A New Dawn for War Zone Contractors: Advocacy Group Emerges to Address Neglected Needs

For decades, the narrative of war has primarily focused on the sacrifices and struggles of uniformed service members. Upon returning home from combat zones, veterans are often greeted with a network of support systems, including veterans’ support groups, a multitude of charities, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, all dedicated to addressing their physical and mental health needs. However, a significant and often overlooked segment of the workforce deployed to these same war zones has been left largely without institutional support: civilian contractors.

These individuals, who undertake a wide range of tasks in conflict areas, face similar dangers and traumas as their military counterparts. Contractors often experience mental health challenges stemming from exposure to combat situations. Thousands more have suffered exposure to toxic burn pits, facing an increased risk of developing the same cancers that have tragically claimed the lives of American service members. Despite these shared risks, contractors have historically lacked the robust support network available to veterans.

This disparity is now being challenged by the recent formation of the Association of War Zone Contractors (AOWC), a nonprofit organization aiming to provide much-needed advocacy and support for these often-forgotten individuals.

"We’re looking to make sure contractors are seen, heard, and counted, because those things haven’t been happening for a long time," stated Scott Dillard, co-founder of AOWC.

The American public often overlooks the extent to which contractors bolster the workforce on overseas bases. During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, civilian contractors comprised an estimated half of the total U.S. workforce in those regions. While some contractors undertake roles outside secure perimeters, such as convoy drivers navigating dangerous routes, others perform essential support functions within the bases. These roles include maintaining infrastructure, preparing food, sanitation duties, and various other tasks necessary to sustain operations. Regardless of their specific role, all contractors on these bases are exposed to hostile environments and the inherent risks of attack.

The term "hidden casualties" emerged during the Iraq War to describe contractors who experienced injury or death while serving in conflict zones. Over the course of two decades in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 8,000 contractors lost their lives, compared to approximately 7,000 U.S. service members. The U.S. government’s reporting of contractor deaths has been inconsistent and incomplete, leaving families to grapple with bureaucratic hurdles and often struggle to obtain rightful compensation.

"A contractor’s function is kind of an invisible army, and we don’t want that," said Cory Archibald, another co-founder of AOWC and a former contractor. "The public deserves to know, policymakers need to know in order to make the right decisions, how integrated contractors are in everything that the military does, fully integrated in military operations, and that needs to be understood and acted on."

Drawing inspiration from veterans’ advocacy groups that have long championed better post-mission care for U.S. troops, AOWC aims to inform returning contractors about existing resources for mental and physical injuries and illnesses acquired during their deployments. The organization also plans to advocate for policymakers to streamline the complex process of filing claims.

A major challenge for contractors lies in accessing benefits for health issues linked to burn pit exposure. While the PACT Act has established an automatic link between 23 different conditions and burn pits for veterans, civilian contractors must navigate a more challenging process through the U.S. Department of Labor. Contractors are required to provide direct proof of a connection between their medical conditions and their deployment.

Under the Defense Base Act, contracting companies’ insurers are legally obligated to cover medical care for work-related injuries, including cancers stemming from burn pit exposure. However, the reality is often far from straightforward.

"It’s an adversarial process for contractors," said Dillard. "The insurer is almost certainly going to deny the claim."

Even when claims are ultimately successful, contractors often face lengthy waiting periods to receive payment. Unsuccessful claims can lead to protracted legal battles, requiring contractors to hire lawyers and navigate the complexities of the court system.

Further complicating matters is the limited research on the long-term effects of burn pit exposure on contractors. While studies supporting the PACT Act focused on service members with deployments lasting between a few months and a year and a half, many contractors served on overseas bases for years, potentially increasing their exposure to harmful toxins.

AOWC’s initial focus is on establishing a burn pit registry to gather data and establish a direct connection between specific illnesses and burn pit exposure among contractors. The organization plans to leverage this data to advocate for policy changes, urging lawmakers to simplify the process for contractors to access necessary care.

AOWC’s mission gains even greater significance in the context of the evolving nature of warfare. As the U.S. military’s size has decreased over the years, there has been a corresponding increase in the outsourcing of tasks to civilian contractors. This trend allows political leaders to claim reductions in troop presence abroad while conveniently omitting the presence of contractors.

"They say, ‘We’re drawing down the troops.’ Okay, great. But they don’t say that on the backside there’s contractors coming back in," said Dillard.

"The fact that all these jobs have been outsourced to private contractors means that the public has less of an understanding of what is the cost of war, because they’re not seeing that reflected in the casualty figures, not just deaths, but also injuries as well," Archibald added.

Archibald’s own experience underscores the need for greater awareness and support for contractors. After serving in the Army and later working as a contractor in Afghanistan for six years, he realized the lack of accessible information regarding his rights and available resources.

"I did not know what my rights were," he said. "I had no clue that there was that help available. And a vast majority of contractors have a similar lack of knowledge."

AOWC aims to bridge this knowledge gap, empowering contractors to access the care and support they deserve and ensuring that their contributions and sacrifices are no longer overlooked. By giving a voice to the "invisible army" of war zone contractors, AOWC hopes to reshape the narrative of conflict and ensure that those who serve alongside the military receive the recognition and assistance they need to rebuild their lives after returning home.