Times Romam

**songdog** · 02-06-2011, 10:52 PM

Get back home soon.Being a xMarine.I remember those trips.

**SlimmerMe** · 02-06-2011, 10:53 PM

He is supposed to be there for 3 years I think........so we will all have to go see him!

**yungone501** · 02-06-2011, 10:58 PM

TR...gone for three years? Really?

**SlimmerMe** · 02-06-2011, 11:05 PM

^^^ this is what he is doing....

he has a thread on all of this about his job here in the Lounge

**songdog** · 02-06-2011, 11:55 PM

Hell I thought they called him back to the miltary.I put in a app for driving truck over there in Iraq but never heard nothing.Then I heard they only made 70 000.Not worth it.You can almost do that here.But you got to pay the taxes.

**Times Roman** · 02-07-2011, 10:26 AM

I'm flattered by the thread mates. Ex Military, now civilian... I've posted what I make... once is enough, and I probably should not have done that....

but, the way this works, this was a 4 year project, and I joined the team after a year in.... USAID renews our contract every september... no guarantees beyond september until we get a new 12 month contract.... project is slated to end Sep 2013

the way this works.... my first $90k or so is tax free. The rest is deferred until I am no longer an expat. On top of that, I get a variety of allowances, such as SMA, which is about $20K/yr which is non taxable income...

as far as where i am at in Kabul.... not too bad.... some of the blokes here have been in Iraq, Kuwait, which are difficult environments.

And let me just mention... my first R&R will be in may. Leave here the 5th, return on the 18th.... travel expenses are paid by others.... but that's a friggin lot of flying mates! Going home to my family... we are going to rent a big cabin in the mountains, invite all my mates out, all the eats, drinks and booze is on me, including the cabin.... thinking yosemite or tahoe....

things are really starting to smooth out for me here.... just closed the books on january, getting an assistant here in a couple of weeks.... =)

**DSM4Life** · 02-07-2011, 10:59 AM

My buddy just got offered a job for 200K a year in Iraq. Not sure if i would do it.

**Times Roman** · 02-07-2011, 11:02 AM

Iraq is a little different than Kabul... what would he be doing?

**Times Roman** · 02-07-2011, 11:02 AM

btw... love the new avi.... it is so "YOU" =)

**DSM4Life** · 02-07-2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

Iraq is a little different than Kabul... what would he be doing?

He would be a contractor. Easy work, easy pay but you never know how things might turn out.

**yungone501** · 02-07-2011, 11:07 AM

All the $$$ sounds very appealing but, my family is worth far more to me then a hefty bank account. (no offense to those in iraq)

However, if i were a single man, i might consider. It be nice to save up an insane amount of money in only 4 years!

On second thought, anyone seen the movie "buried"?......nevermind.

**DSM4Life** · 02-07-2011, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by yungone501

All the $$$ sounds very appealing but, my family is worth far more to me then a hefty bank account. (no offense to those in iraq)

However, if i were a single man, i might consider. It be nice to save up an insane amount of money in only 4 years!

On second thought, anyone seen the movie "buried"?......nevermind.

Worse ****ing movie I ever watched but he is hot !

**yungone501** · 02-07-2011, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

Worse ****ing movie I ever watched but he is hot !

I know right (about worst movie, not being hot), i hate movies that have bad endings. Defeats the purpose. Other then that, i thought it was good up till the end. IMO.

**Times Roman** · 02-07-2011, 11:20 AM

never saw the movie...

DSM.... yeah mate, I know he would be a contractor, but what would he be doing? harem guard? sandwhich maker? cannon fodder? weather man? hang man? beauty queen?

**DSM4Life** · 02-07-2011, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

never saw the movie...

DSM.... yeah mate, I know he would be a contractor, but what would he be doing? harem guard? sandwhich maker? cannon fodder? weather man? hang man? beauty queen?

He would be doing telephone/wiring services.

**Times Roman** · 02-08-2011, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

He would be doing telephone/wiring services.

I';m not sure... does that mean he's outside the compound running wire/cable? $200k? the pay is starting to get interesting....

I'dsay go for it if no kids / spouse

if kids or spouse (notice I didn't say wife?), then I'd think twice... more risk if outside the compound... I'm pretty safe, but can't pass gas with out a cpo giving me the all clear. If he is outside the compound.... yeah, not sure