Working in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Pawel505 · Oct 20, 2018

Hi guys, hope we all doing well.

Does any of you ever worked in countries mentioned in title? Tbh... I do think about it quite properly since last couple of months. Know for a fact you can earn right money there, working through global companies.

Anybody been there? anybody know somebody who's been? just looking for a bit more info than online job offer provides.

Have a good weekend!

n180 · Oct 20, 2018

Realistically, if your not in the army, why would you want to work there? There is too much risk for life and property in war torn countries.

Sintra · Oct 20, 2018

I’ve been in both a few times and I wouldn’t recommend either if you have a choice in the matter. Unfortunately I didn’t.

H · Oct 20, 2018

Different set of tools needed for such places.

Gavin John Hyde · Oct 20, 2018

Being ex forces I have a slightly different viewpoint of working in these places. back when the military where there in large numbers it was quite lucrative doing the circuit as it was known, I knew a few people who went out as security workers aka mercenaries paid couple hundred per day tax free. sure there are risks but one guy was earning £350 per day with minimal expenses, went out for 6 months, no wife or kids and came back flush, did a second stint until he had enough to set up his own property business, He was an ex marine and no walter mitty turnout. those days are long gone, now its more mundane and also far more dangerous as there is little back up if it hits the fan.
If you do, then take your own orange jump suit, that way you will know it will fit properly in your cnn tv appearance.

H · Oct 20, 2018

Gavin John Hyde said:
Being ex forces I have a slightly different viewpoint of working in these places. back when the military where there in large numbers it was quite lucrative doing the circuit as it was known, I knew a few people who went out as security workers aka mercenaries paid couple hundred per day tax free. sure there are risks but one guy was earning £350 per day with minimal expenses, went out for 6 months, no wife or kids and came back flush, did a second stint until he had enough to set up his own property business, He was an ex marine and no walter mitty turnout. those days are long gone, now its more mundane and also far more dangerous as there is little back up if it hits the fan.
If you do, then take your own orange jump suit, that way you will know it will fit properly in your cnn tv appearance.

Agree, ten plus years ago it was worth it, as now the market is oversaturated just the electrical trade by the sounds of it, the price is somewhat lower. Those blokes ‘working the circuit’, do get right in it at times.

Strima · Oct 21, 2018

I got offered some work in Mogadishu a couple of years ago. The recruiter was quite offended with my response.

Diddy · Oct 21, 2018

A few years back there was a guy who used to post on here from Afghanistan. I remember seriously considering it at the time - Quickly reassessed the situation when the Fluor operatives were blown up by a rpgor some other grisley end. There was a couple of sparks on there. Quickly realised that being blown to bits nor starring as a orange suited extra on youtube were not for me. Each to their own like. I do remember the guy who used to post though, He was well into it and seemed to enjoy it.....Takes all kinds to make the wold eh lol.

Pete999 · Oct 21, 2018

Pawel505 said:
Hi guys, hope we all doing well.

Does any of you ever worked in countries mentioned in title? Tbh... I do think about it quite properly since last couple of months. Know for a fact you can earn right money there, working through global companies.

Anybody been there? anybody know somebody who's been? just looking for a bit more info than online job offer provides.

Have a good weekend!

Been to both places mentioned, but I was working for MOD wouldn't want to go to either of those places again.

Powellm · Oct 21, 2018

Done Afghan. Most work is in Kabul now and gated work so it's pretty safe but the money isn't there anymore. The real money is in gaza. Pulling fibre cable it was 15k a week last time I checked.... but your life expectancy is only 3 weeks so swings and roundabouts....

snowhead · Oct 21, 2018

I worked with an Air con guy who'd worked in Afgan 10 years ago. Yes it was lucrative apparently.
Then he wasted all the money away.

He's just gone to Barbados recently to work on A/C in hotels.
Been there 2 months and not been paid..
It's going to be long hike home.

GMES · Oct 21, 2018

Powellm said:
Done Afghan. Most work is in Kabul now and gated work so it's pretty safe but the money isn't there anymore. The real money is in gaza. Pulling fibre cable it was 15k a week last time I checked.... but your life expectancy is only 3 weeks so swings and roundabouts....

That's it then, 2.5 weeks 37,500.00 and do one, see you soon lads, well 2.5 weeks to be exact.

rapparee · Oct 21, 2018

Powellm said:
Done Afghan. Most work is in Kabul now and gated work so it's pretty safe but the money isn't there anymore. The real money is in gaza. Pulling fibre cable it was 15k a week last time I checked.... but your life expectancy is only 3 weeks so swings and roundabouts....

How does one go about getting this job

Powellm · Oct 21, 2018

rapparee said:
How does one go about getting this job

Look into deep vet or high security jobs.

Pawel505 · Oct 22, 2018

Cheers for your replies guys

Have you heard about company called KBR? Looks like they have most of that type of jobs on the market.

Bobster · Oct 22, 2018

Worked in both a couple of years ago. Yes, the money was good, no I wouldn't go back.

There's money to be made in places your life isn't at risk every day.

Pawel505 · Oct 22, 2018

How does the work looks like? 7 days a week? And what about time off for going back home?

Cheers

Powellm · Oct 22, 2018

It depends on your contract some require a full 12 months. Others are 3 on 1 off in months. Spoke to some friend out in Saudi all on minimum 1800 a week tax free with no accommodation charges they all do 3 on 1 off it I know Iraq is 6 months on then 6 off

Deuce · Oct 22, 2018

I think it hugely depends on where exactly you're working - both geographically and for which organisation. I did some work in Jordan, just a few weeks - for sure Jordan is NOT the trouble spot Iraq and Afghanistan are... But I also know that large parts of Iraq are pretty much unaffected by war and violence, at least not directly affected. What you see on the news is all true.. but bare in mind they only put the cameras in the areas they expect to find trouble. Anyone avoiding the hot spots wouldn't hear or see any of it. It's not as if a roadside bomber is going to drive 100 miles away from a conflict zone and his enemies, and plant a device in some random place where nothing is going on.

Not sure i'd feel the same about any part of Afghanistan though, the whole place is a lawless mess, irrespective of whether you're in a conflict zone or not.