By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

Of course they do. But when the awaited tally for troop levels comes forth from the White House, they’ll only speak about the uniformed service members. We shouldn’t be fooled by the numbers…contractors will fill the gaps for General McChrystal. The General knows that.

It appears also that Joe Biden's course of action hit the top of Obama's in-box...

The world awaits President Obama’s decision about the strategy in Afghnaistan. The Times London cites a leak this hour stating that Obama will negotiate with the Taliban and not send more troops. What’s not said is that there will be additional contractors on the ground. How else will we be able to train and support Afghanistan’s Army?

Private military security contractors are crucial in any strategy, for any course of action; for logistics, training, intelligence support, and frontline security. It’s time that we see more reporting about their roles and functions.

Contractors count in many more ways that just the numbers. We should appreciate their service and at the very least recognize them because after all, we're paying them.

Read this Congressional report dated Aug 13, 2009