Why get a job in a War Zone? Some people make 4k a week and some make even more. The first $87,600 is Tax free if you out of the country for 330 days out of 365. You make high pay, because you work 72 hours or more a week and there is the Hazard and Hardship pay on top of your regular pay. The danger varies between jobs, if you work outside the wire and with convoys it can be very dangerous. If your job requires you to travel in convoys it can be hazardous too. I have no knowledge of working as a security contractor and this article will not be addressing that type of work. Many jobs are inside the wire (on base) with not much travel and are relatively safe. Traveling can be hazardous Military Fixed wing is the safest, helicopter travel is less safe and convoys being the most dangerous.
Sometimes even inside the wire there is mortar or rocket attacks and a siren usually sounds and alerts everyone. There are hardened concrete bunkers you can take shelter in. There has been casualties from mortars and rockets inside bases in Iraq. I have had some mortar fire come close enough to shake my trailer, but for the most part I don't worry about it. There is also defenses against rocket fire and it called CRAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) that shoots down rockets and mortars. It's been pretty quite on my tour so for. These are the questions to ask if you are considering a job in Iraq or Afghanistan or where ever the next war will be. For many contractors it is not there first rodeo or their first year here. There are many ex-military working as contractors, but there are many with no military background. Like me for instance, I do not have a military background, but some jobs do require military experience. I work in IT and generally IT does not require a military background. Usually there is leave after 4 months on the job so I would ask about that too.
OK now we know the dangers, so how do we get a job in the first place? One place to start is Web Sites like Clearancejobs. Clearancejobs requires a security clearance, but the job may be able to get you one. Do Google searches on contractors in Iraq or Afghanistan. KBR is the largest contractor in Iraq. Then go to the contractor's website and see if they have openings. Once you land a job your company will need to get you a reservation to get training at CRC (Conus Replacement Center) in Fort Benning Army Post Georgia. Some Contractor Companies have liaisons' at CRC that help step you through the process. CRC is not that difficult to maneuver through on ones own, if you can make it to formation on time you will be guided through. They have a web site infantry.army.mil/crc/ that tells you more information than you care to know. The training takes a week, but there is allot of hurry up and wait, which the Army is famous for. You should have you military orders before you get there; many times they get emailed to you at the last minute. They have barracks on site or some companies pay to have their people stay in a hotel in Columbus Georgia a short drive away. If you stay in the barracks keep
track of your valuables you can be ripped off while taking a shower. Lock up you stuff or it will be gone. There is a chow hall at CRC where you can eat for free.
You are outside allot so be ready to brave the elements. It will be hot in summer without much air conditioning at formations or at most of the training for that matter. There is a physical that must be pasted, so if you health problems you could be denied going. It's best to have a physical before you go to
CRC and have those test results with you. If you wear glasses you need two pair. You need to have your dental checked out by a dentist before you come; there is a form the dentist signs off on saying you will not have any dental problems while deployed. They will do health checks at CRC, but you have to pay for it. If you are over 40 there are extra heath checks they do (EKG, Cholesterol). You will be issued protective gear like a body armor a Kevlar helmet and a gas mask. You have to wear the protective gear while you travel and that's the only time I wear it. You have to sign for the gear if you don't bring it back they can charge you or your company around 5 to 6 thousand dollars. Then on the last day you are cleared to go and some contractors fly the Military Rotator Aircraft to Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait. Some contractors fly commercial airlines into Kuwait City and then make their way to Ali Al Salem and then for all its Military Air to their destination. It's a really long flight 17 hours or so be ready for it. Once you are in country there should be some one to scoop you up and take you to the your new work place.
The Heat in Middle East can take some getting used to. The summers are brutally hot and it takes a couple weeks to acclimate. If you arrive in the summer drink lots of water as you body get used to the heat. Someone at CRC described the heat in Iraq like this: He said get your oven heated up to 500 degrees and then place a fan on the open door and then put your face down there. It is kind of like that, the heat feels very hot on your face. I guess that's why everyone over here wears scarves over their face. The average temperatures in Iraq are higher than 120o F in July and August and below freezing in January. A majority of the rainfall occurs from December through April and is more abundant in the mountainous region and may reach 40 inches a year in some places. The Iraqi climate is similar to that of the extreme southwestern United States with hot, dry summers, cold winters, and a pleasant spring and fall. Roughly 90% of the annual rainfall occurs between November and April, most of it in the winter months from December through March. The remaining six months, particularly the hottest ones of June, July, and August are dry. The influence of the Persian Gulf on the climate of Iraq is very limited. Near the gulf the relative humidity is higher than in other parts of the country.
In about three months you should used to everything and just be putting in your time and looking forward to your R&R and then that great day arrives when you get to go home.
I am currently working in Baghdad / Camp Victory Iraq. I have a Blog web page and a Squidoo web page which I update frequently. My Blog post are sometimes Funny and some post talk about events happening in Iraq today. The new security agreement has some big changes coming.
Come to my Blog and download a file with Iraq and Afghanistan Job Web Sites to help you in your search.
http://www.randybaghdad.blogspot.com
http://www.squidoo.com/Baghdad-Iraq
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