0007
Member
That money is definately "light". Most of the guys that I know who are going there say it's around $13K for a three month contract with a bonus for each completion and more for an extension.
I am seriously considering going to Iraq!
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benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Umm, if anybody dies and THEN comes crying to me, I'm going to be very worried.
What caliber would you use against an angry ghost?
Dain Bramage
Member
It's important work and you are going in as a free man with your eyes open.
I take a risk driving 35 miles to work every day to earn my money. The increased risk you would take is compensated by more money. For some people, that level of risk is not worth the payback. Only you can decide. Good luck to you whichever way you choose.
It's interesting that there are a lot of people on this board supporting volunteers into the military, but there are also a lot of naysayers to being a private contractor. I'm not saying they are necessarily the same people. The nobility of military service (which gunfan already did) is no greater than his goal to better his education. In fact, it is often the same goal that military volunteers have.
I take a risk driving 35 miles to work every day to earn my money. The increased risk you would take is compensated by more money. For some people, that level of risk is not worth the payback. Only you can decide. Good luck to you whichever way you choose.
It's interesting that there are a lot of people on this board supporting volunteers into the military, but there are also a lot of naysayers to being a private contractor. I'm not saying they are necessarily the same people. The nobility of military service (which gunfan already did) is no greater than his goal to better his education. In fact, it is often the same goal that military volunteers have.
bogie
Member
What do you guys hear of non-security/combat type positions? I have no desire to wander around with a boomstick - I'd rather be one of the people being guarded. I figure that if I need a boomstick then, there'll be one or two sitting around unattended...
Of course, I'd probably see if I could scrounge a good Remington 700 in .308, just for the event that it'd come in handy...
Of course, I'd probably see if I could scrounge a good Remington 700 in .308, just for the event that it'd come in handy...
If you are in a non-security type position you really don't need a gun. You will most likely be in the "Green Zone" or at the airport. Huge, well guarded perimiters. IT type jobs and engineering jobs pay more (sometimes a lot more) than security positions. Now, if you are going to be outside "the wire" so to speak, well, I would want to be armed.
CAnnoneer
Member
carlrodd said:
Please do tell.
rero360
Member
as far as I know, at least from the companies that my friends have dealt with when they were over there, their unit worked closely with a couple of companies, the contractors were issued plenty of guns and ammo, armor and all that fun stuff,I was considering doing the contractor gig myself but I want to go over with my unit first, I feel a duty to my fellow soldiers. from what I've heard blackwater is the best company to work for, but very hard to get in.
BsChoy
Member
gunfan said:
Scott
I don't think you want to live, it sounds like you have nothing else to live for to me...only your shooting skills will be needed...the "contractors" over there aren't manning security checkpoints all day...they are mercs for all intents and purpopses...you will have almost no reinforcements if the SHTF and if you do it ain't nothing like the military...contractors are getting decent weapons but you've got nothing to help you survive an IED or RPG or even a simple small arms ambush except a vest. Think long and hard about this one.
telomerase
Member
if you're just killing for the money, get a bid from the insurgents. They'd probably pay more than $100K for someone who can be bought.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I was suprised the hear how much contractors in Bosnia actually made. They were paid around $100,000. However, had NO sick leave, vacation, insurance, and had to pay ALL of the social security/taxes that applied to them themselves.
Their $100,000 really meant about $60,000.
Not enough money for me to do it that's for sure.
However, if you're going look into BlackWater. Got a pitch from them recently and they were paying about twice what you're looking at now and were doing 6 month hitches.
Their $100,000 really meant about $60,000.
Not enough money for me to do it that's for sure.
However, if you're going look into BlackWater. Got a pitch from them recently and they were paying about twice what you're looking at now and were doing 6 month hitches.
If I was ten years younger and had no family, I'd give it serious consideration.
However, I do believe that I'd wait till after March. If it turns out to be true that we hit Iran in that time period, the money just would not be worth it.
Biker
However, I do believe that I'd wait till after March. If it turns out to be true that we hit Iran in that time period, the money just would not be worth it.
Biker
silverlance
Member
hm.
with all due respect - and no insult intended, seriously -
if you've outlived five wives and four children, do you still think you are, as the singer sings, "as good as you ever was"?
unless, of course, each relationship was extremely short-lived, in which case... well, I just wonder how someone with the background you describe could possibly be younger than 50 (not that someone over fifty can't be a fit guard, understand, just that I imagine it would be a bit harder on the system than say at 25) or that you would get security clearance to be a highly paid security officer - (assuming that the deaths of your family were from other than natural causes).
again, no insult, just wondering.
imho, if you've finally got it good after all these years of hardship, why risk it one more time?
with all due respect - and no insult intended, seriously -
if you've outlived five wives and four children, do you still think you are, as the singer sings, "as good as you ever was"?
unless, of course, each relationship was extremely short-lived, in which case... well, I just wonder how someone with the background you describe could possibly be younger than 50 (not that someone over fifty can't be a fit guard, understand, just that I imagine it would be a bit harder on the system than say at 25) or that you would get security clearance to be a highly paid security officer - (assuming that the deaths of your family were from other than natural causes).
again, no insult, just wondering.
imho, if you've finally got it good after all these years of hardship, why risk it one more time?
gunfan
Member
I believe that I can work "inside the perimeter"
In either Afghanistan or Iraq. It shouldn't be too difficult to pass their "background check" (no felonies or violent misdemeanor convictions).
Working the "inside" is likely to be safer and more "intellectually oriented".
Scott
In either Afghanistan or Iraq. It shouldn't be too difficult to pass their "background check" (no felonies or violent misdemeanor convictions).
Working the "inside" is likely to be safer and more "intellectually oriented".
Scott
Manedwolf
member
gunfan said:
It still seems like something wrong, to me, that the men and women who signed up to defend their country and who are over there get pocket change and their families' benefits get cut constantly...but the hired mercenaries/contractors/whatever you want to call it make big bucks.
If I was a "real soldier" over there, I dunno...I'd kind of resent that the people who signed up to fight for pay, not country, are making a hell of a lot more money than the enlisted personnel will ever see...?
gunfan
Member
Manedwolf said:
I missed getting my white carcass shipped off to Vietnam by three... count them, 3 months! If I go to the Middle East, I damn sure better be well-paid!
Scott
Last I saw - the contractors coming into country weren't supplying weapons stateside - they supplied them in theater. Contractor personnel were drawing weapons out of company stock once they arrived in country. Of course, selection seemed to vary a lot by contractor. While I didn't get details, some of the larger contractors (I think Blackwater comes to mind) had a legal arrangement to ship certain weapons in while others were dealing with firearms that could be procured locally.
Seems to me that the quality of your armament could be highly variable - which would be a cause of concern for me.
On body armor... of course this is entirely anectodal... I think I recall one contractor telling me that his employers supplied none but they could wear what they owned. He also said he know of at least one employer over there that told their employees that no body armor would be worn at all.
Seems to me that the quality of your armament could be highly variable - which would be a cause of concern for me.
On body armor... of course this is entirely anectodal... I think I recall one contractor telling me that his employers supplied none but they could wear what they owned. He also said he know of at least one employer over there that told their employees that no body armor would be worn at all.
rock jock
Member
gunfan,
If I were in your postition with your background (and life experiences), I would do it. Life is more than about money, but it is also about more than just staying alive.
If I were in your postition with your background (and life experiences), I would do it. Life is more than about money, but it is also about more than just staying alive.
I guess you don't realize they're the same people? Almost all contractors are former military. They did their time, many did tours in the current conflict in Iraq (or Afghanistan) with the military first. Contractors don't get benefits by and large and they have no job when they get back. Military family benefits aren't being cut constantly BTW. One of the great things about my impending tour to Afghanistan is the benefits I will get from the military. I was paying over $700/month for them as a contractor and almost $500 now back in the States.
No need for a soldier to be jealous, it's the very service their doing that qualifies them for this job later if they want. Most probably don't want, they just like to complain. I did too as a private, it's in the job description I think.
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