Rotary speaker is Peter “Sonny” Fortunato
By: Shelia Mader
Last week’s Rotary guest speaker was Peter “Sonny” Fortunato. He discussed his time serving as a solider/military contractor abroad. Sonny is a devoted husband to his wife, Jennifer, and a passionate follower of Christ. Sonny served 28 years as a law enforcement officer, protecting communities in roles including Fugitive member, SWAT team member, detective, K9 handler, K9 supervisor and operational supervisor of Ft. Lauderdale International Airport post -9/11. He earned two Combat Crosses, a Life Saving Award, and a 200 SWAT Missions Bar, reflecting his commitment to public safety. His service extended overseas as a military contractor for the Department of Defense and Department of the Army.
Summary of Verbal Presentation on Private Military Contractors (PMCs)
In the presentation, I discussed the role and history of Private Military Contractors (PMCs) in U.S. military operations, drawing from broader historical context and my personal experiences in Afghanistan. PMCs have been extensively utilized by the U.S. government to supplement military efforts, with approximately 600,000 contractors deployed across conflicts in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Ukraine. These contractors handle tactical augmentation and tasks that the military prefers to outsource.
PMCs are divided into two main categories based on their functions:
- **Logistical Support Companies**: Firms like KBR and Halliburton focus on non-combat operations, including kitchen duties, cleaning bathrooms, stocking shelves and tires, and providing overall logistical support. These roles ensure the smooth operation of military bases without diverting active-duty personnel.
- **Military Service-Related Companies**: Organizations such as Blackwater, Triple Canopy, and MPRI (Military Professional Resources Inc.) provide specialized services closer to combat, including security, training, and advisory roles. These companies employ experts for high-stakes tasks that require military expertise.
My role as a PMC was as an advisor to top military officials on the battlefield. I underwent screening and was granted a secret security clearance to perform my duties. There were only 20 individuals who held the same position I held, highlighting the specialized and limited nature of this role. I was stationed in Khost Province, Afghanistan, operating out of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Salerno, which is located near the borders of Paktika and Paktia Provinces.
I was assigned to the 4-25th Brigade from Alaska as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in crime scene evidence preservation, interrogation, interviews, exploiting evidence, and maintaining proper chain of custody. The unit I supported was a Focused Targeting Force, which conducted operations under the Joint Prioritized Effects List (JPEL), otherwise known as kill/capture operations. I was involved in over 20 such missions. Our team was on call 24/7 and served as the quick reaction force for Khost Province.
I was armed and trained by the U.S. government under a Department of Defense/Department of the Army contract. Essentially, I functioned as a civilian equivalent of a military intelligence and tactical operations mentor.
Our primary objective was to hunt down and capture members of the Haqqani Network, which was affiliated with the Taliban and served as the main functioning body of terrorists operating out of Khost Province. Our job involved gathering evidence to secure additional JPEL warrants or kill/capture orders for known associates and other Taliban subgroups or unidentified individuals in the area. Additionally, we assisted the Afghan government in standing up a prosecutorial system to try and convict criminals—AKA the Taliban—and either incarcerate or terminate them.
I was eager to contribute to these operations but was subsequently injured. I received a diagnosis of a blown-out disk in my neck, which required surgery. Unfortunately, the procedure resulted in paralysis. I spent 11 weeks in the hospital and 7 weeks in a nursing home, followed by about 5 years of recovery at home before I could drive and walk properly again.
Conclusion
This presentation highlighted how PMCs like MPRI play a crucial role in modern warfare, filling gaps in military capabilities while exposing contractors to significant risks, as evidenced by my own experiences. PMCs enable the U.S. to maintain operational flexibility but raise questions about oversight and the human cost.