Anybody who delves into the dark history of post-World War II conflict in Africa runs across Executive Outcomes. The outfit formed by Eeben Barlow was the OG of private military contractors, and was treated with a great deal of suspicion and hostility. Things maybe look a bit different now, as PMCs have been normalized after two decades of the Global War On Terror. As Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater (also treated with a great deal of hostility and suspicion) has observed, situations like the immediate need to evacuate Westerners from Khartoum when the latest round of civil war blew up in Sudan point to the benefits of having PMCs with air assets available.
I have a strong hunch that as the post-War international order continues to unravel — accelerated but not caused by the foreign policy direction of the Trump Administration — PMCs are going to have a major role to play in the New-New World Order.
Anyways… there’s a new doco on Executive Outcomes from The Front:
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I have followed the travails of Matt Bissonnette with some interest for the better part of a decade.
The former U.S. Navy SEAL was part of Operation Neptune Spear, which took out Osama bin Laden. He wrote two books — No Easy Day and No Hero — and got in a HUGE heap of trouble for it. The government came down hard on him because No Easy Day was not vetted — according to Bissonnette, due to epically bad legal advice — and the SEAL community has made him persona non grata. Notably, Jack Carr has stood by his friend, which carries weight with me. I believe Bissonnette when he says that he wrote the books to inspire others the way he’d been inspired by books about the SEALs in Vietnam. I found No Hero particularly engaging, as it offers a lot of mindset and skill-development insight that is useful to a civilian.
I wrote way back in 2016 that the government’s vendetta against him smacks of the wheels of a vast, vindictive bureaucracy crushing a maverick — and that kind of shit sends a shiver of existential horror through my soul. Seems even more out of line today, when everybody and their goldfish is telling their who-shot-John tales on podcasts and the like with no apparent consequences.
Anyways, Bissonnette is coming out with a new book to tell his side of this part of the story — and obviously make some money to pay off crushing debt. It’s not due out until later this year. Has to be vetted, you know…
There’s also a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for debt-relief.
I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll probably say it a million more—I didn’t write No Easy Day to portray myself as some sort of badass operator or to etch my name in the history books. My sole purpose was to give credit to the SEAL team operators and army airmen who carried out the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden. Believe me, the last thing I wanted was any recognition or to become the center of attention, hence the disguise and pseudonym. I’ve always tried to avoid the spotlight, preferring to stay in the shadows and let my actions speak for themselves.
If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be reading this book, and I wouldn’t be telling this story. Mark Owen would be long gone, faded into obscurity, completely forgotten. You certainly never would have heard of Matt Bissonnette. However, it seems as if that wasn’t God’s plan.
Now, after a decade of threats, lawsuits, stress, anxiety, and drama, I’ve finally reached the end of my battle with the very government I swore to serve and protect. The end result of that battle? A payment plan requiring me, over the course of the next 15 years, to repay the United States more money than I earned in my entire military career. All for writing No Easy Day.
With no other options, it’s time to write No Easy Way and share an even more important story.
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I know what you’re thinking. Jim has a “type.” Heh! Guess so.
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Check out these magnificent cast portraits from 1923, taken with a period-correct wide format Graflex camera.
Matthew says
Have you read Sean McFate’s The Modern Mercenary? It’s the best book on PMCs I’ve read. (Though I haven’t read too much on that.)
I think that a lot the hostility to PMCs came from the fact they are a mixture of two things the left hates: capitalism and the military. A lot of left leaning people react negatively to this. Right leaning people seem to embrace both without thought, of course. The reality is complex.
There of course have been mercenaries from the beginning of time so there here whether we like them or not.
Craig Rullman says
All of this talking out of class–very vogue as SOF cats stepped out of the shadows and sought compensation for their tales–doesn’t portend well. I get the impulse, but a course correction is overdue. The ethos used to be that those things were kept in-house. When that flipped, all of the public shit-talking and lobbing of accusations started–which helps nothing and makes the whole community look childish, petty, and stupid–regardless of motive. Prince’s recent interview with the guy from Hillsdale makes some very good points about PMC’s and/or a more ubiquitous Guard vs. the bloated and dysfunctional standing military. Worth a look.
Gregory A Walker says
Jim,
The individual on the left in the EO picture is Al Venter, quite the persona in the world of mercenaries and long time Soldier of Fortune contributor as well as an accomplished author in his own right. Al was living across the bridge in Washington State when I was living / working in Astoria. Quite the character and today living in England and still writing.
The PMC role became an important factor in the U.S. defense posture with the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Literally written as policy into our overall defense structure. We were 36,000 “boots on the ground” short and the Pentagon refused to provide the needed additional forces for OIF – which were primarily needed for armed security in the major cities captured / occupied as well as for VIP PSD details. Blackwater was one of the first with its detail to protect then AMB Bremmer in Baghdad and throughout the country; right on its heels was Custer-Battles, MVM, Triple Canopy and then a host of non-U.S. PMCs such as Olive, Aegis (Tim Spicer, CEO, formally of Sandline) and others.
By early 2004 there were 60 PMCs operating in Iraq with additional in Kuwait and Afghanistan. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) established a coordination cell in Baghdad for all PMCs and weekly meetings were held to share information, intelligence, and developments affecting the PMC Presence in conjunction with Coalition and U.S. forces whom the PMCs were operating alongside.
By mid-2004, the New Iraqi Government (the Transfer of Authority from CPA/Bremmer to the NIG took place on June 28, 2004. The NIG began the process of formally licensing PMCs in Iraq so as to gain control over their operations and actions as well as gaining financial compensation for their Presence. This was driven, in part, because the PMCs such as Blackwater had begun bringing in 3rd World “mercs” from Africa (Uganda, for example) and Chile given they worked for 1/3rd of what European / U.S. PMC contractors did. Quality became highly questionable and the Iraqis were fed up with the “loose cannon” actions of far too many PMCs to include random shootings for the least of reasons, many of these directed at Iraqi civilians on the highways and roadways throughout Iraq.
This significant problem was offset by Iraqi PMCs coming into being as well as Kurdish PMCs such as Falcon Iraq.
Still, U.S. PMCs maintained their Presence. Such as providing security details and manpower for the newly established U.S. embassy in Baghdad (1500 contractors) and elsewhere. In Afghanistan, this was also the case with Blackwater converting itself under Erik Prince to Frontier Resource Group (FSG) – FSG provided security services for the Chinese Communist Government in Africa as well as, after our withdrawal from Afghanistan, for the Chinese after they were permitted by the Taliban Government to occupy and operate out of Bagram Air Base (which we abandoned). Although Prince denied this U.S. Special Forces and SF veterans taking part in rescuing Afghan allies, while monitoring Bagram up close and personally, confirmed FSG was indeed manning the gates and perimeter of the air base even as the Chinese moved in.
Jack Murphy covered this on his podcast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na3J_pnM35I
Finally, the first U.S. “PMC” was Vance International which began U.S. centric operations in the mid-1980s under retired FBI agent and son-in-law to President Gerald Ford. Employees were drawn from the U.S. military as well as including former U.S. expats who had fought with the Rhodesian Army, the SADF, and the French Foreign Legion.
This is an excellent overview about PMCs within the U.S. Defense posture – well worth the read – https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/private-military-companies/
JimC says
This is great stuff Greg. Thank you.
Gregory A Walker says
Regarding Bissonette –
Military biographies / autobiographies to include those coming from the Special Operations / Special Forces communities world-wide are generational and a critical aspect of preserving / correcting history.
Certainly Frontier Partisans has covered a number of such Works and continues to do so.
Literary efforts such as Colonel Roger Donlon’s 1965 classic “Outpost of Freedom” which details Donlon, the first MOH recipient of the VN war and his A-Team’s battle at Nam Dong. Colonel Donlon dedicated his story “To all those who gave their lives that we might keep ours”.
And MACV-SOG / CCN 1-0, David Maurer, and his 1986 milestone “The Dying Place”.
And former Sisters resident and legendary Navy SEAL Barry Enoch’s biography (1996) written first and foremost for his family and his grandchildren was well as for his close friend and SEAL Brother, Billy Machen, the first SEAL killed in action in VN (1966) titled “Teammates – SEALs at War”.
To name a few.
And there has long been a legal process for military authors to have their manuscripts, fiction or non-fiction, reviewed.
https://politicsbyothermeanscom.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/military-writers-pre-publication-security-review-guide.pdf
All current, former, and retired military personnel who have access to DoD information are required to submit material intended for public release for pre-publication review.
Bissonette ran afoul of this process with the expected outcome. On the other hand, both Barry Enoch and Michael Walsh (SEAL, 1995) both submitted their manuscripts to the appropriate office for review and abided by those concerns that were rendered before actual publication.
I did the same with my 1994 book “At the Hurricane’s Eye – U.S. Special Operations Forces from Vietnam to Desert Storm”. In that case I also enjoyed official PAO assistance from the 5th Special Forces Group, 160th SOAR, the 7th Special Forces Group, and the SEAL Command at Coronado, California. All wanted their stories told but in a manner that was accurate, true, but not compromising of security issues at the time.
For example, Richard “Dick” Marcinko’s first book (Rogue Warrior) was technically the first “tell all” account about Marcinko and the SEALs / SEAL Team SIX and Red Cell. The Navy went bonkers over its publication and Marcinko wisely converted his non-fiction first book into an action-adventure fictional series. However, after that any SEAL proposing to author or co-author a non-fiction book about his service in the Teams was fair game for the Navy’s legal folks. Some learned and did just fine – others ignored the warning or relied on bad advice and got hammered.
And from the PMC side of the house – Erik Prince has written/published two books and it is interesting to note the largest number of PMC books to date come from former Blackwater employees, many of whom are former U.S. Military.
Military books regardless of author or authors are a mainstay in the publishing world and are written, as in the cases of Barry Enoch and David Maurer and Roger Donlon, to honor, commemorate, and to correct what may be lost, forgotten, or at the time classified histories.
And whether a civilian writer or co-writer, or a retired or former SOF / SF veteran, there are rules, processes, and procedures that allow the stories to be told without compromising security issues.
And we are better off having such stories available to us – for example, it is uncountable the number of young men and women who joined the branch of service of their choice after reading a book by the heroes of WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, El Salvador, Urgent Fury, Just Cause, Afghanistan, Iraq, and other military campaigns / operations where duty, honor, and courage made the difference.
Craig Rullman says
We are certainly better off having the stories available. We are not better off to witness the mudslinging and public character assassination that now follows in short order–particularly among former teammates who go quarreling publicly about who shot Johnny etc. etc. There was a time that stayed in the house. Keeping it in the house was a source of pride. Now, it seems, it doesn’t, and it isn’t–at least not to the same degree. Entire podcast channels are devoted to chopping each other down at the knees. That sort of grandstanding is exceptionally damaging to the very community all of that book writing and movie making is meant to celebrate. Quiet remains the better part of professional.
Gregory A Walker says
There are certainly podcast hosts who take on issues and personalities that, as often as not, need to be addressed. The recent deep dive into Tim Kennedy is a good example –
Exposed for lying about valor awards and profiting from his lies –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NceB_FR74hQ
And the interview conducted with MSG Matt Livelsberger’s widow in the aftermath of his death in Las Vegas and the avalanche of simply bad information that came out regarding Matt –
Jennifer Davis – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kklJUzDTXjY&t=203s
And the SOG podcasts featuring SOG veterans like John “Tilt” Meyer whose work in the ongoing MIA/POW issue in SE Asia keeps this topic in the public eye –
“Tilt” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIyHAGTj6rg&t=128s
And SOGCast with its interviews such as this one with Nick Brokhausen.
Nick – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHSGiYOTlL0
And the very good interview with Marcus Luttrell by Joe Rogan –
Marcus – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZB8sB9HJUE
And the list goes on – to include my interview with Jack Murphy on the Teamhouse –
Greg – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiipwGNyiyg
In reality the majority of podcast interviews with SOF / SF now going back years are positive, insightful, dedicated to presenting historical truth, honoring of teammates, and geared toward the best SOF / SF has to offer.
One of my favorite interviews was with Dick Marcinko as conducted by Brandon Webb – this interview took place not long before Dick passed away and because of this we have Marcinko’s recollections and insights available to us.
Dick – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMK9zDUVR8M
And were it not for YouTube and podcasts we wouldn’t have this priceless interview with Major Dick Winters (Band of Brothers).
Winters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl4pDeERS0E
That being said – the term “Quiet Professionals” originated with the Army’s Special Forces. Since then others have used it since but it is first and foremost uniquely the brand of the Green Berets.
“The Quiet Professionals” – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/green-berets-the-quiet-professionals/
But as taught, passed down, and honored those of us who serve or have served with Special Forces understand we are to strive to be “quiet” – but we are not required to remain silent – especially when a wrong must be made right – a teammate unjustly accused of wrongdoing – or a fallen comrade “left behind” by politics and politicians.
As my former commander at USASOC and SOCSOUTH, and today a dear friend, Major General Kenneth R. Bowra (a legend in his own right) mentored us – our duty is to do the right thing…always. And Bowra walked the walk when he sponsored our combat awards and decorations campaign while at USASOC, submitting the appropriate documentation to the Department of the Army no fewer than three times in order to see the hard right done over the easy wrong by our injured, wounded, and KIA from All Services and their families…and the 75,000 Salvadorans killed during that 10-year civil war.
Arlington National Cemetery – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=a3uy8Ey23Is&t=15s
MG Bowra / Facing the Khmer Rouge – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdRFKNXctDA
I offer these examples far outweigh the far fewer episodes of “grandstanding” you mention – and serve to preserve our SOF / SF histories, warriors, and to promote all that is the best of what we have to offer going forward.
Coonholio says
Is Matt Bissonnette claiming that he didn’t know the rules or that he knew them and violated them anyway and now he has to suffer the consequences and we should all feel sorry for him? I’m picking up on the latter of the two being the real situation.
Let me help….. Navy SEAL with security clearances running out of his ears on a Top Secret mission decides to disclose what happened on said mission. Hmmm…. Did he fail to notice the word “secret”? I’m sure that word is somewhere in the NDAs he signed prior to the dozens of other secret missions he was on.
I think he got full of hubris and greed, saw the book as a path to wealth, and took a chance violating the rules. He knew what he was doing. He’s not dumb. He’s not a victim.
I don’t care who shot Bin Laden. Whoever it was probably shot a lot of other bad people in their career, too. The Seals are prima donnas. They should go back to being quiet professionals. Stop with the podcasts, ghost written autobiographies, and half-baked leadership books.