While US and NATO troops are fighting for their lives in Afghanistan, you can be rest assured that the US government have the best and the brightest manning the US Embassy in Afghanistan right?
Wrong. Under the fold: I give you the US Embassy, Afghanistan.
(Warning Images of a Sexual "Staff gone Wild" Nature)
All photo sources supplied by CBS News in the Slideshow Section of the Report
On August 4, rockets land near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. On August 15, a suicide bomber hits close by killing or wounding 98. The attacks punctuate the dangers faced by hundreds of American diplomats and staff who work there. Yet some of the Embassy's own security guards are alleging shocking work conditions that put American lives at risk.
Something tells me these "Security Guards" wouldn't be prepared for another Taliban rocket attack.
The report quotes an e-mail from a guard currently working for the contractor, describing scenes of guards and supervisors "peeing on people, eating potato chips out of [buttock] cracks" and drinking "vodka shots out of [buttock] cracks".
(Source Times Online (Times of London that is)
But hey maybe Afghanistan ain't as traditionally Muslim as I thought I mean this stuff looks kinda Mardi Gras right?
Of course this is what happens when you pay Private Military Contractors (PMC's) to do a soldiers job. I wonder how much extra cash the White House pays these "professional" mercenaries to guard the 1000 diplomats instead of regular US/NATO soldiers.
The report is based on e-mails, some of which describe the alleged abuse of Afghan nationals. Among those implicated are Britons employed by ArmorGroup North America, the contractor providing security at the embassy, where nearly 1,000 diplomats and support staff work.
Again Times of London piece.
Ok so I did some research on iHireLawEnforcement.com and found a job opening within ArmorGroup North America at the US embassy in Kabul !!!
Three job postings down is this
Job Title: Force Protection/Emergency Response Team
Company: ArmorGroup North America
Location: Kabul Afghanistan, ZZ
Description:
- US Embassy Kabul Afghanistan ($93K-$109K) ArmorGroup North America is looking for Embassy Security Force and Embassy Response Team candidates for our Kabul Embassy Security Force program in Afghanistan. What is the ArmorGroup Embassy Security Force Program? The primary mission of ArmorGroup North America in Afghanistan is to provide protection for United States personnel and U.S. Government employees and to protect the U.S. Embassy and diplomatic facilities and equipment from damage or loss. ArmorGroup North America is looking for Embassy Security Force personnel who possess a sense of pride in what they do and are looking for an opportunity to be part of history in the making. The Embassy Security Force Program is an opportunity to advance your career and to join an elite group of those who have taken the next steps in supporting the mission of the U.S. Government in Afghanistan. Life in Afghanistan is challenging and is not for all; however, for those who have what it takes to operate in a hazardous duty region, it can be one of the most personal and professionally rewarding experiences in a lifetime. What do we offer? Career Advancement Salary ranges from $93,330 - $109,000 per year (Salary determined by position) Lodging and meals provided Uniform, weapons, and personal protective gear issued Pre-deployment training Duty and housing on secure compounds 9 week on / 3 week off rotations with Roundtrip R&R ticket provided home Being a part of history Embassy Security Force Requirements: 5 years military/law enforcement/similar guard force experience 3 years experience as a supervisor, comparable to an NCO Minimum 1 year in a tactical unit a person may qualify for an ERT assignment. Additional Requirements Background investigation, pre-employment drug screening, and physical agility tests are conducted Moderate Risk Public Trust certification Will be subject to medical physicals Valid passport and Driver’s License Honorable Discharge
So these "professional" mercenaries get paid at least 93,000 dollars by the US Government to fuck up a job that US Soldiers could be doing competently for a fraction of the cost.
Looks like this whole war thing is pretty fun huh?
But don't despair this story has a happy ending
Records show the State Department has warned the ArmorGroup about security problems for at least two years, yet renewed its contract as recently as July.
As I always say it's all fun and games until someone blows up the US Embassy in Kabul because the security guards were licking each others nipples.
UPDATED: As Valtin points out in the comments:
Security contractors at the giant US Embassy in Kabul were accused yesterday of fostering a "Lord of the Flies environment" built on abuse and humiliating initiation rituals.
The allegations, made by the independent Project On Government Oversight, are contained in a report submitted to Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State. The State Department said that it was treating the allegations "very seriously".
The report is based on e-mails, some of which describe the alleged abuse of Afghan nationals.
It's does seem like a large break in the chain of command and that their could have been instances of people being forced into acts for promotional purposes at the Times article explains.
Also a good point Valtin raised that I forgot to include is that Hillary Clinton is looking into the reports.