In the era of the all-volunteer force, hiring contractors reduced the need for the military to recruit new troops. Instead, it passed the labor problem to the contractors, who have frequently searched the globe for the cheapest possible workers. Often, these have been Filipinos and other non-U.S. citizens from formerly colonized parts of the world who are willing to work for much less than uniformed troops. By recruiting foreign workers, the government and contractors could also often avoid paying for the health care, retirement, and other benefits provided to U.S. troops.

David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Milit…, loc. 681