overseas contracting

[asynk]

Anyone here have experience working at bases in the middle east? I am curious what life and the job is like there. I know the money is insane and of course it is hazardous but I don't know reality. Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[notme11]

If you like to make alot of money its great, I personally have not gone but a roommate I had did, the hours are insane at times and the military can only secure you so much. as for my old roommate sadly to say I heard from the FBI about 2 years later that he had been kidnapped in IRAQ and they wanted any info I could give them on him to see if they could reach his family and any identifying mark on his body to try and match it with some of the bodies found.
its been about 4 years and never heard back. what good is all the money if you can't spend it.

 

[openthegate]

My father works overseas in Iraq doing electrical contracting. The unit that works for him is about 25 guys from various countries that dont speak any english. He loses about 3 a week that are either shot while working or come up missing. But the money is good. But as ricoa01 as said what good is the money if you cant spend it. My dad has had a mouth full of dirt many times waiting for the gun fire to end.

 

[asynk]

Wow those are scary stories. However, this would be maintaining a PBX and never leaving the base. I have a friend in Kabul doing the work since August and he seems okay with it. It would be over triple my salary and allow me to reach a big dream and also provide my family amazing stability in this rough economy. I am still considering it but leaning toward going, all things considered.

 

[bhassell2000]

I know with the economy I am struggling big time to pay bills but my wife and I would rather get the house forclosed on than for me to go to Iraq to get a few dollars.

Thanks,

Buddy

 

[yyrkroon]

it all depends on the job, some jobs doesn't even require leaving the compound and anywhere you go, you're going with armed security. I spent 2 yrs just outside of baghdad in a "secure" compound woking on statellite relays and we were still harassed on a weekly basis. only left the compound 3 times in 2 yrs and yes people do end up missing and security detail do fail to make it back.

the money is good, but after about 6 months, you wished you weren't there. most contract jobs are a 1 yr or more, just make sure you're fully aware before you jump in...think beyond the $$$

 

[WebManagerNY]

If it would allow you to 'reach a big dream' and might otherwise not be reached, I say it might be worth the risk.

Do you need to sign a contract? If not, why not go over and take the position to check out the situation first hand. If you're never leaving the base, I imagine your experience would be different that what is being discussed above.

Good Luck...

 

[DocVic]

Bhassell, blackbox took all of my accounts and my customers are hating life. They are losing money on these guys because they send out the cheapest guys to do the work, and it takes them days (and 4 times the cost) to get things done. I have started picking up independents that don't have contracts. I go in and clean the systems up. Load patches, update sets, and clean up the MDF's. It's going good so far. Avaya is still in disarray. They are giving my customers problems on upgrades. They can't find info, unless you start yelling.
We're looking at the 3CX for small businesses too. Don't give up. Start making calls.

Asynk, if you can stay on base, you're almost 75% safe. If you have the experience, and can make yourself very visible to the leads, you could come back to another contracting job. It's kinda lonely contracting, but if you can sustain the family, you'll be okay. Do a lot of talking with your spouse and let her make the decision. Good luck.

DocVic
Dedicated to Nortel Products till the end.
Need help? Call Me Now!

 

[bhassell2000]

Doc, I am laughing, I work for Blackbox on a Govt site but they don't pay well at all

Thanks,

Buddy

 

[DocVic]

Sorry, and I don't mean to disparage you in any way, but here in Colorado, they use the cheapest (non-certified) guys they can find. That's okay though, cuz I'll get them back in June.

DocVic
Dedicated to Nortel Products till the end.
Need help? Call Me Now!

 

[bhassell2000]

I took no offense at all Doc, I was laid off and Blackbox was the only one hiring. I do have certs from Global Knowledge and 10 years experience with Nortel so I am hoping somethng better comes along soon

Thanks,

Buddy

 

[DocVic]

Hey Buddy, it's time for you to start your own company. Sit down and come up with a name that says what you do and who you your are. Register you name with the state and then go get your business license. Start making calls to lawyers, financial firms, and schools. Where did you last see a system that you didn't service? Make the call. I left Nortel 15 years ago and started my company. It's been good. I love what I do. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know, but if someone is listening, go ahead and do it too. It's your future. Motivation and Knowledge. It's hard to beat.

DocVic
Dedicated to Nortel Products till the end.
Need help? Call Me Now!

 

[johnpoole]

i made good money overseas. decades ago. i'd consider a tour if the job and money was right. and jn another life i made killer money with my own company.. 90 hour weeks, and employees that drove you crazy..

.if you want realize that you need good life insurance..combat zones are not like in the movies. lots of boredom, and terrible food, bad jokes.

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[asynk]

I appreciate all the feedback. This opportunity is maintaining a CS1K at a large base. I have about 11 years on X11 and am NCSS. The "big dream" probably doesn't fit in a telecom forum but my desire is to help others as a physical therapist. Specifically I want to work with amputees and hopefully children. With this job, I could afford to not work for the years of PT school. I have a friend working at the same position in Kabul and I have researched every detail as best I can. The worst could happen but I also could have been killed on my motorcycle on the way home today....

 

[johnpoole]

i'm 60 plus.. 40 years in the trade, 38 months in a combat zone, 6 years in the corps..

if you never take a chance, you will never see that dream. you'll be doing what your doing now at 60.

i chased my dream, i made mistakes, and i wouldn't change a thing.. i wanted to retire on a farm with 40 grandkids.. i have 37 now

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[openthegate]

asynk,

Look up information on the base and see if you can talk to the last person that worked the job or someone stationed there. If there is not a lot of action there and the last person doesnt send you any red flags or horriable stories from his tour there then go for it! I worked several years doing telecom at military bases and enjoyed the locations but I have never worked at one in a combat zone. I couldn't grasp being confined to base and not able to leave. Sounds like prison to me. But you have to follow your dreams. Good Luck!

 

[marcuspb]

The thing that most people overlook is the strain on relationships. People see dollar signs and think thier problems will be over, if you and your wife aren't used to being apart for long periods of time then it might not be worth it.
I did insurance adjusting for about six months after Katrina and Rita and the strain on my marriage wasn't worth the bags of money I made.
I have a cousin that is still adjusting, divorced now, and a good friend that went to Iraq for a year and his marriage is pretty much done.
Just my 2 cents.