Federal Contractors

As a federal employee, you probably think that my view on contractors is dim and that I don't think any of the work should be contracted out. You're wrong. Contracting out work has resulted in some amazing accomplishments. Before we get into the advantages, we should discuss the necessities: There are small and large businesses that specialize in particular areas. Said businesses provide specialized products and services that we all rely on. There are a myriad of goods AND services that contractors provide to the government, so it would be impossible to provide a list. Let's just say that the government couldn't possibly survive without contractors providing support.

This leads to some of the amazing achievements that have been realized because of contracting. If it wasn't for contracting, nuclear power would never have become a reality. The sound barrier may not have been broken. The helicopter wouldn't have developed as fast as it did, nor would the airplane. And the list goes on. If it wasn't for contractors like Bethlehem shipbuilding, it is unlikely the 16" guns that were mounted on WW II battleships would have been developed in time to play an important part in winning the war. The M-1 Garand, once called the "greatest battle implement ever devised" by George S. Patton, was developed by a government employee (John Garand). It was manufactured by a then-government owned facility (Springfield Armory). But that is a very rare exception to the fact that most of the innovation in the military came from contractors. The most well-remembered example is John Browning. Designer of several automatic weapons for the U.S., his .50 caliber machine gun has been in service with the U.S. military for over 50 years, and his 1911 .45 caliber pistol is still fielded by military and police almost 100 years since it's initial production

But the biggest achievement was space flight. Sure, the Soviets were the pioneers of unmanned satellites and orbiting humans. But NASA's achievements in the 1960s were the results of concerted efforts between contractors and the government. North American built the Command and Service module; Grumman built the Lunar module; Boeing, North American, and Douglas all built the stages that made up the Saturn V. Not to mention the too-long-to-list roster of other contractors that made space exploration a reality.

Does the government do some things better than contractors? Indeed. We enforce the laws, deliver the mail, and guard the nation. And quite frankly, it takes sworn personnel to accomplish that. I would advocate against privatizing those functions that are necessary to ensure a safe, secure nation where freedom is not a privilege but a basic human right.

 But I am also smart enough to know that accomplishing this mission cannot be done without the support of expert contractors who share this desire. I submit that there is a definitive, crucial need for contractors. Without them, our government couldn't function.