The objective of the military is to engage the enemy and win the fight, irrespective of damage or casualties. This difference is a considerable one, our security operators address every need of their clients, from vehicle comfort, to water, and we even go as far as taking umbrellas should the client require one. The military provide no such attention, and of course the ISF has few luxuries that they could themselves provide an international client.
The second major difference is the cross-cultural integration PSC’s have with locals from remote areas. If we take Akkas for example, when the military deploy to this area, you may have a soldier from Basra, a soldier from Baghdad, a soldier from Diwaniyah, but you may not have a soldier from Al Qaim. When Al Sajer goes to Akkas it recruits from the local tribes and community, thus ensuring that the client’s security team is not just tactically aware but also ethically and culturally sound. This factor allows a private security team to be accepted by the locals of a particular area and in doing so mitigates many potential or harmful acts that may occur towards the military carrying out the same role.
The military, simply by being military representatives of the current Government can breed hostility in some cases. Some groups would attack them on sight as a means of striking at the system without any care or thought as to who they have in their vehicles or what mission they are conducting. PSC’s can establish themselves within the community and show that their clients are here to serve the community and better the lives of the residents, and not to bind them or enforce governmental policies on them.
PSC’s are by nature multinational. Whether it is at a ground level or a managerial one, they can relate to international clients and understand their requirements and needs. ISF are not and have little or no understanding of the International Community.
PSC’s must follow strict rules, not only those imposed by the MOI, but those requested by the client so that it may conform to its own International safety policies concerning the duty of care it has towards its staff. PSC’s are audited on the basis of best practice, their emergency procedures and tactical approach is well documented and agreed by the client before the commencement of operations.
PSC’s must have certain capabilities deployed at all times while supporting clients, satellite communications, radio and GSM communications, medical, advanced trauma care, satellite and GSM tracking, emergency and lifesaving equipment to name but a few. These capabilities are not only best practice but are also implied on the PSC by the client’s own insurance company and underwriters, so that the client has taken every necessary precaution to safeguard its operation, personnel or equipment from harm or disruption. If a PSC cannot provide them they will not be awarded the contract.
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