs of Staff or senior generals and admirals at the Pentagon. These officers are not all innocent, however, since SI fills their command structure with retired flag officers and generals, some colonels, most of whom were favorably disposed to SI when awarding prior contracts. But again, I suspect that you’re more aware of this development than you’ve let on.”
“Let’s just say the entire military concept has changed dramatically during my thirty-eight-year tenure, Senator,” Austin replied.
Culpepper again looked at Connor. “Pardon us, son, while the general and I go down memory lane for a few moments. You might actually learn something yourself in the process. General, you joined the Air Force in what, the late sixties?”
“1964, actually. Air Force Academy, class of 1968,” Austin replied.
“Do you have any idea how many AFSC’s, Air Force Specialty Codes, or career fields, existed in the active duty cadre at that time?”
“Actually, I don’t, Senator, but I think I know where this is going. Over the intervening forty years, the military has moved nearly fifty percent of those job classifications to civilian contractors who perform the job. We have far fewer military job designations today than we did in the sixties.”
“Exactly, and the same has happened in each of the other armed services. If the military were called upon today to be self-sufficient, they’d lack the experienced troops to perform all these support functions. During my brief stint in the Army… back in the ‘old’ days, General Connor, I was told it takes about four and half support troops to keep one combat soldier on the front lines. The Air Force is closer to eight support people for every flight crew member. And yes, General Connor, I know that every Marine is a rifleman first,” he said, allowing another small laugh to escape. “But as regards the force structure, do my statistics conform to your understanding, Mr. Secretary?”