American Civilians in Iraq

[combatdoc]

Does anyone know if there is a web site or gov. agency that someone with former medical and military experience can get a job working in Iraq? I know there are web sites for police officers to apply for security jobs.

[DocHayes]

Blackwater is the first that comes to mind. I think KBR might be another one... not really sure. A quick search my yield some results. Pay is pretty good... six figure salaries, and supposedly Medics get 3-4 month rotations.

I applied several months ago, but never heard anything back.

[BronzeBow]

Combatdoc, I recommended looking into Triple Canopy: http://www.triplecanopy.com/triplecanopy/en/careers/index.php. The SOCOM guys I've talked to hold them in high regard. Please keep us posted!

[combatdoc]

Thanks for the info. Will keep you informed if I get a response.

Semper Fi

Combatdoc

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

combatdoc wrote: Does anyone know if there is a web site or gov. agency that someone with former medical and military experience can get a job working in Iraq? I know there are web sites for police officers to apply for security jobs.
Its not all medical, but happy hunting... (Some are better and more direct than others)

U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM)
http://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/medcom-gwot/
https://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/public/vabSelfNom/index.jsp

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
http://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/coe-gwot/

USAJOBS
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/sofia.asp
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/veteranscenter/

Support Our Friends in Iraq and Afghanistan (SOFIA)
http://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/sofia/

Civilian Personnel On-Line (Army)
http://cpol.army.mil/

Department of Navy Human Resources
http://www.donhr.navy.mil/
https://chart.donhr.navy.mil/

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
http://www.opm.gov/index.asp
http://apps.opm.gov/HelpIraq/index.cfm


http://www.pentagon.gov/sites/c.html#CivilianJobOpportunities

http://www.export.gov/iraq/links/index.html

Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, U.S. Embassy/Baghdad
http://careers.state.gov/opportunities/iraq/index.html

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/employment.html

Humanitarian Relief
http://www.reliefweb.int/vacancies/

In addition to US government sponsored civilian jobs, more than 60 private firms currently employ more than 20,000 personnel there to carry out military functions (these figures do not include the thousands more that provide nonmilitary reconstruction and oil services). Halliburton's Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) division, the largest corporate PMF in Iraq, currently provides supplies for troops and maintenance for equipment and and provides services including food service, laundry, sanitation and utilities. Not to mention the personnel working for NGO's and news organizations.

[BronzeBow]

Here are some more links:

http://blackwaterusa.com/

http://www.halliburton.com/

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

If you want to work in Iraq, I would suggest you go with a gov or mil agency.

Word of advice when seeking a private contract job in Iraq: Ask lots of questions and READ THE FINE PRINT!

I looked into this back in 2004 and the big money sweet sounding deals quickly turned sour as soon as you brushed the glitter off it. Some of these characters are pretty shady and have no problem exploiting you to maximize profits. The work can be very dangerous and under very harsh conditions. Reservists will probably also need to terminate their military careers.

Some of the astronomical compensation numbers they quote include things like transportation costs to get you there & back (typically airfare for 4 one-way tickets), housing and meals, uniforms and gear, mandatory over-time, longevity bonuses, and a couple other items. I remember one company boasting $12k a month I checked on broke down to about $10-an-hour for a mandatory 70-hour work-week and if you did not work at least 6 months, you had to pay for your own plane tickets.

Certaincompanies also have no contingency plans. If things go bad, the cavalry is not going to ride in to rescue you and there is no real medical evacuation plan to get you back home. It is not like being in the militarythat can call in reinforcements, air support, and a MEDEVAC. You will likely have to rely on just the gear in your SUV to get you through the fight and hope a coalition military hospital is nearby and the guards will let you in for treatment.

You are completely dependant on your employer. Once in country, if you decide the job is not for you or the boss is a jerk, you might discover it is a little expensive and nearly impossible to coordinate safe transport out of Iraq and back home to the US. Think about it: An American alone in Iraq, defenseless, without transportation, doesn't speak the language, not allowed on company property, not entitled to military support, limited cash on hand, and half a world away from home. Do not let the promise of $$$ cloud your judgment and blind you to the reality.

Just some of the things to ask include:
- With so much subcontracting, who will you be working for? (Your paycheck might not come from the company that hired you and could be different from the company you're assigned to work with)
- Who will you be working with and where will you be working?
- What country's labor laws will I be working under? (US, UK, Kuwait, Iraq, etc)
- Is overtime mandatory or voluntary? When does overtime start (8hr, 10hr) and am I paid extra?
- What happens if I do not complete the minimum service period? (typically 6 months)
- What happens is I am injured or become ill or disabled? (short term & long term answers)
- What happens if I want to quit?
- Is my pay taxable by the US or foreign government? (how much?)
- How will I get paid and what type of banking facilities are there?
- Does the company provide housing & meals for free or do I have to buy it?
- Medical insurance, life insurance, benefits, vacation?

A contract is a contract and if you ink a deal without knowing the details, you are bound to get screwed! A lot of these high risk private jobs aren't that great once you look past the promise of quick cash....

[combatdoc]

Lots of great point there to consider HMC FMF thankss for everyones respose to this.