as for the mercenaries, here's one prime problem.
some of these guys, for a few weeks work, make $1000 or more a week. they do a specific job, and then are back out again.
if they get caught up in a firefight, and enlisted guys also get involved, where do the private contactors' loyalties lie?
they're here for the paycheck, and to survive for the few week period they'll be around.
there's no mystery about any antagonism between them and enlisted guys, who have different priorities, missions, and commanders, not to mention compensation.
another strong point is that a lot of these enlisted guys signed up for guard or reserve duty, and then ended up going halfway across the world for the furtherance of American power and influence, some dying.
they get paid miniscule, and their families are suffering, and suicide rates are high, while morale is low.
whine about kos all you want - he's really brought attention to an issue that deserves consideration, and he never meant anything personal towards these particular individuals.
just a classic antagonism between enlisted guys and paid private warriors with differing missions and ultimate loyalties.
enlisted guys have to look out for each other. who knows what the private guys will do...