Anybody ever done overseas contract work. (combat zone)

[CBGB]

Curious. I received an offer and would like a little insight to how it works. Is it worth it? I was given a figure on salary. It pays well, but to be honest I expected it to pay better.

Are some companies better to work for, do some pay better than others.

Thanks guys!

[Mooseman33]

talk to Prone or Rage as he goes by now...

he knows all about that shit...

[quarry206]

Curious. I received an offer and would like a little insight to how it works. Is it worth it? I was given a figure on salary. It pays well, but to be honest I expected it to pay better.

Are some companies better to work for, do some pay better than others.

Thanks guys!

doing security or other stuff? that makes a big big difference in what it will be like

[CBGB]

doing security or other stuff? that makes a big big difference in what it will be like

Vehicle repair

[Nooomoto]

I don't know about the maintenance side of it..but I can tell you some companies live and die on a single contract. Some have been around for a long time, but most sprouted up at the start of the war in Iraq. Your quality of life while there mostly depends on the company you work for and who is holding the contract. Pay is great...I'm assuming you'll be getting paid in denars?

It's hard to research these companies because some of them are only around for a single contract, like I said, so they have no track record to speak of, and you only find out if it's good or bad once you get there.

[CBGB]

I don't know about the maintenance side of it..but I can tell you some companies live and die on a single contract. Some have been around for a long time, but most sprouted up at the start of the war in Iraq. Your quality of life while there mostly depends on the company you work for and who is holding the contract. Pay is great...I'm assuming you'll be getting paid in denars?

It's hard to research these companies because some of them are only around for a single contract, like I said, so they have no track record to speak of, and you only find out if it's good or bad once you get there.

The company that has contacted me has been around a while I believe. They appear to be US based. My understanding is they pay in US dollars. The pays sounds good, but again not as much as I expected. @85k

[Nooomoto]

The company that has contacted me has been around a while I believe. They appear to be US based. My understanding is they pay in US dollars. The pays sounds good, but again not as much as I expected. @85k

85k for a year? That seems a little low. I'd contact a few other companies and inform them that you've been contacted by x company and offered y salarly and see what they say.

Then just weigh it out, is that enough to get you to leave your family/friends for a little while?

As you're doing mechanic work you probably won't run into some of the more unsavory characters that end up as private security contractors, so you should be ok there.

[Researcher]

PSD stuff guys were making 80-90 grand tax free for 6 to 8 months of work. I've heard all that money has dried up though. If you're going to do any contract work go with a reputable company and set up and account to have the money directly deposited. I knew of some guys that got killed and the company refused to pay thier families.

[CBGB]

85k for a year? That seems a little low. I'd contact a few other companies and inform them that you've been contacted by x company and offered y salarly and see what they say.

Then just weigh it out, is that enough to get you to leave your family/friends for a little while?

As you're doing mechanic work you probably won't run into some of the more unsavory characters that end up as private security contractors, so you should be ok there.

It seems a little low to me also. It would be enough for me to pay off all of my bills, except my house. So it may be worth it. Do you know of any other reputable companies to contact, other than KBR? The idea of doing this is pretty exciting and I would love to do it. It would be worth it to provide a better lifestyle for my children in the future. They get pretty tired of Daddy working all of the time if you know what I mean.

[Nooomoto]

It seems a little low to me also. It would be enough for me to pay off all of my bills, except my house. So it may be worth it. Do you know of any other reputable companies to contact, other than KBR? The idea of doing this is pretty exciting and I would love to do it. It would be worth it to provide a better lifestyle for my children in the future. They get pretty tired of Daddy working all of the time if you know what I mean.

The only companies I know thoroughly, previously held contracts with KBR for security. I don't know much about the non-security oriented side of contract work.

KBR is huge though, so I mean...if thats what they are paying, then like mentioned above the money may have dried up some. I haven't been in that game for a bit so my information is probably old. I know a lot of guys are making $$$ in Afghanistan right now, but thats security work.

If you do end up going, make sure you get yourself a weapon and a little training with it (if you don't know already)...hadji loves to pick on contractors.

[CBGB]

The only companies I know thoroughly, previously held contracts with KBR for security. I don't know much about the non-security oriented side of contract work.

KBR is huge though, so I mean...if thats what they are paying, then like mentioned above the money may have dried up some. I haven't been in that game for a bit so my information is probably old. I know a lot of guys are making $$$ in Afghanistan right now, but thats security work.

If you do end up going, make sure you get yourself a weapon and a little training with it (if you don't know already)...hadji loves to pick on contractors.

I have no concern with going to Afgan if thats where I need to be. I am also well versed with weapons but was under the assumption that I would not have/ be allowed to have one. Thanks for the info man. If you think of anything else please let me know.

[quarry206]

i actually know alot of guys that did what you are doing and they loved it, you get treated very nice and depending on what base you are going to. there is more than you could imagine to do..

i would say do it, i think you will really like it

two man rooms, if not single rooms, and you will eat better than you ever have in your life and for the most part the gyms there are really nice

[Nooomoto]

I have no concern with going to Afgan if thats where I need to be. I am also well versed with weapons but was under the assumption that I would not have/ be allowed to have one. Thanks for the info man. If you think of anything else please let me know.

Well the Wild West atmosphere that prevailed in 03 and 04 in Iraq is gone. It's now against the law for civilian contractors to carry weapons unless the job requires it. If caught with a weapon and lack the proper credentials you'll be sent home. However...these places are what they are, and it would behoove one to carry a weapon for personal protection...shit, all the bad guys do.

[CBGB]

Well the Wild West atmosphere that prevailed in 03 and 04 in Iraq is gone. It's now against the law for civilian contractors to carry weapons unless the job requires it. If caught with a weapon and lack the proper credentials you'll be sent home. However...these places are what they are, and it would behoove one to carry a weapon for personal protection...shit, all the bad guys do.

Is it possible to bring a personal weapon into the country? Is it necessary at all? I am told that I will never leave base. Even better, can I purchase a weapon on base to bring home? Not sure how any of this works.

[CBGB]

i actually know alot of guys that did what you are doing and they loved it, you get treated very nice and depending on what base you are going to. there is more than you could imagine to do..

i would say do it, i think you will really like it

two man rooms, if not single rooms, and you will eat better than you ever have in your life and for the most part the gyms there are really nice

I would say I have pretty much made up my mind on going. Wife has been pretty sick the past couple years and has racked up a lot of medical debt that is drowning us. Doing this will pretty much eliminate all of it and put us back in good graces. I really want to make sure I am getting the best deal possible though.



The gyms are a pretty big bonus also. A whole year to train like I want to would be nice. If I can get enough food I can come home bigger than ever.

[The Deuce]

if you are considered an American citizen, in an American base, with American regs, and American laws.. the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION takes precedence OVER the countries laws.. provided your weapon is kept in the Armory. You should be able to Bear that arm. As far as when you leave that base though.. you are no longer considered to be on American SOIL so American laws and Constitution no longer apply...

Also, 85k per year is very very low end for mechanic work bro... My uncle's over there now, has been for 4 months.. and he is doing in the neighborhood of 130k per year as a civie contractor... Hell hahaha he was making almost 85k per year here...

Just something to look into for sure.. ask around. Don't bite at the first opportunity. That's my opinion.

[CBGB]

if you are considered an American citizen, in an American base, with American regs, and American laws.. the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION takes precedence OVER the countries laws.. provided your weapon is kept in the Armory. You should be able to Bear that arm. As far as when you leave that base though.. you are no longer considered to be on American SOIL so American laws and Constitution no longer apply...

Also, 85k per year is very very low end for mechanic work bro... My uncle's over there now, has been for 4 months.. and he is doing in the neighborhood of 130k per year as a civie contractor... Hell hahaha he was making almost 85k per year here...

Just something to look into for sure.. ask around. Don't bite at the first opportunity. That's my opinion.

Thats nice that he makes that here. Can't do that here in the Midwest honestly. Do you know who he is contracting with? 130k sounds more like what I was thinking.

[terraj]

I do US military construction contracting, if I was single I would be in the shit somewhere.

I set it up so I get paid not in US dollars, but a set ex rate. Sometimes I am smart ,Lol...not often.

I see higher then 85 anywhere global( outside US), in the a war zone- 100,000+ , more depending on variables can be much higher.

Salary for 40 hours then OT rates or an hourly rate.

Should get return flights every so often.

Not sure about Americans( I am not) but some places you will have no taxes to pay...always nice.

[terraj]

if you are considered an American citizen, in an American base, with American regs, and American laws.. the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION takes precedence OVER the countries laws.. provided your weapon is kept in the Armory. You should be able to Bear that arm. As far as when you leave that base though.. you are no longer considered to be on American SOIL so American laws and Constitution no longer apply...

The only places that are American soil overseas are embassies, as far as I know.
Bases are governed largely by military laws.

I don't think the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION has much to do with anything on a base.

The only folks I see allowed to carry guns on bases are MP's and civilian base security.

[CBGB]

I do US military construction contracting, if I was single I would be in the shit somewhere.

I set it up so I get paid not in US dollars, but a set ex rate. Sometimes I am smart ,Lol...not often.

I see higher then 85 anywhere global( outside US), in the a war zone- 100,000+ , more depending on variables can be much higher.

Salary for 40 hours then OT rates or an hourly rate.

Should get return flights every so often.

Not sure about Americans( I am not) but some places you will have no taxes to pay...always nice.

I was told return flight will cost me about $550 a trip. 10 days paid leave every 120 days. They're telling me that the first 91,000 is tax free as long as I'm out of the country for 335 days. It sounds like just about everybody is saying 85k is low. Anyone know of these other companies?

[terraj]

I was told return flight will cost me about $550 a trip. 10 days paid leave every 120 days. They're telling me that the first 91,000 is tax free as long as I'm out of the country for 335 days. It sounds like just about everybody is saying 85k is low. Anyone know of these other companies?

It's low bro, but it you need the work....
This work is also very much about the contacts, so once you are in, start building relationships, even with the competitors, and upgrade yourself ASAP.

What is the insurance deal? Very key point! Or will your own cover you in a war zone?

They sound like cheap MoFos, they are more then likely billing your hours at X 2.5 or more. Least they can do is pay for flights on leave.

[CBGB]

It's low bro, but it you need the work....
This work is also very much about the contacts, so once you are in, start building relationships, even with the competitors, and upgrade yourself ASAP.

What is the insurance deal? Very key point! Or will your own cover you in a war zone?

They sound like cheap MoFos, they are more then likely billing your hours at X 2.5 or more. Least they can do is pay for flights on leave.

My health insurance is covered as is life and ad&d (only 50k). They offer a family health plan and it cost about as much as I pay now, $500 a month. I have an existing 300k life insurance policy. My agent tells me it covers me over there also.

I have a good job now, just trying to get out from under some debt. Obviously, the more I can bring in the better off I will be in the end. It would be nice to pay everything off, and possibly take a family vacation when I get back. Ya know, do something nice for the family. Just live better.

[bucks_243]

Depends on what your doing. If it's PSD or security might as well, enlisted your doing the same job for a fraction of the pay and the living quarters are nice. Get ready to hear *ALARM RED* a lot depending on your AO.

[spywizard]

last deal I had 1st hand info on was $85k yr 1 yr commitment but that was net, meaning the taxes in the usa were paid...

more if you signed for 2 or 3 yr contract.. medical and insurance paid as well..

non combat zone..

job

Fireman..