Introduction

            The “American way” of life has greatly and, some might say, catastrophically changed since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Since that fateful September day the entire infrastructure has been reshaped to prevent further attacks on American soil.  Lawmakers, on all levels of government, have pushed through, with little difficulty, legislative policies, created agencies, allocated hundreds of billions of dollars of tax payer money all in the hopes of preserving and ensuring the safety of the American people at home and abroad. All of this legislation, albeit often resisted by many in the form of formal protest, has created a great many of jobs and has helped to stimulate the military, both private and government ran, industrial complex. The various agencies and companies, which have been either created or expanded, that are tasked with and granted contracts for these protective services have helped to stimulate a fledgling and unstable economy. Whether the sustainability of this created/expanded sector is possible and its cost, both financial and social, are acceptable is under much speculation and discussion. This blog aims to examine both the growth and the effects of this vast and ever expanding military complex.  We aim to explain the financial commitments, social implications, and cultural impact these policies and agencies have had and will continue to have on American people and their way of life.

The union of the national military and the private sector of production has created a nearly iron clad unification that has placed a strangle hold on the economy. This places the American public in quite a predicament because it redirects national interests in a manner that makes war seem essential by allowing military spending to be innate in the GDP. A perpetual state of panic allows for the media to “inform” and promote ideology that seeps into the national subconscious and creates a Need for national defense. The relationship has been forged in blood and currency, both from the same source, the American citizens. After the budget in U.S. defense spending was increased, deciding to focus on strict measures rather than focusing on creating jobs, rather than focusing on having a manageable debt and focusing on stimulating the economy. The smaller organizations were told to follow the new strict regulation and pay for the fees, leading to unmanageable costs and ultimately filing for bankruptcy or subsequently laying off employees in order to stay afloat. Due to the increased threat of terrorism, and other non-state orientated threats, the need for security has increased in these hostile areas. Since 9/11, the use of Private Military Companies has grown considerably in order to provide security and other services to aid in the military effort. Despite the social implications of using these companies, they have been an invaluable resource, especially in areas where the actual military might not be the best fit. Because of this, it has been one of the fastest growing industries in the world, with companies making billions of dollars. This blog will focus on PMC growth post 9/11, and the subsequent job growth as a result.