Private Contractors are employed more in combat operations of the 21st century than at any other time in the history of the United States military. Although not a new phenomenon, the prominent rise of private contractors and their integral role in national defense and foreign policy indicates a significant shift in how the government conducts war. Understanding the rise of this new dynamic in war and the contributing factors are essential to the operational planner as future conflicts will likely continue to incorporate both uniformed and contracted personnel, thus necessitating greater integration into the planning process. This study seeks to impart upon that need by analyzing the role of private military and security contractors in Operation Enduring Freedom through an existing framework of microeconomic principles of supply-demand theory by looking at specific conceptual variables to determine the relationship and influence on the industry's growth.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)