[geoschmo]

The question isn't whether they are aware of the standing ROE for the theater or not. The question is to whom are they responsible if they violate it. Since they don't fall under the military chain of command, how do you punish them if they commit illegal acts? Who has jusrisdiction? The CPA? The local authorities?

We've seen this week even soldiers under military command can do some really monumentally stupid things. We really need to be sure everyone there exercising authority is subject to some responsibility.

As far as the private security firms becoming the core of a future Iraqi military, I am pretty sure that would be highly illegal. Their preseance now is a bit of a gray area. They don't fit the legal definition of mercenary according to the UN because they are not a third party but actually citizens of the US and, at least theoretically, under the control of the US. If they transition under the direct authority of the Iraqi government, then they become Mercenaries in name as well as deed. Unless they all become citizens of Iraq first.