Getting back into overseas contracting

[BMCSean]

I did a bunch of flight security missions all over the place, the old AK reference just made me think of a "guard" at a place we stopped in the middle of no where in Ethiopia. Old dress uniform with ripped pants that were way too big, shirt halfway unbuttoned, sandals, and a beat up , AK with on mag. He was guarding a run down little building by sitting in front of it on a plastic lawn chair.

[KBScobravert]

Africa, deployments, etc...

Oh. I did some time in Congo, Zaire and Sierra Leone back in the 90s when I was in the Marines. We were staged up in Congo to go fuck up Mobutu and evac US personnel. Ended up in Sierra Leone right afterwards and evacuated the US Embassy and about 3,000 Africans with supposedly ties to the embassy there.

[BMCSean]

memories of?

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Africa, deployments, etc...

[KBScobravert]

Lol! Brings back memories, I had some pictures too but they were lost long ago.

memories of?

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[KBScobravert]

Ya, avoid that crap like the plague. They'll give you a clapped out AK, taken from the hands of a dead Somali kid, an expired level II vest and teamed up with former cooks that have awesome combat stories.

2 different type of jobs. Somalia is a security management role not overseeing a guard force but a security process. The stuff in Afghanistan would be me as actual guard force on bases. Tower guard, ecp, rover stuff.

You know I've played the game long enough to spot a shitty deal when I see it.

[BMCSean]

Lol! Brings back memories, I had some pictures too but they were lost long ago.

[KBScobravert]

Thanks Obama...

I think the delay is due to the election year.

After reading your thread about CDL driving I was curious about what happened here.

Yep. Exactly why that thread. CDL as an intermediate measure while I keep working other angles.

The latest was a job I'm slated for in Mogadishu keeps getting pushed to the right on the calendar. Last I heard had a soft target date of June.

If you follow the news in Africa much, US special operations community has been fucking Boko Haram and AQ in the face these last 2 weeks. Going on a offensive they killed about 150 guys who were training to attack US and Africa forces in Mogadishu. That was followed a few days later with a capture mission of one of the head dicks. I'm sure that things are ramping up but spending money on base construction and contracted services is on hold due to the campaign and election processes.

I have my resume in with some other companies in Afghanistan but they armed security postings that probably pay shit and are pretty high risk given the current climate there also. When you see phrases like "immediate need" "no combat deployment history needed", etc, you can deduce, shit pay for shit work. But feet in the door are all I need.

[Jewrrick]

After reading your thread about CDL driving I was curious about what happened here.

[KBScobravert]

Yes, but those companies that weren't getting paid were telling the guys in country that they were getting IOUs.

I can see that with mom and pops. publicly traded companies shouldn't have those struggles making payroll.

I get your point though. I worked for a small outfit who was a sub of fluor. there were some sketchy times.

[KBScobravert]

I knew some people that were LOGCAP that moved to State when the drawdown occurred. Their companies were not getting paid and their contracts were not getting renewed before the previous expired. Some went a couple of months without pay, only IOUs.

I think it was mostly an overwhelming load by the State to take them all on at once, but I'm not too sure it's common practice.

luckily I will be paid by the company.

[KBScobravert]

I am still on, but the wait for the word "go" is killing me. I didn't hear anything for 2 weeks while everyone was on vacation for the holidays. Got a call on New year's day that the State Department is wanting to take over us instead of the contract falling under LOGCAP. Not sure if that is good or what. Word is that they making a decision this week.

I'm ready to go, last week.

[cobrajet69]

In Afghanistan OPSEC was a concern but this will be a whole new ball game. OPSEC and disclosing personal identifying information or travel will definitely be more of a concern for me. Heck, this thread may dissappear after awhile too. It is going to be the adventure of a lifetime in this career field and one heck of a resume bullet point.

Have DiAnn shoot me a text when needed... I can snipe Skinnies from long distance with my new toy if she spots for me.



David

[ceyko]

Being on a 15 on and 6 off rotation now has helped my daughter get used to the idea of daddy not always being at home. We talk a lot on the phone though while I'm gone so I hope we can continue that. I might finally figure out Skype too.

My tax game is on point. I just have to make this job last 365 days and it will be good to go.

I forget about the ease of video comms these days compared to 10-15 years ago. Facetime may do as well.

Those video sessions will make all the difference in the world to both of you.

Take care

[KBScobravert]

I don't know you, but have enjoyed your posts. Godspeed on this adventure!

Thanks man. As long as we have Internet that isn't restricted to death, I will still be here. I'm just not sure how much I can disclose about where we are or what we are doing or even if I will want to. There are a lot of Somalians in the US sympathetic to ISIS and Al Shabaab in their home country. In Afghanistan OPSEC was a concern but this will be a whole new ball game. OPSEC and disclosing personal identifying information or travel will definitely be more of a concern for me. Heck, this thread may dissappear after awhile too. It is going to be the adventure of a lifetime in this career field and one heck of a resume bullet point.

Have fun man, with 2 kids no way I could personally do it again unless I absolutely had to do it. However, kids are kids and will just be happy to see you when you get back.

It is a more interesting line of work that most things stateside though and if you can stay out of country long enough the tax break is motivating.

Anyway, good luck and I hope it all works well for you.

Being on a 15 on and 6 off rotation now has helped my daughter get used to the idea of daddy not always being at home. We talk a lot on the phone though while I'm gone so I hope we can continue that. I might finally figure out Skype too.

My tax game is on point. I just have to make this job last 365 days and it will be good to go.

[ceyko]

Have fun man, with 2 kids no way I could personally do it again unless I absolutely had to do it. However, kids are kids and will just be happy to see you when you get back.

It is a more interesting line of work that most things stateside though and if you can stay out of country long enough the tax break is motivating.

Anyway, good luck and I hope it all works well for you.