For those in the sandbox

[Turk10mm]

I have an opportunity to head over as a contractor working with Iraqi electronic data. Much of it is in need of my services, which is forensic type and electronic discovery. Basically, it'd be a job rooting out electronic data, catalogue and preservation. Its a defense contractor position that pays double what I make now. From the limited info I've been given, it'd be 3 months there, 1 month back, rinse and repeat. The month I'd be back wouldn't be off-time, but would instead be the backend paperwork and preservation side probably in DC (which SUCKS I hate DC).

I also don't know if I'm down with the idea of not being able to carry. I was sternly advised that this is against SOP. That just doesnt' jive well with me. I carry here in Texas, I should damn well be able to carry there where the percentage of people who want to kill me is exponentially higher.

Anyone know any contractors?

EDITED TO ADD
My company would probably support me in doing this and would keep me as an employee upon my return. So I'm not really worried about long term, except my well-being. The other down side is there would be significant travel in-country. To and from bases, government installations, etc. So IED's and general neck-on-the-line stuff would be somewhat typical.


FINAL EDIT: I turned this offer down today. When asked what it would cost to get me there I gave a number and was instantly told that he may try to hold me to that down the road, but couldn't on this gig. Over 3 times my current salary and 90 days out 30-60 R&R, 3 tours minimum..

So maybe he'll call back sometime later and I'll go.

 

[crafty199]

me personally, I would never go.....regardless of pay. Just not worth it. It is definitely a noble cause as far as the humanitarian side of trying to fix a screwed up infrastructure....but in the end it's like shoveling the driveway while it is still snowing. As soon as something gets fixed its blown up again. Forget politics.....it seems like a losing battle over there, literally and figurtively. Good luck and stay safe if you decide to go.

 

[AVB]

If I had the choice I'd go anywhere but in country, Afghanistan would even be OK but not Iraq. Mr.Bush's war of attrition is not something any citizen should feel safe about. The mama-sans may have provided the VC with info but they didn't go around blowing themselves up.

 

[lurch]

I'm down to go back any time. Then again I'm in the Marines and thats what I do. If I had the opportunity to go as a contractor I'd be there in a heart beat. I've talked to many contractors while 'over there' and they've all had great experiences. (besides the fact that they're in 130 degree heat) The military takes very good care of its contractors. We had 4 live with us for a while when I was there in 2004. Those guys had it made. They had they're own truck to come and go as they pleased. No curfew and they got liquor often. The pay is good and you're doing a great thing for your country.

When people ask me if I would go back I, of course, say yes. Not for the money, but for my brothers-in-arms who also sacrifice themselves for the American public. I would do anything for the people. Even if that meant putting my life on the line.

 

[mysterea]

A good friend of mine served from before the war through to now, first as a standard military issue Network Admin setting up communications. I'm not sure of exact years served, but I know he 're-signed' at least once..
Anyhoo, after he was 'done' there was rumor and suspicion that he'd be 'dragged back kicking and screaming' so he signed up as a civilian doing the same thing. He said the gig was pretty good, the pay even better. He was despising it by the end..

I should note though, he made enough cash to buy a thriving bar, and now that he's out the bad stuff probably isn't as bad in his memory. He also mentioned he was pretty safe, he worked in a huge camp, occasionally there would be mortar attacks and such, but he never saw any real damage.

If you'd like, I can certainly give him your email if you want to ask specifics etc. Just PM me

~R

 

[Glacies]

I'm down to go back any time. Then again I'm in the Marines and thats what I do. If I had the opportunity to go as a contractor I'd be there in a heart beat. I've talked to many contractors while 'over there' and they've all had great experiences. (besides the fact that they're in 130 degree heat) The military takes very good care of its contractors. We had 4 live with us for a while when I was there in 2004. Those guys had it made. They had they're own truck to come and go as they pleased. No curfew and they got liquor often. The pay is good and you're doing a great thing for your country.

When people ask me if I would go back I, of course, say yes. Not for the money, but for my brothers-in-arms who also sacrifice themselves for the American public. I would do anything for the people. Even if that meant putting my life on the line.

Well said bud

:thumbs:

 

[rsaavedra]

Turk10mm:
I am a OEF1 and OIF1 vet; I now work for a DOD Contractor in DC and have been back in IQ, AFG, KW and HOA numerous times. Certain companies can get waivers/exceptions to policy for you to pack heat (that's what I told my mil boss when I went to work for him) as a former SOF guy I won't go anywhere unless I'm packing, have them look into that and with the proper documentation it can be done. Are you by anychance working for I-3 and BFC? PM me with the answer, I might have contacts in country for you. As far as IED's are concerns they'r still a threat but not as much as it use to be, there have been lots of effort put in place for the IED mitigation.

Raf

 

[Turk10mm]

Turk10mm:
I am a OEF1 and OIF1 vet; I now work for a DOD Contractor in DC and have been back in IQ, AFG, KW and HOA numerous times. Certain companies can get waivers/exceptions to policy for you to pack heat (that's what I told my mil boss when I went to work for him) as a former SOF guy I won't go anywhere unless I'm packing, have them look into that and with the proper documentation it can be done. Are you by anychance working for I-3 and BFC? PM me with the answer, I might have contacts in country for you. As far as IED's are concerns they'r still a threat but not as much as it use to be, there have been lots of effort put in place for the IED mitigation.

Raf

Raf i work as a civilian and have my whole life. My particular technical expertise has never been militarized, as far as I'm aware so I haven't worked with anyone inside before. From what I know of my current contact, he's not mil either. I have no clue how far up the ladder it is until the government is actually involved. At this point its just a cursory question on whether I'd be interested or not. My industry is pretty small and tight nit, and I've never heard of this type of position 'over there' before. I didn't know they even had computers

 

[rsaavedra]

Turk10mm:
I am a OEF1 and OIF1 vet; I now work for a DOD Contractor in DC and have been back in IQ, AFG, KW and HOA numerous times. Certain companies can get waivers/exceptions to policy for you to pack heat (that's what I told my mil boss when I went to work for him) as a former SOF guy I won't go anywhere unless I'm packing, have them look into that and with the proper documentation it can be done. Are you by anychance working for I-3 and BFC? PM me with the answer, I might have contacts in country for you. As far as IED's are concerns they'r still a threat but not as much as it use to be, there have been lots of effort put in place for the IED mitigation.

Raf

Raf i work as a civilian and have my whole life. My particular technical expertise has never been militarized, as far as I'm aware so I haven't worked with anyone inside before. From what I know of my current contact, he's not mil either. I have no clue how far up the ladder it is until the government is actually involved. At this point its just a cursory question on whether I'd be interested or not. My industry is pretty small and tight nit, and I've never heard of this type of position 'over there' before. I didn't know they even had computers

Tim I have some very tight friends in Biometrics field that are in IQ at the moment working for I-3 (Ideal Innovations, Inc) and if you are headed that way I can put you in touch with them so they can help you with info, contacts and ground info when you get there.

As far as I-3 is a great company from which I worked hand-in-hand on lots of projects with their company president, let me tell you again is a good company. The reason I thought you were working with them is because the have people in Texas also: http://www.idealinnovations.com/whoWeAre/ourStory.asp

Anyways check their website: http://www.idealinnovations.com/home/default.asp

 

[MX]

Turk, very good question.

As far as I can tell the Contractors have a much easier time over here. Most of what makes this place suck is the "Regulations" we live under in the Army. Oh, and the mass murdering Fuggheads that we face all the time. But really, it is safer than the news would like you to believe. I have a friend, ex-Army MP that is doing Document Exploitation, and computer forensics as a contractor over here. I will try and see if I can get in touch with her and get the skinny.

No would I come back as a Civ. Yes, but my wife would kill me before I made it out the door. So, no, then I guess is the answer....

Tim

 

[Turk10mm]

Turk, very good question.

As far as I can tell the Contractors have a much easier time over here. Most of what makes this place suck is the "Regulations" we live under in the Army. Oh, and the mass murdering Fuggheads that we face all the time. But really, it is safer than the news would like you to believe. I have a friend, ex-Army MP that is doing Document Exploitation, and computer forensics as a contractor over here. I will try and see if I can get in touch with her and get the skinny.

No would I come back as a Civ. Yes, but my wife would kill me before I made it out the door. So, no, then I guess is the answer....

Tim

Thanks guys for the info. I'm torn. I just don't know if I'd really be doing a service to anyone except the US government as a greedy entity. I don't think I'd be doing anything to help Iraqies or the average american. It'd be purely for big business which is what I do now. So I don't think I could make myself feel like I was doing a service to my country.

If it was mainly going to be in one location, like a base, I think I'd have a better time with it. But from what I've heard there's supposed to be quite a bit of in-country travel. Mostly by helicopter is my gut feeling, but still. The whole IED thing and some insurgent with a sharp knife make want to stay in my AC'd office with a view of downtown houston.

blech, maybe i'm just a wus.

 

[rsaavedra]

I go in country (IQ, AFG, KW and HOA) all over the FOB's and Camps very often as much as 3-6 times a year. Believe me isn't bad at all. As far as service to your country you have no idea how much good the Biometrics guys in country do for our National Security as well as the security of the average good Iraqi citizen, trust me when I say the impact is very positive for our country.

Raf

 

[Allofus123]

My sons been over there as a Tech contractor for the past 2+ years. He's mostly in Kuwait but has made the trip into Iraq a few times from what he's told me. The last time he was home he was talking about not resigning another contract because they were going to cut back on some of his bonuses. I know when he signed on he had some pretty hefty bonuses tied to his contract for completing the full term. For a 26 year old he was making crazy money and most of it tax free.

Oh yea.... the sand and heat.... he says you get use to it..... no choice!

 

[Turk10mm]

FINAL EDIT: I turned this offer down today. When asked what it would cost to get me there I gave a number and was instantly told that he may try to hold me to that down the road, but couldn't on this gig. Over 3 times my current salary and 90 days out 30-60 R&R, 3 tours minimum..

So maybe he'll call back sometime later and I'll go.

 

[rsaavedra]

FINAL EDIT: I turned this offer down today. When asked what it would cost to get me there I gave a number and was instantly told that he may try to hold me to that down the road, but couldn't on this gig. Over 3 times my current salary and 90 days out 30-60 R&R, 3 tours minimum..

So maybe he'll call back sometime later and I'll go.

If you really want to go LMK, If you really want to go check with I-3, we can setup a time for you and I to chat and take it from there.

Raf

 

[mikey]

hello lurch,

thank you (and everyone else in the armed forces) for your service to this great country. because of your sacrafice and dedication to protecting the american people, our liberty, our democracy and our way of life, we are able to sit around here on CP and babble on and on about cigars all day.

with that in mind, i think i will get another package together for smitty to send out next week.

thanks,
mike

I'm down to go back any time. Then again I'm in the Marines and thats what I do. If I had the opportunity to go as a contractor I'd be there in a heart beat. I've talked to many contractors while 'over there' and they've all had great experiences. (besides the fact that they're in 130 degree heat) The military takes very good care of its contractors. We had 4 live with us for a while when I was there in 2004. Those guys had it made. They had they're own truck to come and go as they pleased. No curfew and they got liquor often. The pay is good and you're doing a great thing for your country.

When people ask me if I would go back I, of course, say yes. Not for the money, but for my brothers-in-arms who also sacrifice themselves for the American public. I would do anything for the people. Even if that meant putting my life on the line.

 

[lurch]

hello lurch,

thank you (and everyone else in the armed forces) for your service to this great country. because of your sacrafice and dedication to protecting the american people, our liberty, our democracy and our way of life, we are able to sit around here on CP and babble on and on about cigars all day.

with that in mind, i think i will get another package together for smitty to send out next week.

thanks,
mike

I'm down to go back any time. Then again I'm in the Marines and thats what I do. If I had the opportunity to go as a contractor I'd be there in a heart beat. I've talked to many contractors while 'over there' and they've all had great experiences. (besides the fact that they're in 130 degree heat) The military takes very good care of its contractors. We had 4 live with us for a while when I was there in 2004. Those guys had it made. They had they're own truck to come and go as they pleased. No curfew and they got liquor often. The pay is good and you're doing a great thing for your country.

When people ask me if I would go back I, of course, say yes. Not for the money, but for my brothers-in-arms who also sacrifice themselves for the American public. I would do anything for the people. Even if that meant putting my life on the line.

Thanks for the kind words bro.