I was one of those contractors in Iraq from 2005-2006. I was injured in an IED attack on November 9th, 2006 in Baghdad. To this date the Army has still not acknowledged that I was in the vehicle in which two warriors were killed and a third was injured.

I spoke a lot with young troops who wanted to make the "big bucks" I was making. I put it in perspective for them I have a college degree, 4 years military experience, and 16 years Law Enforcement Officer experience for a total of 20 years experience. I was given a GS-12 pay rate, which is consistent with my education training and experience

My job there was to train the Iraqi Police, the sooner they were up and in control, the sooner we can pull our troops out.

I consider the job I did as something in direct support of our military mission over there, if I was there for the money, then I wasn't making enough! I saw friends killed and wounded, I was seriously injured, I was shot at, mortared, rocketed... If people think it was the money keeping me there, they are very wrong!

I have been labeled a mercenary because I carried a weapon for my own defense there. I hope that when my recovery is over I can return there, I still believe that I have unfinished work to do. I just hope that someday the American public will accept and respect the contributions made by civilian workers in the war on terrorism.