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Private Military Security Contractors
#7540802
06/24/19 02:10 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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OP
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Posts: 5,271 |
I may have an opportunity to work for a private military security contractor. The job is in an engineering support role with radio communications and electronic countermeasure systems for IED's. The job pays twice what I'm currently making, that's the good news. The bad news is, the job will be in Somalia. My question is, has anyone here worked for one of these companies? Were you treated well by the employer and did they live up to their word? I am fully aware that Somalia is a dumpster fire and it's gonna suck being over there, but if I can stick it out for 5 years, I'll be able to comfortably retire. Looking for input from some folks who may have done that type of work.
Last edited by Palehorse; 06/24/19 02:12 AM.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540808
06/24/19 02:14 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 18,671
Roll-Tide
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Posts: 18,671 |
Have some friends who have done it. Theyre hard core Devgru guys, who are used to working abroad. But Somalia would be a deal breaker. 5 Somali years probably feels like 20 USA years.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540822
06/24/19 02:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12,103
ntxtrapper
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A long time ago I was offered 100,000 (tax free) a year to go and train military police in a Central American country on a 4 year contract. I was making about 40,000 a year at the time. After consulting with my father who had served in Vietnam during the worst years of it, I turned down the job. I had to work many years to make up what I would have made, but I'm still alive to type this.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540828
06/24/19 02:43 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
Depends on marital status and kids. If I was single with no obligations, yeah, I could make it work.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540830
06/24/19 02:46 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,240
Erny
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Sounds like heck of an opportunity. I am sure you have done this but have you googled the employer? I personally would be inclined to do it if things checked out!!
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540835
06/24/19 02:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,373
Bullfrog
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It does sound like a unique situation most dont get to experience. Question is, is it worth the experience in Somalia.
Single, Id do it. Married w kids, nope
Man if I knew what Oxner knows I could throw away what I know
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Erny]
#7540838
06/24/19 02:57 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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Sounds like heck of an opportunity. I am sure you have done this but have you googled the employer? I personally would be inclined to do it if things checked out!! They are on Glassdoor.com. The reviews are all over the place so it's hard to tell. There will always be disgruntled employees with any company that will give bad reviews but there are good ones too. Not sure.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540843
06/24/19 02:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
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Its currently ranked the most dangerous place on earth. No thanks.
Last edited by beaversnipe; 06/24/19 03:07 AM.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540902
06/24/19 10:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,808
The Dude Abides
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I worked in Somalia as a contractor for 18 months, 93-95. The worst s..hit hole on earth. No government and everyone is corrupt.
Last edited by TXGUNNER308; 06/24/19 10:46 AM.
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7540933
06/24/19 12:34 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,845
Stub
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Everything on the news is always so negative about all facets of Somalia, hunger, crime, murder, disease and after watching the movie Black Hawk Down no way Jose would I go there unless the money was ridiculous!
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#7540987
06/24/19 01:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,391
RedRanger
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Posts: 12,391 |
A long time ago I was offered 100,000 (tax free) a year to go and train military police in a Central American country on a 4 year contract. I was making about 40,000 a year at the time. After consulting with my father who had served in Vietnam during the worst years of it, I turned down the job. I had to work many years to make up what I would have made, but I'm still alive to type this. I would of jumped on that in heartbeat
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541006
06/24/19 02:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,015
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,015 |
Suffer (survive) through it for 5 years & then comfortably retire here. Sounds like a plan, but I'd also be worried about what 5 years in Somalia would do to you! I can guarantee you'll be a changed person after such a job.
NOT WORTH IT!
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Stub]
#7541044
06/24/19 03:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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Everything on the news is always so negative about all facets of Somalia, hunger, crime, murder, disease and after watching the movie Black Hawk Down no way Jose would I go there unless the money was ridiculous! Yea, it's sort of like Chicago without the deep dish pizza or hotdogs. I've got a telephone interview this Friday. I'm thinking about it. The schedule is 3 months in Somalia, 1 month back in the states for R&R and training, rinse and repeat. My kids are grown and gone and my wife and I pretty much lead separate lives now anyway, a product of my days in the military and working on the road after that. It's very tempting to be able to retire while I'm relatively young and in shape. As far as Somalia changing me, that could be but I have been in war zones before. Maybe not as bad as Somalia, but I'm no stranger to the s..tholes of the world.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541058
06/24/19 03:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,844
hopalong
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lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA - 903 474 7479 reservations
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541072
06/24/19 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,514
SnakeWrangler
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If I was given that chance Id do it...that would be my decision based on my current situation and future plans....
You have to make that decision for yourself and your family...good luck!
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541074
06/24/19 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 8,162
whitewing maniac
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Posts: 8,162 |
Guess this means no more surf reports, ha. Try the 3 months, if ya find out it ain't worth it, don't go back.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: The Dude Abides]
#7541157
06/24/19 05:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,808
The Dude Abides
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Posts: 9,808 |
I worked in Somalia as a contractor for 18 months, 93-95. The worst s..hit hole on earth. No government and everyone is corrupt. Let me add a little more content from my adventure there... I worked for Brown & Root. We lived on secure military bases but I did travel all over the country. Money was absolutely stupid back then...~ $500-$600 / day. We worked 7 days a week. R&R and Vacation time was very good. They paid for all travel to and from the Mog. Of course if you did not want to go then they paid you the travel cash and you kept on working. at 3 months, 7 days of R&R outside of Somalia at 6 months, 14 days vacation, ditto at 9 months, 7 days R&R, ditto at 12 months, 14 days vacation, ditto I enjoyed this s..hit hole so much that after Somalia I went straight to Rwanda for another 18 months. Best advice I can give it remember you are there to work and make cash. Don't buy junk or trinkets, travel light, have a plan on how you are going to remain safe if stuff goes south and get all your shot records up to date. BTW...I was single during my tour. I saw many of people go home because they couldn't hack it. Living conditions were pretty rough back then. I think "takewhatyoucan64" was there as well, maybe he can chime in.
Last edited by TXGUNNER308; 06/24/19 05:31 PM.
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541328
06/24/19 08:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 147
OTL91
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 147 |
IMO we send contractors to places so if something goes completely wrong the government can wipe their hands off it relatively easy without much impact to their voting base. A bunch of Seals get killed and movies are made, contractors get killed and it's just another day. This also impacts the amount of military assets you will receive if stuff hits the fan. Those folks took it to the best infantry unit the Army has to offer and for that reason, I'm out.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: The Dude Abides]
#7541332
06/24/19 08:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,997
fadetoblack64
giddyup
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giddyup
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,997 |
October 4 1993 I left with 6 bullet wounds. I would do it again right now if possible. Life is boring since then Good luck.
A 68 IQ is a brain surgeon over there. Most inbred f,s I've ever seen.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: fadetoblack64]
#7541344
06/24/19 08:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,344
Duck_Hunter
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October 4 1993 I left with 6 bullet wounds. I would do it again right now if possible. Life is boring since then Good luck.
A 68 IQ is a brain surgeon over there. Most inbred f,s I've ever seen. Woah. Glad you made it.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541429
06/24/19 11:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
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THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,241 |
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541441
06/25/19 12:03 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,429
Superduty
"The Regulator"
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"The Regulator"
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22,429 |
Last edited by Superduty; 06/25/19 12:06 AM.
'It's Only Treason if You Lose."
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: fadetoblack64]
#7541449
06/25/19 12:22 AM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
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Posts: 5,271 |
October 4 1993 I left with 6 bullet wounds. I would do it again right now if possible. Life is boring since. I get it. I was an EOD tech in the Navy. I remember thinking at the time, "Man, this really sucks". Since I've been out, I've had good jobs and I've had bad jobs. All of them seemed boring and trivial though, and I miss my military days. I'm looking forward to "embracing the suck" once again before I die.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541456
06/25/19 12:31 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,254
deerfeeder
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,254 |
You might be able to get back up if things go south with this President, but if he doesn't get re-elected and things go south it might be a long walk or swim out of there. Just saying....I ain't been there.
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Re: Private Military Security Contractors
[Re: Palehorse]
#7541491
06/25/19 01:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,808
The Dude Abides
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,808 |
October 4 1993 I left with 6 bullet wounds. I would do it again right now if possible. Life is boring since. I get it. I was an EOD tech in the Navy. I remember thinking at the time, "Man, this really sucks". Since I've been out, I've had good jobs and I've had bad jobs. All of them seemed boring and trivial though, and I miss my military days. I'm looking forward to "embracing the suck" once again before I die. Fire in the hole! NAVSCOLEOD Class 87-125 here, Indianhead, MD Surprised you didn't pick up on my signature line below.
Last edited by TXGUNNER308; 06/25/19 01:22 AM.
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.
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