The danger of such a trend is that these private security forces will be pressed into armed combat to fill gaps in the deployment of U.S. military personnel. In the past, privatized soldiers have been called mercenaries, which are illegal under the Geneva Convention and other international legal conventions. In Iraq, the role of private security companies has evolved into the "Private Military Company" (PMC), an entity that is organized as a corporation and provides high-risk services under a government contract for services that run the gamut of military operations. This has the potential to involve hiring private companies for active combat operations. This trend has occurred without adequate study, debate, or regulation within U.S. government bodies. There is a need for a doctrine and legislation that will formalize the current deficiencies of control and accountability for PMCs while they are deployed in an area of combat operations. Such a doctrine should give the U.S. combatant commander control of all personnel employed by the U.S. Government. Further, there should be a government oversight agency that sets and monitors compliance with standards and codes of conduct of PMC personnel. When PMCs are used in international conflicts that involve coalition forces from many countries, such standards and codes must be developed through international consultation. The use of PMCs in international combat zones must be addressed now before dangerous and unintended patterns of operation become established. 16 notes