"The men were paid $600 a day, seven days a week. At that rate, a contractor could earn more than $100,000 on a six-month deployment.

The contracts also spelled out what they didn’t get. As independent operators, they were not entitled to health care, disability coverage or a 401(k) retirement plan.

Inside America's Private Army

Moreover, they assumed a number of risks. From the contract:

“The risks include, among other things and without limitation, the undersigned being shot, permanently maimed and/or killed by a firearm or munitions, falling aircraft or helicopters, sniper fire, landmine, artillery fire, rocket propelled grenade, truck or car bomb, earthquake or other natural disaster, poisoning, civil uprising, terrorist activity, hand to hand combat, disease, poisoning, etc., killed or maimed while a passenger in a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, suffering hearing loss, eye injury or loss; inhalation or contact with biological or chemical contaminants (whether airborne or not) and or flying debris, etc.”

Contractors also agree to a series of restrictive covenants, including a pledge not to divulge any confidential information about Blackwater for five years after they leave the company. Any violation is punishable by payment – due in a lump sum within five days of Blackwater’s demand – of $250,000."

And then there are things like this:

"Blackwater and Heckler & Koch Form Training Program

Blackwater HK International Training Services will combine the current courses of the Heckler & Koch Training Group of Ashburn, Virginia, with curriculum developed jointly by Heckler & Koch and the Blackwater Training Center, one of the business units of Blackwater and the largest private training facility in the United States.

“Our joining with Blackwater Training brings two international leaders together to provide a full spectrum of services to our customers,” said retired Major General John G. Meyer, Jr., Heckler & Koch Chief Executive Officer. “We will continue to offer training at customers’ locations; additionally, since all courses now will also be available at Blackwater’s state-of-the-art training facilities, our customers will have the opportunity to hone their skills in a first-class learning environment.”