Interview with Dr. Hennefer

What can you tell us about your new book?

The book is an investigation on how corporations based on delivering a military product verses a consumer product. Most organizations sell a product such as coffee, shoes, computers, etc., but PMCs sell military expertise that for the most part cannot be found in just any Wall Street corporation. The book focuses on the ability of former military professionals such as the British SAS, Army Rangers, or Navy SEALs, to use their skillsets in conducting military operations in an effort to provide a service to non-government organizations (NGOs) or governments without specialized military capabilities such as a standing army of their own.

How did you become interested in this subject?

I was watching the Charlie Rose show about how small governments use PMCs to repel guerilla and anti-government organizations within their countries. Most PMCs started in Western Africa and became very effective at limiting or destroying these organizations. Countries like Sierra Leon didn't have an effective army or air force, so they just hired one.

How does the use of PMCs impact future military or civil conflicts?

In effect, any organization or for that fact an individual who can afford to hire a PMC can do so. All you need is money.

Will the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan help or hinder US interest in the future?

Definitely hinder. What the Obama administration doesn't understand is that it is easier to declare peace then achieve it. My prediction is that within a year after the last effective combat troops leave this region, the Taliban and/or Al Qaeda will overrun the country just like the North Vietnamese did which precipitated the fall of Saigon.

What about current reduction of the military budgets?

This is a huge mistake. It takes a long time to train and develop key military forces such as we have now. To reduce the US military will have the same effect as it did after World War I and have the same effect on our ability to initially defend ourselves in a global conflict as it was in 1941. This is a lesson that we often over look, especially those outside of the military. It takes about six years from the time someone volunteers for the SEALs to be ready for combat operations. These are professional soldiers, not employees from a temp agency.

Can anyone hire one of these PMCs?

Pretty much as long as you are willing to pay both the financial and ethical price. Like they say, if you have to know the price, then you can afford to ask. On average someone wanting to hire a PMC which includes a limited army, navy, air force, etc. should be willing to shell out (no pun intended) about a billion dollars per year, which as you can tell, limits the field of those in the private sector to a select few.

When will an e-book version be available?

I have a book already converted from a traditional format to an e-book so that it will be available in all major platforms (iPad, Kindle, etc.) and it should be ready in about two months. The price will be less than $2.99 simply because the cost of printed in the traditional sense has been eliminated due to new and emerging tablet technology.