IRAQ.. Hmm Is every one trying to convince thereselves to go there ?

[smiley33zz]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (May 29) - A wave of car bombings and shootings plagued Shiite and Sunni areas of Iraq on Monday, killing more than three dozen people including two CBS crew members and a U.S. soldier. The network's correspondent was seriously wounded.


This was todays headline on AOL:

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060529065809990003&ncid=NWS00010000000001

Are we that desperate????

[The Wild Rover]

I do not think most of us are desperate to go to Iraq...in fact I believe according to the Jetsers opinion pole, most are reluctant...
However,
If I was offered $65-$80 dollars per hour, on a 60-70 hour week(which is what I have worked for hours the past 15 years anyhow), I have to take into consideration that I may be able to set myself up financially, for the rest of my life. Work when I want to, not when I have to...
On the other hand, you cannot spend it if you are dead. I believe we all must weigh the options, and to take what each feels is his own path in life. Many oof us have worked in war zones, have been shot at, and know at least one or two guys that have gone there. I believe, but I may be wrong, that Afghanistan may be more of a hazard right now than Iraq.

[TheJester]

I'm leaning more toward getting in touch with the Army Reserve to see if I can get that Black Hawk ride I was talking about earlier, rather than getting one there.

[toddlampiris]

Just make sure you don't join!!! They're all over here, some on 3 rotations already..

[Shrek]

wasn't that thrilling for me....waited for hours after scheduled flight....finally hurried us to flight line in middle of night and flight took 15 minutes from Liberty to Fallujah...and here I sit enjoying the sunny weather.:banghead

[toddlampiris]

Sorry bro.. Couldnt find a bigger shiite hole than Falluja eh?? Is Fallujah still getting hit daily? Been pretty quiet in Taji lately. Too hot for insurgents maybe??:cheers :AR15

[global]

:cheers Well I just got off R&R and I have to tell ya....after being with the kids for 3 weeks there is no way in hell I would ever go to Iraq. I dont care what they're paying.
Theres more to life then money my friends.
If I was single it would be different, but just to much to risk on this end.
Ya'll be safe:2cents

[SoulGloww]

Jus got back from 9 months in Nicaragua.
Next stop Triple Canopy. Havent been anywhere in the middle east since 03 ( Saudi Arabia). So Im kinda looking forward to it

But yeah the news coverage has me a little skeptical, but we'll see

[pensacola_niceman]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (May 29) - A wave of car bombings and shootings plagued Shiite and Sunni areas of Iraq on Monday, killing more than three dozen people including two CBS crew members and a U.S. soldier. The network's correspondent was seriously wounded.


This was todays headline on AOL:

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060529065809990003&ncid=NWS00010000000001

Are we that desperate????
It really depends on where in Iraq. If your work is in the green zone or Victory Base Camp, I think the risk is not that high. It's traveling out of the camps or the green zone that the real danger kicks in. Victory Base is so heavily patrolled that I feel fairly safe here.

The more remote the camp and the smaller it is, the more danger.

[mexfishguide]

Where the hell did you get that big ass chicken?:wtf I mean rooster.

I thought us southern boys had killed all them out. The big ones are a little tough but they still taste like chicken.:rockwoot:

Guys the decision to work Iraq are not, is a personal thing, if US$65 is your figure and the killing deal does not scare you then grab it. As stated earlier if your dead it is hard for you to spend the money.

I know several guys that are spending a dead mans savings and servicing his widow, so think first.:AR15

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

[Matthew Kline]

I know Iraq is bad, my bother-in-law was there and he's telling me I can get a job WITH NO MILITARY EXPERIENCE. Is it possible? :fauches: Dont know how to get a clearance w/out military. COULD THOUGH

[TheJester]

Yep, the companies that you sign on with will get it for you. Not a problem as long as you are either honest with the clearance paperwork or have a clean record.

[Matthew Kline]

bout' as honest as they come. never been arrested had back ground checks before. Not worried bout that just what are they looking for and where do i find them. OR is be a subscriber going to give me that!

[alky]

Trying to obtain a S or TS clearance by yourself is next to impossible. The companies that you apply with do that for you. You just need to fill out the paperwork starting 9 mos before you were born, never claimed bankrupcy, and most of all been good to your Nanny.
Question your know it all brother as to where he got his information and what contractor is needing your services.
Good luck and keep us posted

[Matthew Kline]

My bro-in-laws (2, were embassy Guards in Marines) told me KBR was looking for Heavy Equipment Operator and truck drivers in Iraq. And making GOOD money. I applied and nothing for 2 months.:wtf :2cents

[HeadRat]

Most likely they are not in the point of getting people cleared and sending them over, but just sending already cleared people. Not hearing from a company for 2 months is not that uncommon though.
Keep trying to email and even pick up a phone too. KBR is gigantic and it's easy to fall between the cracks, getting lost.

[Matthew Kline]

Thanks for that encouragement been reading some post ALOT of good info and PEOPLE. :cheers

[HeadRat]

Yep, become a Subscriber and you'll get more of the in's and out's. We're a pretty helpful bunch.

Become a Monthly Subscriber here:
http://www.ratpackinternational.com/xpresscart/store.cgi?p=Regular_Monthly_Subscription_Regular_M onthly_Subscription&s=11_Subscription_Regular

Save money with our 6 Month Subscription Package here:
http://www.ratpackinternational.com/xpresscart/store.cgi?p=6_Month_Subscription_6_Month_Subscript ion_Special&s=21_Subscription_Special

[Justus]

.

[Justus]

The good news is most jobs in Iraq don't require a security clearance. The bad news is the new procedure to get a CAC card involves filling out the same paperwork as the clearance.

From what I've been told, they only do the police checks in the places you've lived for the past 5 years (no interviews); if anything flags on those checks, you are either flat denied a CAC (usually) or they might do a deeper investigation.

I know a guy who had a DUI and that was his only "bad mark" on the police check; he was denied a CAC with no further investigation. He appealed and was denied a second time (again with no further investigation), just a week ago.

[pensacola_niceman]

Where the hell did you get that big ass chicken?:wtf I mean rooster.

I thought us southern boys had killed all them out. The big ones are a little tough but they still taste like chicken.:rockwoot:

Guys the decision to work Iraq are not, is a personal thing, if US$65 is your figure and the killing deal does not scare you then grab it. As stated earlier if your dead it is hard for you to spend the money.

I know several guys that are spending a dead mans savings and servicing his widow, so think first.:AR15

Take Care
Mexfishguide:cheers

I am just a man with a big cock.

I will reiterate that not all positions in Iraq are all the dangerous. You're really quite safe a Victory Base Camp. You don't even enter the red zone (outside the wire) when you land at Baghdad airport, since Victory surrounds the airport.

A job in the International Zone (IZ) in Central Baghdad requires a 10km trip through the red zone; however, all ex-pats travel there with in an armored vehicle with a security team.

Yes, there are certainly still risks working here. Iraq is definitely not for everyone.

[toddlampiris]

Victory SUCKS!! Too many REMFS.. Can't even take a shiite w/o tripping over a bird Col. Now this shithole Bagram AB in Afgh. is like camping under the stars, but with really F'n loud fighter jets and lots 'o land mines HOOOAH!!! (whatever the phuq that means).... Oh yea you guys in Beijing still suck!! HAHAHAHAHA
:AR15

[pensacola_niceman]

Victory SUCKS!! Too many REMFS.. Can't even take a shiite w/o tripping over a bird Col. Now this shithole Bagram AB in Afgh. is like camping under the stars, but with really F'n loud fighter jets and lots 'o land mines HOOOAH!!! (whatever the phuq that means).... Oh yea you guys in Beijing still suck!! HAHAHAHAHA
:AR15
I rarely ever see a bird Col. It is loud here too with the constant Blackhawks and aircraft noise from BIAP. Iraq is definitely a shithole no doubt.

The green zone is even worse as far as aircraft noise. Those fucking asshole Blackwater cowboys hanging out of a helicopter only 100 feet off the deck. They think they're so damn cool making themselves targets like that.

[mattsindian]

If u really want to go to Iraq that bad just check (EVERY) month online at KBR and at the hotels in big cities when they r hosting a JOBRFAIR FOR KBR...u will get hired there but u have to stay on top of this the way I explained it. Your resume will only sit in a database if u send it to an email. Put your face in the place , shake the hands , sign the paper, pass the tests, pack your bags and fly into Iraq. Been there done that (3xs) got the tshirt and hookah and fake Rolexs. Have fun.
Indian in Oklahoma

[Spook555]

Have any of you out there been to Djibouti? I am here on my first over seas placement. This place sucks. Are most posts like this. I am new to the Rat Pack but sure I will fit in like the stinking, dirty rotten, rest of you.

[Justus]

I had a job offer for Djibouti last year or year before and when I researched it...no thanks. And I'm not that picky either; I've been to Africa twice so far and liked one place and loved the other. Always research each place, a LOT, before you sign the contract.

Yes, some places are real POSs, others are fantastic. Worst for me...Kingston, Jamaica (and I say that as I sit in Iraq). Sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad.

[mattsindian]

Spook ,

Hang in there bro. It could be worse...like -30 below Zero in Afghanastan. They were offering $17/hr plus combat uplifts there at a recruiters mtg in Doha this past Sept.
I take it your stuck inside the FOB for your safety.
Press on and keep your head down.
Out of work thanks to ITT mandatory RIF (or No Sev Pay) if we didnt sign the dotted line at the demob mtg.

IndianofOkla:cheers

[Spook555]

Oklahoma,
What is your tribe? Mine is also in Oklahoma, Chickasaw.

[mattsindian]

Then we truly are brothers...Chuckma!

The Great Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma:cheers:rockwoot:

[Megga Watt]

Oklahoma,
What is your tribe? Mine is also in Oklahoma, Chickasaw.

Then we truly are brothers...Chuckma!

The Great Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma:cheers:rockwoot:
Go get a room you two :lol: :lol: :lol:
:bigbeer