Oleg Volk
Moderator Emeritus
My friend James just finished up a DVD with the admin and technical spects of organizing a "free company". If you want to do something in that field, check it out.
Civilian Contractor
Civilian Contractor
Want to do contract security work? Learn how.
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10 Ring Tao
Member
Care to provide a little background on that?
They are involved in a big deal based on $50,000,000 in fraud for contract services in Iraq. Over billing, double billing, theft and then re-leasing the same stolen equipment to the government, several other things. That got Congress looking at them. The DOD has also energised Congress due to manning issues. A team guy can re-up in the military and get a $150-180K bonus, or he can get out and go to Iraq for a year and make the same amount, the first $80K tax free. Thats not good for retention.
Langenator
Member
I read in a magazine (Popular Mechanics, believe it or not) that the Blackwater guys can make up to $600 a day, and they do 90 day tours in Iraq. That's $54,000, tax free, for that 90 days, and then you get to go home and see your family.
It takes even an Army officer like myself almost a full year to make that much, even without paying taxes on the money.
It takes even an Army officer like myself almost a full year to make that much, even without paying taxes on the money.
Moondoggie
Member
IIRC, for the tax free aspect to kick in, you have to remain out of the US for a full year.
That's what was being advertised when I looked into driving a truck over there for KBR.
That's what was being advertised when I looked into driving a truck over there for KBR.
SamlautRanger
member
As one who has been on several contract already.
To be tax free for federal income tax, you must be out of the country 330 days in a year's period. Also you are only tax exempt for the first $80,000.
So for example you make $160,000 you would still have to pay fed income tax on $80,000 which is 25%, so you would end up paying around $20,000 in fed income tax on the $160,000 you made.
You also still have to pay soc sec and medicare tax ( 7.5%) (and Blackwater contractors and some other security firm personnel are not considered employees but indepentant contractors so they must fill out a form 1099 and pay an additional 7% soc sec tax,) and depending on your state possibly state tax. So again if you made $160,000 in one year, 7.5% or higher would go additional taxes.
Some of the more serious Private Security Compaines working in Iraq such as Blackwater, SOC-SMG, triple Canopy, Dyncorps and MVM pay anywhere from $400 to $800 depending on job, amount of risk, and leadership position. These companies also require a military special operations background or serious law enforcement SWAT Background, do extensive screening, and have usually 2 week shooting/selection course you must complete (for example triple canopy has a 35%-40% attrition rate through their selection course-and this is all ex-SF/Seal operators going through).
Of course there are smaller security companies that hire less qualified personnel, do not have training/ selection course prior to deployment, and are lacking in support. I do not recommend this.
I personally recommend do not work for any security company in Iraq that does not have some sort of training/selection course prior to delpoyment. You need to weed out the people who lied on their resumes and who are Mall Ninjas.
As for all the things you need to get ready to go, a competent company such as SOC-SMG, Dyncorp, triple canopy will square you away with all the legality, visas, medical, gear etc... The only thing you need is the Special Operations Background and pass the selection, security, and training courses the companies run.
Gear issued varies. For the company I worked for was given a Sig 226 9mm, Bushmaster m4, and a M249 SAW. Most others issue Glock 17 or 19s. Some use AKs. It varies.
Contract are any where from 3 -12 months usually.
I did a 6 month contract in Iraq and am now just completing a 7 month contract in Cambodia.
All I can say is my time in in Iraq I served with the best team I had ever been on. My team had 3 ex SEAL, 4 ex Special Forces (green berets) and 1 ex Army Infantry Captain (who was a former instructor for urban and CQB combat)
Getting ready to possibly head back for another contract in Iraq.
God Bless.
To be tax free for federal income tax, you must be out of the country 330 days in a year's period. Also you are only tax exempt for the first $80,000.
So for example you make $160,000 you would still have to pay fed income tax on $80,000 which is 25%, so you would end up paying around $20,000 in fed income tax on the $160,000 you made.
You also still have to pay soc sec and medicare tax ( 7.5%) (and Blackwater contractors and some other security firm personnel are not considered employees but indepentant contractors so they must fill out a form 1099 and pay an additional 7% soc sec tax,) and depending on your state possibly state tax. So again if you made $160,000 in one year, 7.5% or higher would go additional taxes.
Some of the more serious Private Security Compaines working in Iraq such as Blackwater, SOC-SMG, triple Canopy, Dyncorps and MVM pay anywhere from $400 to $800 depending on job, amount of risk, and leadership position. These companies also require a military special operations background or serious law enforcement SWAT Background, do extensive screening, and have usually 2 week shooting/selection course you must complete (for example triple canopy has a 35%-40% attrition rate through their selection course-and this is all ex-SF/Seal operators going through).
Of course there are smaller security companies that hire less qualified personnel, do not have training/ selection course prior to deployment, and are lacking in support. I do not recommend this.
I personally recommend do not work for any security company in Iraq that does not have some sort of training/selection course prior to delpoyment. You need to weed out the people who lied on their resumes and who are Mall Ninjas.
As for all the things you need to get ready to go, a competent company such as SOC-SMG, Dyncorp, triple canopy will square you away with all the legality, visas, medical, gear etc... The only thing you need is the Special Operations Background and pass the selection, security, and training courses the companies run.
Gear issued varies. For the company I worked for was given a Sig 226 9mm, Bushmaster m4, and a M249 SAW. Most others issue Glock 17 or 19s. Some use AKs. It varies.
Contract are any where from 3 -12 months usually.
I did a 6 month contract in Iraq and am now just completing a 7 month contract in Cambodia.
All I can say is my time in in Iraq I served with the best team I had ever been on. My team had 3 ex SEAL, 4 ex Special Forces (green berets) and 1 ex Army Infantry Captain (who was a former instructor for urban and CQB combat)
Getting ready to possibly head back for another contract in Iraq.
God Bless.
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I was surfing the web the other day and I came across an article that may be of interest:
http://www.michaelschmitt.org/images/Schmitfinal.pdf
This was written by a lawyer, is very long with a fair amount of legalese, but prospective contractors should at least skim the contents.
http://www.michaelschmitt.org/images/Schmitfinal.pdf
This was written by a lawyer, is very long with a fair amount of legalese, but prospective contractors should at least skim the contents.
James Yeager
Member
Learn The Essential Skills Needed To Succeed As Civilian Contractor In High Risk Environments
Tactical Response Creates Four-Disc DVD Package That Provides “Need-to-Know†Information Not Available Elsewhere
Baghdad, Iraq [April 6, 2005] – Tactical Response, one of the world’s leading weapons and tactical training organizations, released a 4-disc DVD package designed exclusively for civilians who are seeking employment as contractors in high-risk regions of the world.
James Yeager, President of Tactical Response, said that the intent of this first in a series DVD set is to provide fundamental, yet critical, information that anyone entering or thinking about entering the world of civilian contracting needs to know.
“There are hundreds of things you have to think about, plan for, and finalize before you leave your country,†he said. “For example, you need to know about getting the right immunizations, how to find a stable and trustworthy employer, and properly assessing your equipment and training needs before you get started.â€
Worldwide demand for skilled civilian contractors is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Countries desperately need security specialists, engineers, skilled craftsmen, business managers, and consultants.
The potential earnings for providing contract services of any type are high, because many of the countries with the highest demand are also some of the most dangerous, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, South America, and Asia.
“It is important for our clients to know that these DVDs don’t provide fighting or combat training techniques,†said Mr. Yeager. “But I guarantee that after viewing this DVD, you will have the knowledge you need to begin a career in this field. It will teach you how to prepare for your missions, how to travel through dangerous places, how to live in hostile, deadly environments, and most importantly, how to get back home safely.â€
Ben Thomas, an experienced civilian contractor and former U.S. Navy SEAL, called the DVD “…required viewing by anyone considering any type of contracting work in a hostile area!"
www.TacticalResponseVideo.com
James Yeager
Member
Aimpoint M2
Langenator
Member
Aimpoint M2, with the scope covers closed.
TheDutchman
Member
is that a Dpms kitty kat
Otisimo
member
You must be joking Yeager.
Do you have to be an overweight twin to do this type of work?
Do you have to be an overweight twin to do this type of work?
James Yeager
Member
That was certainly rude.
ShackleMeNot
Member
Why is this board named "The High Road" again?
Otisimo
member
I guess you weren't joking.
I thought it was a photoshop joke, you know, mall ninjas and security cannon fodder and the like.
Sorry.
I thought it was a photoshop joke, you know, mall ninjas and security cannon fodder and the like.
Sorry.
Oleg Volk
Moderator Emeritus
Otisimo,
I got news for you: not everyone is a 20yo SEAL. And people who are out there might not fit your beauty standards but they lived long enough to develop cool judgment, acquire serious skills and become serious warriors in fact, if not in looks.
And if you read my post a little more carefully, you'd have been aware of having insulted a fellow THR member with no provocation from him. Very smooth.
I got news for you: not everyone is a 20yo SEAL. And people who are out there might not fit your beauty standards but they lived long enough to develop cool judgment, acquire serious skills and become serious warriors in fact, if not in looks.
And if you read my post a little more carefully, you'd have been aware of having insulted a fellow THR member with no provocation from him. Very smooth.
I was watching Primetime Live on ABC last night and they ran a story on Blackwater. Apparently, the mothers of several Blackwater employees that were killed are suing Blackwater. They claim that, among other things, that Blackwater failed to provide adequate weapons and support (like maps). I had always heard pretty good things about Blackwater, so this came as somewhat of a surprise.
Biff
Member
New caption for photo
"Blackwater now cloning security contractors."
"Blackwater now cloning security contractors."
James Yeager
Member
I have never worked for Blackwater.
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