Job Offer, what to do?

**doug1980** · 01-07-2009, 01:13 PM

I got a call from a Guard buddy that has been in Kuwait for 2 years now. He is a Contractor and offered me a job doing security. It pays 6 digits but it is a year long contract. Meals, housing and transportation is paid by the company, I would get a 30 day vacation mid-tour and 10 paid holidays along with free dental and health insurance. Did I mention it's all tax free. The job is working gate guard at one of 5 different U.S Bases in Kuwait. I've been to Kuwait twice already but in a Military capacity, this definately pays better. I could leave as early as late Feb. What to do?

**nell67** · 01-07-2009, 01:17 PM

Dang,that sounds alot like what Beo is doing,takes some soul searching I guess to make that decision.

**doug1980** · 01-07-2009, 01:23 PM

If I was single I would leave right now, but being a newly-wed I'm not too sure. My wife said she would support any decision I make, but we met while deployed and were apart for 6 months. We fought all the time, of course we weren't married then but a year is a long time.

**Pal334** · 01-07-2009, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by doug1980

I got a call from a Guard buddy that has been in Kuwait for 2 years now. He is a Contractor and offered me a job doing security. It pays 6 digits but it is a year long contract. Meals, housing and transportation is paid by the company, I would get a 30 day vacation mid-tour and 10 paid holidays along with free dental and health insurance. Did I mention it's all tax free. The job is working gate guard at one of 5 different U.S Bases in Kuwait. I've been to Kuwait twice already but in a Military capacity, this definately pays better. I could leave as early as late Feb. What to do?

I have some experience with letting this type of contract. READ THE FINE PRINT, (who knows may have actually written this statement of work

) You should get the answers to the following questions Example: In case of injury who is responsible for medical evacuation? Who provides initial emergency care? What are the costs to you? If you receive a disabling injury how are you covered? These are the biggies and you need to see the answers in writting. And unlike the contract Beo is on, those in contracts in Kuwait , Dubai, etc do not usually cover these issues very well. Far be it from me to tell a man what to do with his life, but since you asked I offer the foregoing for your consideration.

Get a copy of the Status of Forces Agreemnet (SOFA) how is your duty status specifically addressed? Would you really like to be subject to Islamic law?

**doug1980** · 01-07-2009, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Pal334

I have some experience with letting this type of contract. READ THE FINE PRINT, (who knows may have actually written this statement of work

) You should get the answers to the following questions Example: In case of injury who is responsible for medical evacuation? Who provides initial emergency care? What are the costs to you? If you receive a disabling injury how are you covered? These are the biggies and you need to see the answers in writting. And unlike the contract Beo is on, those in contracts in Kuwait , Dubai, etc do not usually cover these issues very well. Far be it from me to tell a man what to do with his life, but since you asked I offer the foregoing for your consideration.

Good advice. Being a fairly young guy a seldom think of those things. Kinda got the I won't get hurt mentality. Not too keen on thinking about the long run either. I'm getting better at that. It's just a big decission and I would hate to make the wrong one. Sounds almost too good to be true. Guess I need to step back and not look at the dollar signs, focus more on the whole picture.

**rockymtnchief** · 01-07-2009, 01:48 PM

Good advice from Pal334.

I was offered a job in Iraq splicing all new cable being put in. The money was incredible! I had to weigh it against seeing my girls, long term career (would I have a job when I got back), and health coverage. I ended up staying since co-op jobs are tough to come by in the area I wanted to live.

**Pal334** · 01-07-2009, 02:03 PM

Remember you are dealing with corporations!!!! And they could give a crap (excuse the french

) about "you" . I oversee several projects over there and am constantly fighting the bean counters. For example they think it is ok for us to re use body armor that someone else used for a year! And they re work the individual contracts to see just how low they can go (which means that your contract may or may not be the same as the other guys) . These are the "perfumed princes" (or as I call them princess's) that never have gotten their hands dirty. Think long and hard

**crashdive123** · 01-07-2009, 05:02 PM

Doug - Good advice so far. Here's my .02....If the job paid what you are making now, or slightly more, would you go? If it's truely a job that you want to do, as Pal said, make sure you know exactly what you are getting into --- in writing. Making a few extra bucks is nice, but it is not everything.

**doug1980** · 01-07-2009, 05:08 PM

Yeah the more I think about it the less appealing it becomes. I'm happy where I am now, oh sure it's not what I want to do forever but it pays the bills, it's not overly stressfull and I get to be home every night. The money would allow me to pay off my house, the two jeeps and credit cards, but then what. It's only for a year, so I would still have to come back and find another job. I'm gonna pass on this and be thankfull for what I have. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

**Pal334** · 01-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Sigh of relief

Sounds like a cool thing to do, but I am sure you will not regret not going for it. Good things come to those who wait

**Ole WV Coot** · 01-07-2009, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

Good advice from Pal334.

I was offered a job in Iraq splicing all new cable being put in. The money was incredible! I had to weigh it against seeing my girls, long term career (would I have a job when I got back), and health coverage. I ended up staying since co-op jobs are tough to come by in the area I wanted to live.

I passed up several S.E. Asia, Greenland and the sandbox before I retired. I would have gone if the wife wasn't against it but glad I stayed home. That is probably fiber and a splicing van makes a good target.

**RBB** · 01-08-2009, 03:35 AM

My brother worked in Kosovo as a police officer a few years ago (right after the fighting). It was very primitive. Had as many "dead body" calls as a US officer has "barking dog" complaints. It ended up being a good thing for him. Came home and paid off his house.