In my monograph, The Transformation of Warfare: The Rise of Private Contractors, I mapped out the rise of the core competency military. I focused on military practice, and how the core competency model had become a reality on the ground since the end of the Cold War, and highlighted some of the challenges this represents. This chapter will build on my previous analysis by adding eight components that I believe can explain the rise of the contractor in war in the 21st century.

These components are divided into two groups. The first group is focused on explaining the drive to outsource technical and support services. The explanation includes: reconciling strategy commitments with resources, thus leading to the gradual adoption of a core competency military model; the need for multiple agency response to future security challenges, which will include contractors with specialist skills; achieving greater efficiency in delivering logistical support to a rapidly changing security environment, again leading to the adoption of a core competency military model; and the rapid technological development in military affairs and military logistics that has occurred, predominantly in the private sector, over the past three decades without any noteworthy public ownership. The second group explains the drive to outsource security protection services.