Interview with ArmorGroup Whistleblower John Gorman

John Gorman, retired U.S. Marine, was hired by ArmorGroup (AGNA) in 2007 to support security at the American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Numerous reports of AGNA activities are available elsewhere in the media, as well as my own articles here and here. John has previously provided a written press release as well as televised interviews with major networks, as seen here. With this interview, I'm allowing John Gorman to tell his story, what he believes needs to be said.

John, you and I go back several years. I remember how excited you were when hired by ArmorGroup to be the Camp Commandant in Kabul, to have this opportunity to once again serve your country. We never really hang up our uniforms, do we?

When you first reported AGNA's shortfalls in 2007, what was your expected outcome? What do you think should have happened that didn't?

I expected that they would want the operation to go smoothly and provide the necessary support to make that happen. In fact, at one point when it became obvious to State that ArmorGroup had underbid the contract, the Regional Security Officer (RSO) assumed that since this was AGNA's first State Department contract, that it would be handled as a loss leader in order to set a good impression for future contracts. AGNA obviously didn't see it that way - it wasn't part of their business formula.

You met with AGNA management on numerous occasions and voiced your concerns, which were largely overshadowed by talk of profit margins. You went further to the RSO - a State Department employee - who took both an oral and written statement on June 12, 2007, resulting in ArmorGroup terminating your employment and ushering you out of the country immediately thereafter. You wrote a detailed account in a letter to Senators Lieberman and Dodd and Congressmen Shays and Courtney on July 18, 2007 after your return to the U.S., followed by meetings with staffers from the offices of Senators Lieberman, Biden and Waxman during November.

Why was nothing done? Where was the breakdown? Who do you think is ultimately responsible for the scenes we've seen unfold in recent weeks?

I'd say the breakdown is systemic. 1) Bureaucracies aren't known for their efficiency or effectiveness. 2) Once our elected officials (notice I don't refer to them as representatives) get situated in office they are happy to have their constituents go away and leave them alone, unless of course we come with bags of money. Harry Reed may have been the one to say it but his sentiments are true for many more ...they "can smell us coming."

What do you think should be done now? How can this be fixed? CAN it be fixed?

Yes, this can be fixed. But not by anyone currently holding management or leadership positions at AGNA - either in Kabul or Virginia. I don't attack State on this because the contract is a good contract. The problem is they were sold a bill of goods. There is also the fact that people come and go from embassies, including RSOs. As far as I can tell they are good people trying to do a job; they are also bureaucrats who cover their butts with paperwork and pray to God nothing happens on their watch. After all, it is easier to prepare an excuse than to fix the problem.

One way to fix this without expanding the military burden would be to send in a team of dedicated professionals whose word is law. I can think of at least three retired Marines who already know the terrain and would be willing to take on the task. They should not be on State payroll or AGNA payroll but paid by and answerable to a Senate or Congressional Oversight Committee.
Another way involving the use of military would be to activate a reserve Marine Battalion, and boot AGNA out of the country. Any name (especially management) associated with this current fiasco should be banned from ever being part of a tax-payer funded project in anyway in the future.

The potential solutions that lie between these options are numerous. One only has to be willing to act.

Knowing what you know now, in hindsight, would you have done anything differently?

I kept a pretty good record on events in Kabul. I saved most of the incriminating e-mail correspondence (mostly hard-copy) and kept a pretty good journal. When events started to unfold I even contacted a lawyer (one recommended by my previous employer) and made a report. Unfortunately, he thought it was a prank call and did not respond.

Knowing what I know now I would have kept even better records. And yes, I would still "blow the whistle."
As you know there are no ex-Marines, and Semper Fi is not just an empty phrase.

How has this experience changed you, both positively and negatively?

I don't think this event changed me one way or the other. Any meaningful changes in me were started in Marine Corps boot camp. Twenty years in the Marine Corps honed and polished that change.
Although there was nothing enjoyable about this experience, it was a case of the right men in the right place at the right time.

And as you well know, "No good deed goes unpunished."

John, thank you for sharing your story, and for doing the right thing. Semper fi.