Provide returning soldiers with support

By Glenn Leach, Davenport | Thursday, October 18, 2007

We have read about the contractor security companies used in Iraq, but not seen much about the factors that led to their use.

Despite the unprecedented use of National Guard and Reserve forces along with regular Army and Marines, there has not been a draft to provide manpower. Contractors provide specially trained “troops” focused on the specialized security

mission with more continuity than rotating military police units and other

sections of the military which may provide security.

These contractor “troops” are originally U.S. military members. After tours in the extreme conditions of Iraq or Afghanistan, they return to civilian life. What do they find? Help re-establishing an identity with family and friends, good jobs, access to education or training to help them acquire jobs, or other special assistance?

Too often the answer is no. For many, particularly younger men, with combat skills being their predominant skill and no significant opportunities here, they feel contracting out their skills, trading a chance of death or disabling injury for high pay is the logical answer.

The Minnesota National Guard has the first program in the nation, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, that addresses many of the issues of the returning guardsman. Something like this needs to be a nation program, with particular assistance in jobs and education.