Was the whole industry of U.S. private mercenary companies created during the Bush Administration?

I realize there have been mercenaries as long as there has been warfare, and tribal leaders, kings, and presidents with the gold to pay for their services.

But is there any precedent in the United States for large companies and forces of this type? Blackwater and the like?

Was this whole industry virtually created overnight here by the Bush Administration?

It doesn't get more "military-industrial complex" than that: a military industry.

In 1997, in fact. Just looked that up.

To further quote ...

"The Center for Public Integrity reported that since 1994, the Defense Department entered into 3,601 contracts worth $300 billion with 12 U.S. based PMCs. Some view this as an inevitable cost cutting measure and responsible privatization of critical aspects of a military. However, many feel this is a troubling trend, since these private companies are not directly accountable to a legislative body and may cost more than providing the same functions within the military. 17 of the nation's leading private military firms have contributed $12.4 million in congressional and presidential campaigns since 1999.<2>

<2>^ a b c Yeoman, Barry. "Soldiers of Good Fortune", Mother Jones, 2003-06-01. Retrieved on 2007-05-08. "

That's from Wikipedia.

That would be my guess.

Wasn't the guy who founded Blackwater a Bush Pioneer?

think about it.

in the bogus set up & impeachment attempt, & Whitewater, Paula Jones, etc.

Bush govt takeover was in the works at that time. I believe.

and they got into a bit of trouble, too. Some years back, I read a Salon article about some mercenaries who "bought" some Bosnian girls. Just like now, there didn't seem to be any applicable law under which they could be prosecuted.