Outfitting A Security Contractor Team

[OEF_VET]

Andy,

The funniest part of that cartoon is the truth which lies within it.

SINCGARS ASIP's? Yeah, they're great for talking to BN and higher, or to support assets. But for inner-squad or convoy comms, the Motorola FRS is king.

GPS systems are similiar, too. Yeah, we had Army-issued PLGR's. But, they're bulky and use too many AA's (when you have an adapter). The Garmin I carried was much better for portability. Of course, if the military ever actually went back to encoding the GPS signals, the PLGR's would be 10x as accurate.

 

[Lonestar]

How about those wonderful Gulf War era GPS units some of the soldier are stuck with. About the size of a college textbook. You can go into Wallyworld and buy a GPS for $99 that is 1/10 the size.

 

[AndyC]

Andy,

The funniest part of that cartoon is the truth which lies within it.

Yup, OEF_Vet, like I said: "More accurate than you might imagine". I know well the problems with convoy-comms in particular - very frustrating when you're only 500 yards apart and can't hear the other guys

 

[Correia]

A fellow I know ran a security detail for some oil company executives. They mostly used AK-47s, Glocks and Highpowers, with at least one person per team with a G3 or FAL (he was real personally gung-ho on having one .308). A PK of some type in each vehicle.

Back when all this first started, this individual offered me a job. I turned him down, as I thought it sounded stupid and dangerous. He was back six months later, and had made an absurd sum of money. Sometimes I kick myself on that one.

 

[AndyC]

It's good to smile about the money you've made once your contract is done and you're back home for good in one piece.

It's a totally different feeling having to make that decision before accepting the contract, not knowing what's going to happen - and a few times I'll admit to having thought "Man, I'm not being paid enough for this..."

 

[30 cal slob]

i don't want to take this thread further off topic, but ...

out of curiosity, who DOES offer a decent contractor training program?

sorry for the dumb question, i'm just a clueless civilian.

 

[AndyC]

Not a dumb question at all - it just depends what your ultimate intentions are. If you're thinking that you can come in with absolutely no military expereince, do a course and then get hired for Afghanistan or Iraq - it's not going to happen (with a rare exception).

You have to bear in mind that most contractors are chosen for their military experience - it's pretty hard (ok, impossible) to bring civilians up to that same level during a 2-week course, or however long they are.

With that said, I personally believe that anyone would learn a lot of cool stuff on such a course, whether it's James Yeager or Blackwater or whoever - just check them out thoroughly before parting with your cash. Google, talk with people who have experience, etc. My money would be on Blackwater because they have a solid training rep plus they are able to directly hire guys themselves for gigs, whether for local or international contracts.

Build up experience locally, do all the scut-work that every newbie in the industry does, keep your nose clean and your temper cold - and use that to work your way up to the big contracts, if that's where you're heading.

Edit: Someone in an unrelated industry once put it very well: "You don't get trained here, you get here trained!"

 

[HMMurdock]

Thanks for the tips, guys! I'ma run these posts by the man and see what we come up with. I'm personally fond of the M4/AK47 formula (AK is my personal pref for such work) and Glocks because, as it was said, its popular amongst contractors and the Iraqi police are using them in 9mm so parts will be available. Beretta M9s are another good choice, as said, but I've personally had more problem with M9s than I have Glocks-- although not much from eiether. As far as the caliber, I'd rather have a ton of sh*tty stoppers than not enough .45's. Stateside I'm a .45, guy though... Love my 1911 but I sure as sh*t wouldn't trust it in the Sands of Durka Durka.

And thanks for the other tips (vehicles, commos, etc). It is all invaluable and I appreciate those of you with real experience or insight that have chimed in. It will all be considered and reviewed.

Good luck to you all and watch your 6.

TRL

 

[Ukraine Train]

I heard on the radio today that troops are using Silly String to check for trip wires in houses. They spray it into a room and see if any hangs up.