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.

Have some friends who have done it. They�re 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.

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.

Depends on marital status and kids. If I was single with no obligations, yeah, I could make it work.

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!!

It does sound like a unique situation most don�t get to experience. Question is, is it worth the experience in Somalia.

Single, I�d do it.
Married w kids, nope

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.

Its currently ranked the most dangerous place on earth.

No thanks.

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.

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!

I would of jumped on that in heartbeat

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!

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.

NOT WORTH IT!

If I was given that chance I�d 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

That�s no joke!!!

https://borgenproject.org/top-10-facts-about-living-conditions-in-somalia/


https://www.businessinsider.com/somalia-is-the-most-failed-state-on-earth-2013-7


Nope!

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.

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.

Fire in the hole! NAVSCOLEOD Class 87-125 here, Indianhead, MD

Surprised you didn't pick up on my signature line below.