I need advice from former veterans and private security contractors about the middle east. I’m a 24-year-old male with 4 years of military experience in the infantry in the Aussie Army. Never been deployed, seen actual combat or was an NCO. I’m getting out in a week and I have a contracting job lined up for Iraq for a static security gig. I got it through connections by doing a PSD course in Europe for a month because the instructors liked me. So, what I want to know is:
>What is day to day life as a private security contractor in Iraq like? >Are certain regions/cities in Iraq offer a significantly different experience? >As a private security contractor doing static security in Iraq, will I potentially see combat? If so, how often will I see combat? >What are the locals like? >If any of you are or have contractor experience, what’s it like being a private security contractor in the middle east? >How hard is it being in a hostile environment for a prolonged period of time? I’m over there for a year for my contract. >How dangerous is it for a private security contractor in comparison for a NATO soldier over there? >How does Iraq compare to Afghanistan at the moment for levels of risk and danger? >What kit should I buy in terms of pouches, plate carriers and webbing?
You're going to be bored as fuck. It's literally firewatch but full time. Might open a gate for people every now and then
Carson Mitchell
Also, will the technical job knowledge and fitness related standards in the Middle-Eastern Private Security Industry be as high as those standards set by the Military? Or is it cruisy? I have the job, but so far, but I’ve been given no information on the standards required. I know I’ll be working with a former Canadian US, UK and Canadian SOCOM veterans who have far more experience than me, so I don’t want to be under prepared. Been training for it like crazy, I’ve gotten my push-ups to 120 without stopping, my 1.5 mile run down to 8:50 minutes, pullups to 15 and I’ve put on 10 kilos to make my weight 95 kilos. But I feel it isn’t enough…?
Camden Peterson
Have you done it or had experience? Can you explain more?
Leo Gray
Most likely you will be beheaded and noone will care because you are a contractor
Samuel Ortiz
without prying too much, what exactly does the job entail, because many of them are "gate guard" or compound duty, which like the other user said just involve standing around waiting for something to happen, and then you are the first one to be exposed to the threat.
also dont forget about VBIED like in Afghanistan
Jeremiah Sullivan
That's where it's vague. I know they're hiring 250 people somewhere in Iraq. They've flat out told us it's a static security gig. Other than that, we're in the dark man.
Nicholas Williams
From what I understand pretty much all of that will vary depending on which company you're working for. Some run a tight ship and provide most of your equipment, some throw a 30 year old underfolder AK in your hands and call it a day
The chance of being in a real fight is significantly lower than back during the surge, too. Though that would obviously somewhat vary on where exactly you're being posted.
James Richardson
>"Greg, you can't go back to Iraq, last time your convoy was ambushed!" >"Don't worry babe, the State Department protects its own, I'll have the best, most experienced military contractors around." >Get in country > Guard is 22 year old Aussie kiddo who can't speak Arabic and has never deployed.
It's funny when the State Department and "State Department" CIA probably would mount a better defense then the PMCs but get paid less than half.
Ryan Edwards
I'll admit I was kissed on the dick by god himself to get this job. I'm under-experienced, but I'm determined and a fucking hard worker.
Isaiah Price
>He doesn't trust Iran to keep meddeling until the government is their sectarian puppet and they alienate the Kurds and Sunnis into reveling again.
US focus is off again with IS mostly defeated. Iraq will probably be back at war thanks to Iran in no time.
Carter Cooper
I just finished a tour in Afghanistan. The static security guards I had dealings with didn't do too much. They guarded a gate entrance to an American complex from the ANA side. They never really did much work. Lift gate, shut gate, pray no dumbass haji wants to do something retarded. Enjoy the 60-80k a year tax free.
Isaiah Murphy
You'll be handed an m16 and told your basic duties, which you will have mastered by your first day. They don't tell you much about it because then you wouldn't want to do it. Hopefully you're either getting paid a lot or using it as a stepping stone into a WPS contract. t. Former SOF who does contracting now
Ryder Mitchell
Hey, any information is good information. I just want to get as much information as I can before I ship off. Cheers dude.
Caleb Robinson
They told me it's a pretty shitty job, but they said it'd give me that pre-requisite year of commercial experience to actually move onto PSD/CP work like I want to do. I'm willing to do the shit work and hard yards to get to where I want to be.
That's the paygrade alright dude
Austin Roberts
My brother did a similar gig. Said that he was bored shitless. Biggest job was when someone fucked up ordering coffee pods for the Nespresso.
Yank ex-military guys were insufferable and most couldn't understand that they were not still in the military. Loss of pissing about being a marine or some other type of crack elite.
When it came down to it, they were just as useless as he was.
Plus side was making good cash to sit and watch a bank of tv monitors and the duty-free shopping + whoring in Pattaya on the way home.
Jaxson Nelson
I've only ever worked with yanks via army exercises. The US army infantry guys I worked seemed they were pretty poorly trained. Can't anything about marines since I never worked with them, but their job knowledge wasn't too high.
Grayson Miller
Yeah, the paygrade has slipped over the past few years but so has the danger. It is easy money. I hope you are with a decent company. Worse case scenario, get some IT certs, make nice with recruiters, and double your money doing less work.
Christian Cook
Without sounding elitist or trying to shit on the US Army Infantry, Aussie, UK, and Commonwealth soldiers I've worked with as a whole receive far more training than the ones in the US do. I mean a met this one American guy who claimed to be an "advanced" infantry soldier because he did some 20 day course and got qual'ed on like 4 other weapon systems than the m4/m16. We and the brits get qual'ed on like 12 before we even earn our berets lol
Jordan Morris
Even if you had combat deployments it wouldn't matter, it would just mean you know the work/op tempo and living conditions, maybe what it's like to be shot at, and can be reasonably trusted to do your job when shit goes down.
The only time employers are interested in your deployments is if it was for a specialty skill they are looking for like EOD, medic, dog handlers, designated marksman, special operations type shit or whatever and you've no shit done the job in-country.
Your standard operating procedures, rules of engagement and escalation of force are completely different in the private contracting world.
Shit I got away over a decade ago would get me fired off a contract at best these days.
The typical static gig is going to be boring as fuck but you're still getting paid to eat three times a day and workout when you're not standing post.
Noah Myers
Yeah I'm not doing it for the pay, the pay has never been a big deal for me. I'm just doing it for the experience and it's always what I've wanted to do, it's why I even joined the military in the first place.
The contract is legitimate I know for a fact, since my former instructor from my CP course gave it to me, so I'm looked after in that regard, I know I get 7 weeks of free training before I start to get my medical quals like my FPOS Lvl 3 and MIRA so that's a good bonus.
Jackson Stewart
Ah that's it dude, I guess until I've experienced the work/op tempo for living conditions in country for a year or what it's like to even be shot at; how can I expect to be trusted at the job or even be trusted to do PSD work. I'm looking at it as a challenge and learning experience. Like to think I'll be cool when shit goes down, but until I actually experience it for real then I mean, who I am to say I can handle it?
Like I said, I'm looking to specialize in the next few years. Doing a Bachelor's degree on the side too in Security Studies. I know the rules are completely different as well, I went overseas about a year ago to do a month-long PSD course in Europe, that's how I even got the job man.
Whether it's boring as fuck, fun as fuck or scary as fuck isn't really a concern of mine my dude. I'm just in it to learn!
Jason Richardson
I worked quite a bit with the Aussies where I was located. Most of which ran the hospital, the NATO Service Desk, and random Infantry dudes.
Good group of guys, and I wish you the best of luck on the job. Only advice I can give you, learn how to make mead before you go, bring an air filter face mask, and they rarely ever check incoming mail.
David Hill
cheers for the advice dude! Much appreciated!
Jeremiah Kelly
Hey bro, sucks that you came from 2RAR. A mate of mine left a few years back right after the CO went on about there being no trips and whatnot. Best of luck. t. current choc going ARA
Samuel Hall
I want to know more OP, how'd you land this gig?
Anthony Rivera
Iraq is literally controlled by the pro-Iranian faction. Why would they fund a guerrila war against themselves?
Xavier Collins
Literally, by having massive balls
Josiah Bell
Good luck Aussie fellow!
-From Canadian Captain who answers across to information requests.
Josiah Murphy
At the time I was literally some Aussie kid who on was his Christmas leave in Europe, who one day rocked up to this training institution, enrolled in a course he had no idea about but did it because it looked cool. They even gave me half price because they couldn't believe that I cancelled my flight back home and had no backup plans or anywhere to stay for the night just to check out their course in person.
I was the youngest and least experienced guy there, completely out of my fucking league, no one knew where the hell I was, and all my staff and students were in disbelief that I was doing some PSD in my Christmas leave. I was 22, in a course full of 30 to 40 year old ex SF guys, the only Australian they ever had to do their course and the youngest guy to ever do their course. I think I must have surprised the shit out of them to even pass it or even end up there in the first place.
Maybe that's why they offered it to me...?
Isaiah Hernandez
Its gonna be chill af, you didnt do shit so youre not going to be doing any badass hollywood merc gunfighter gigs, stop over thinking it. Youll probably get bored af, workout alot, watch netflix, try to fuck DoD sluts, learn to hate local nationals, and wonder if this dumb shit is even worth it unless youre making 6 figures. The only redeemable thing about your lameass babbies first contracting gig is that itll be like the boring shit in the military, without 60% of the bullshit you dealt with in the military. Be advised, youll still get like 40% of the bullshit.
My advice, quit fucking overthinking it, its not hard, use the time to stay in shape, read, learn new languages, work on yourself etc, to slowly improve yourself amd make yourself a more marketable individual, try to get useful courses and shit if you can to pad your resume, always write down names, dates, places etc of any no-no shit to keep as insurance if anyone tries to fuck you over (contracting is pretty much corporate world and no one fucking cares about you, youre just another employee, not a member of a tightknit group like the mikitary was, so cover your ass) and just try to enjoy the ride.
Dont be the faggot who shows up wearing gayass tacticool hats and patches and every item from crye precisions catalogue attached to your body like some airsoft wannabe operator either. Dont buy anything extra or bring anything overseas (ive known guys who got arrested by customs for having shit as innocuous as an empty magpouch in their luggage) unless they (your employer) specifically puts it on the packing list. You can always have shit mailed to you if you want/need it later.
Also remember: shut the fuck up and listen at first. Dont be that new guy who talks too much. Nobody likes him. If people want to hear your opinion theyll ask. Try to be tactful until you know your coworkers better. Ive known guys who couldnt get rehired because they ran their mouth to the wrong person. Contrary to hollywood coolguy pmc shit, not everyone there is a misanthropic, cold blooded mercenary edgy killer. Alot of people youll meet and work along are fucking normie as fuck. Not every contractor is a shooter, alot are desk jockeys or fucking janitors just making extra money doing logistical shit for some multinational company for a US contract overseas. Say some shit about Rhodesians wasting niggers and the fat black hoe from Georgia working at the DFAC overhears it, and you can kiss your job goodbye.
Overall, dont be fucking stupid, treat it like a serious professional job until you figure it out for yourself, and good luck.
Source: Am a PMC
Jordan Cox
May I be so inclined as to ask which company ran the course? I have 0 intention of doing such a job and I would turn one down since I have civvie life to attend to, but I am a training junkie and I’m always on the lookout for new academies and places to learn. I should compile a list with reviews for each at some point in case anyone else wants the comparisons.
Liam Young
Because controlling Bagdhad is not the same as controlling the whole cuntry.
