Anyone work in Iraq?

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:02 AM

Im looking at this job and a guy I know said he worked with them and got $170,000 a year while working with them, but getting info from him is a bitch so I stopped trying.

Anyone have experience, what Im gonna do? just translate shit in Iraq or is there gonna be more to it?? It says what ull be doing but I want a more in depth description.

this is the Job description btw.

Provide operational contract linguist support to U.S. Army operations in various locations worldwide. Provide general linguistic support for military operations and interpret during interviews, meeting, and conferences. Interpret and translate written and spoken communications. Transcribe and analyze verbal communications. Perform document exploitation. Scan, research, and analyze foreign language documents for key information. Translate and gist foreign language documents. Identify and extract information components meeting military information requirement list criteria. Provide input to reports. Linguists are required to work 12-hour shifts and in excess of 60-hour weeks in order to provide continuous contract linguist support that this 24 x 7 operation requires. Linguists must be available for worldwide deployment as the mission dictates.

Background and Experience:
(a) Minimum required: An excellent command of Arabic, as well as strong verbal and written American English skills (grammar, vocabulary, idioms, spelling) because linguist work products are prepared in English. A 4/4 (i.e., native) or higher Arabic listening/reading comprehension rating according to the ILR scale and as measured by the DLPT or comparable language test vehicle. Must hold a current U.S. passport. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investgation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Must be willing to travel/work in various locations worldwide, specifically Iraq. Ability to deal unobtrusively with the local populace. Familiarity with and ability to conduct oneself in accordance with the local culture and customs. Willingness to work shifts and extended hours in support of 24 x 7 Operations. Must be able to live and work in a harsh environment.

(b) Desired: A pre-existing SECRET security clearance. A thorough knowledge of cultural, economic, geopolitical, and military issues of the Mid East and Arab-speaking countries within that region. Previous operational experience as linguist in support of government operations. An ability to operate standard and specialized office automation equipment to process foreign language material.

All applicants will undergo background investigation, oral and written skills language examination, medical examination and counter-intelligence screening as conditions of employment on this contract.

**zodiac666** · 09-19-2006, 01:18 AM

i forgot you can speak arabic man, fvck the seals just go over there as an interpretor you'll make a sh1tload of money.

whenever we left the wire we had to bring a terp with us so we could communicate with the locals. we even let ours carry a weapon most of the time although i wouldnt count on that. and of course we also had to use them for interrogation

what forms of arabic do you speak?

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by zodiac666

i forgot you can speak arabic man, fvck the seals just go over there as an interpretor you'll make a sh1tload of money.

whenever we left the wire we had to bring a terp with us so we could communicate with the locals. we even let ours carry a weapon most of the time although i wouldnt count on that. and of course we also had to use them for interrogation

what forms of arabic do you speak?

Yeah I should atleast be given a pistol to shoot any mutherfvcker who shows hostility.

Im still enlisting in the Navy and have my sights on SEALS no matter what, but to be honest, right now I need the money and if its even 150,000/yr just for 2 yrs and then sign up for the Navy+SEALS contract.....perfect.

Egyptian Mainly, but I can learn pretty fast....My mom used to speak 5 languages fluently, got offers from the FBI when she was younger.

I can study a bit before I contact them but Im just wondering what do you do exactly in there??? do you have to obey commands from cake eaters and all that crap or just do ur job and be left alone when ur not working?

I know this is gonna sound immature lol, but do you get to interogate and use verbal and physical abuse while doing so??

**Warrior** · 09-19-2006, 01:28 AM

Dude, lots of money right doing this. Currently, it seems the strong contracts are with McNeal and MPRI - a lot of the smaller companies are currently getting choked out.

I can't go into a lot of detail regarding the work or media but what do you want to know aboutit? You are American right? You will need to obtain a clearance. If you are not American, there is still some potential - you will still have to pass routine polygraphs and background checks. Heritage Arabic speakers are a commidity right now... especially if you can translate several different Arabic dialects and speak English very well.

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Warrior

Dude, lots of money right doing this. Currently, it seems the strong contracts are with McNeal and MPRI - a lot of the smaller companies are currently getting choked out.

I can't go into a lot of detail regarding the work or media but what do you want to know aboutit? You are American right? You will need to obtain a clearance. If you are not American, there is still some potential - you will still have to pass routine polygraphs and background checks. Heritage Arabic speakers are a commidity right now... especially if you can translate several different Arabic dialects and speak English very well.

I was looking through your previous posts and some of the companies like SMC?? I cant find their website.....Can you please post the sites?

Im American, I have no problem with obtaining a security clearence, I can translate some from other dialects but mainly egyptian(I can learn real quick) and I speak english very well.

What I wanted to know was how is your day like? how are you treated like? whats in a days work? what can you do, what CANT u do? etc....

I ask because anything related to it, they lie. Not them specifically but anyone.

Ask a recruiter about the Military=LIES

Ask a Doctor about Steroirds=LIES etc.....

I want someone whos been there and can give me an honest opinion cause the guy I know I might be able to see and ask him again but I wont count on it.

**Warrior** · 09-19-2006, 01:43 AM

Well - lets just say I have some first hand info

SMC took a big cut this year - if you want longevity, job security - compile a resume and get out to MPRI or McNeal for now...

The job in Iraq is not necessarily safe... though many people come out without a problem and spend all their time in the Green Zone. You can get a little banged up going out into the field... but get with the companies and get a job description about what they will expect from you - print it and save it.

The actual day-to-day work you would do can range from basic intel gathering from recovered media or going out and getting the media and intel yourself - and obviously the later is more dangerous.

Let me see what SMC is up to these days and I will get back with you...

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by Warrior

Well - lets just say I have some first hand info

SMC took a big cut this year - if you want longevity, job security - compile a resume and get out to MPRI or McNeal for now...

The job in Iraq is not necessarily safe... though many people come out without a problem and spend all their time in the Green Zone. You can get a little banged up going out into the field... but get with the companies and get a job description about what they will expect from you - print it and save it.

The actual day-to-day work you would do can range from basic intel gathering from recovered media or going out and getting the media and intel yourself - and obviously the later is more dangerous.

Let me see what SMC is up to these days and I will get back with you...

Damn, sounds like fun, especially the going and getting the media and intel yourself part.

DO you know the websites for these companies cause I cant find them??

**zimmy** · 09-19-2006, 01:50 AM

Originally Posted by IronFreakX

Yeah I should atleast be given a pistol to shoot any mutherfvcker who shows hostility.

Im still enlisting in the Navy and have my sights on SEALS no matter what, but to be honest, right now I need the money and if its even 150,000/yr just for 2 yrs and then sign up for the Navy+SEALS contract.....perfect.

Egyptian Mainly, but I can learn pretty fast....My mom used to speak 5 languages fluently, got offers from the FBI when she was younger.

I can study a bit before I contact them but Im just wondering what do you do exactly in there??? do you have to obey commands from cake eaters and all that crap or just do ur job and be left alone when ur not working?

I know this is gonna sound immature lol, but do you get to interogate and use verbal and physical abuse while doing so??

egyptian...i spose you could learn... it's all based on urdo (can't spell it) so it can't be too different. There is a guy at a local strip club here (bartender) who gets paid 80k (which aint half bad houston money) to just be a "consultant" from time to time because he knows more than 3 dialecs.

**zodiac666** · 09-19-2006, 01:50 AM

the terps attached to my unit had it easy as hell. they just sat around all day and if we needed them we'd just call them on their radio.

if you are attached to a military unit you will obviously have to take orders from some of them but since you are not in the military you wont have to deal with any of the little army bullsh1t.

depending on your job and skill level you will not really be the one interragating, you will just repeat what someone else says

we were all jealous of the terps, i mean they have their skill and whenever their skill is not needed they can pretty much do whatever they want. definitly a good job to get, but you should really learn some of the different arabic dialects that are used in afghanistan and iraq

**Warrior** · 09-19-2006, 01:54 AM

MPRI, you have to fill out an IIF HERE

McNiel, try sending an e-mail HERE and see where they can direct you for job opportunities in the Middle East.

By the way, your gonna owe me 10,000 USD finder fee for this info brah!

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by zodiac666

the terps attached to my unit had it easy as hell. they just sat around all day and if we needed them we'd just call them on their radio.

if you are attached to a military unit you will obviously have to take orders from some of them but since you are not in the military you wont have to deal with any of the little army bullsh1t.

depending on your job and skill level you will not really be the one interragating, you will just repeat what someone else says

we were all jealous of the terps, i mean they have their skill and whenever their skill is not needed they can pretty much do whatever they want. definitly a good job to get, but you should really learn some of the different arabic dialects that are used in afghanistan and iraq

Hmmm Sounds damn good, deff better than my shit ass job and theres more danger/thrill and thats always a good thing.

I am picking up some books from Amazon this week, might as well add some translation books in there.

Thanx, much appreciated.

**Warrior** · 09-19-2006, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by zodiac666

different arabic dialects that are used in afghanistan and iraq

Even some French can help... but deffinitly different Arabic dialects... thats what sells you as a linguist. You can train an American to speak Arabic, but after a year all they can do is read the Quran. Heritage speakers (people who grew up speaking Arabic) are the big commidity since their Arabic is more diverse and useful...

**IronFreakX** · 09-19-2006, 01:59 AM

Originally Posted by Warrior

MPRI, you have to fill out an IIF HERE

McNiel, try sending an e-mail HERE and see where they can direct you for job opportunities in the Middle East.

By the way, your gonna owe me 10,000 USD finder fee for this info brah!

Thanx for the info, Im just "considering" it so far, although it looks very appealing to be honest. Not the SEALS but still appealing

Hey, just give me ur address, ur cycle preferences and Ill hook you up with all the steroids I can find over there.......

**Prada** · 09-19-2006, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by zimmy

egyptian...i spose you could learn... it's all based on urdo (can't spell it) so it can't be too different. There is a guy at a local strip club here (bartender) who gets paid 80k (which aint half bad houston money) to just be a "consultant" from time to time because he knows more than 3 dialecs.

Urdo is spoken in Pakistan, it is not arabic.
Farsi or Persian is spoken in Iran.
Pashto,Farsi amongst many other languages in spoken in Afghanistan.
In all the former countries, in none of them is Arabic is spoken. Mind you the scripture(written language) is all based on the same, I believe Arabic.
The spoken languages of Iran,Afghanistan, Pakistan are all Indo-European languages. Aryan, I believe the word Iran actually means Aryan.
The arabe countries in middle east and the maghreb(North Africa meaning Tunisia,LibyaAlgeria,Morocco) are all Arab or Arabic speaking nations are not Indo-european or Aryan. They are semitic and hebrew,arabic, aramaic,assyrian are derived from this. Just clarifying