Iraq???

Yep, believe it or not, I just might head on over there, I got a job offer that's, well sorta interesting, but first I need more dirt on whats going on over there and what to expect. I got the low down from KBR, but you know the saying, if it's to good to be true probably is, right. You hear all the bad shiet and the like, but is it all what they say? So if anyone has been there, do you know anyone that works with KBR? drop me reply be interesting to hear more. I wouldn't even consider it but the money ain't all that bad, but there's a huge "IF"

 

RVFR,
Have been "fortunate" to only be sent to Afghanistan (x4). KBR is daddy warbucks, though, in both countries. I have seen both good and bad from them. Do not have alot of insider info, but have heard anecdotal stuff that leads me to believe you have the potential to be worked to the bone for that fat annual salary they are enticing you with. Plus, I think some of the tax-free bennies that the job used to boast have been weaned off now, but I could be wrong. Crazy, long hours. Guessing it depends on the specific job, though.

May I ask if is this an aviation related deal? Not to go to negative-town on ya, but contrary to popular believe, RPGs CAN shoot down helicoptors....

Godspeed whatever you decide. Money here in CONUS sucks these days, so a deployment may be the best deal going for ya.

Are they going to let you take your VFR? Make sure its in the contract!! :wink:

 

Never done Iraq (done Pakistan, Yemen, etc.) but have many contacts in Iraq. Lots better than it was, still not Disneyland. Believe it or not there are lots of 'admin' jobs paying big bucks. Depending on what they want you to do (and what the $ is) I wouldn't hesitate to go. Right now I'm debating about going back to Pakistan (or not, LOL!) Good Luck!

 

If you willing to give up riding, drinking, all the entertaiment for a year. Then go for it.
I have a few friends that work in Irag for private contract as Aviation mechanic and security force. Most of them are marines so away from home to them is normal. They got paid 100K to 150K a year depend on the position. The catch is you will be responsible for your way home if you break the contract. There are ton of other details. If you want I can check for you. BTW one of my friend (Master Sgt. Retired) is head to Irag sometime this month as a contracter.

 

Thanks guys, Man, no helicopter, be cool if, on second thought, na, I've heard they get shot down too. No VFR either, which could be a deal breaker, all thou I hear they let you ride around on mopeds you can get at the PX? I can just see that now Crazy.. My line of work would be in the water supply arena, like maintain and build new water systems. That's what I do over here, but now that the economy has fallen on it's ass I'm not seeing a good year ahead of me here locally, so I called in a marker on a contact and wouldn't ya know it KBR jumped, so it's mine to lose. Yea the money ain't bad considering, funny thing is I make that here when it's what it's suppose to be. Like mentioned, yea you put in 84 hour weeks 12- 7 for 4 months then 10 days RR, One won't go hungry by the looks of it, and they have gyms, pools, other things to do but when one works 12 hour days I'm not sure just how much leisure activity one can add to the list. Then there's the living conditions Oh my.. I know didn't expect a 5 star resort, but man o man looking at the photos over there has me second guessing, some places have it pretty good, others don't, so I'm looking at what I believe to be the better spots and seeing how that may apply. yea it's for a year. could be a long year or not, then there's the weather, looks to be like Las Vegas 110+ for a better part of the year, I can handle that as long as there is water and since I'm working that end of it would like to believe it would be ok. Biggest thing for me is getting over there and find out there's a bunch of over rated dip shiet losers slackers and they are in the position to make the calls, that and how well the civilian contractors work and blend in with the military, not sure if there's some resentment due to the pay scale and work load. I'm also checking up on lead foreman or supervisor positions, heard some real horror stories, but I'd like to think those are isolated cases? Any way lots to think and figure out. seems cool at first, then there's all the whats really what. keep the info flowing is all good to know. :wink:

 

I wouldn't go over there. still unstable and they hate americans. just my 2 cents..good luck with whatever you decide..

 

After all that sheit and abuse about me not making Mt Baker last year, you had better be back for the Mt. St Helen's run this you sumbeach. And capable of riding too. All digits attached.

 

Don't Get Involved In What Bu$h Screwed Up !!!

THE really sick thing is that the average GI gets 10% of the contractor's salary while facing the same or more danger!
(AND that's NOT RIGHT)

ALSO, KBR has been involved is several financial scandals like overbilling, no-bid contracts, using US -taxpayer money to BRIBE foreign officials, generally ripping-off the American taxpayer, and many etcs.

 

Lemme guess, Bush lied people died? LOL

 

My half brother has been over there as a translator comes home tomorrow for a visit. When I talk to him I'll get back to you, give you first hand info second person. Only thing is he blends in being full Assyrian. Being an American can be tough if your caught out in a small group. Cant spend that money if you don't have a head.

 

I would only go over there if the job situation was so dire and it was one of my few choices left to support my family, in these economic hard times, one has too make hard choices. Quality of life will definitely not be the same...

 

thanks Randy, yea I intend to come back fully intact. Yes it's a hard choice, I did get a bit of good news with a job contract I bid on at the end of the year, so this could be all for nothing, but I'm not counting my chickens just yet, that and it's only a year take as a long vacation haha, maybe I could spread the VFR love over there, god knows they need it.

 

I think the workload depends on the job. The KBR guys I worked with worked 7 days a week 12 hour days. The work was physically very easy, but all work gets to you after a while. The other KBR guys that did the jobs like it sounds you may get seemed "better off" as far as days off goes. But some of them worked with "local nationals" and that was hit or miss on work ethic. Good luck if you go!

 

Don't use the showers you may be in for a shock.
Peace

 

The answer to this dilema is as easy as two sentences.

1) The middle east is the undisputed heavy weight champion shit hole of the world.

2) Money isn't everything.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

WHAT, i thought #1 was Hackensack....

 

Thought the Pakistani Peshawar area might have taken over that honour ?

 

Well it's looks like KBR helped make up my mind for me to stay put. Ha I started asking this and that, in return I got way to many unanswered questions. Once I got a asking, I got the feeling it was a whole other person on the other end of the phone, they don't like it if you ask questions. Ha, they are just needing folks that shut up and put up. are they hiding something? Yes once broken down it works out to be like $30 ph for the pay, and no perks either. None!! you put in the hours and don't ask questions, stay the line, yea it looks like a lot. if I was to put in those hours here I'd make more, but then that's the catch, I'm not. Anyway for the time being I'm staying put, a couple local contracts came my way so I'm not so much in a hurry like I was. Thanks guys for the insight.

 

Good to hear. Now about Mt St. Hellen's. I am going to try to make it so that you will not have the pleasure of bashing me with my "Friends" in my absence like was reportedly done on the Baker run last summer.

Might drop in on you on my way back from Reggies in April

 

^ sounds good to me..