Jobs in Iraq?

[MEDIK418]

$100K/year is a far cry from $17/hour.

Havin your head sawed off with a dull knife in front of your parents is a far cry from $100/K a year too.

[Mach 1]

How much do these drilling companys pay stateside?

[MEDIK418]

My youngest son works one in West Texas. Derrick hand pay is 18.50 daylight pay. Nights get you another dollar an hour. 12 hour shifts, 7 days on and seven off. A two week pay period works out like this. 39 hours straight pay, 41 hours at time and a half. 17 day drill time and if you come in on time it's a $40/day bonus for the 17 days. This is on one of the lower paying areas they have, It goes up the colder the climate or of you go offhore due to the length of time you're out there. Starting out at 40+ a year is pretty much par for the Texas/Oklahoma area.
The nice part is that for a while the oil and gas drilling boo is going to last a while. Most of the rigs are working over old gas wells trying to glean more production or drilling for new wells.
Keep in mind to that some of the companies are drilling 90 day holes 25-30,000 feet deep.and often there arean't any days offbetween rig moves.
Not too good for a married person but if you're single and don't mind living in bunkhouses, it might not be a bad thing.
The down side, at least in our house, is trying to convince a 20 year old he needs to go to college instead of the oilfield.

[Mach 1]

Interesting. With the time and a half, thats some decent money. Hey, if he enjoys it, maybe college isnt his bag of tea. Although I suppose it is a high risk of being layed off eventually.

[Molly]

Ok, there's something here that really burns me. Yes, I'm making good money over here (probably better than I could in the states), but you're forgetting something to. Without people like me our troops wouldn't have any support. I run all the communications equipment (internet, phones, faxes, secure lines..etc) that go in and out of this base. We need people that are willing to step up to the plate to support our troops. So before you start bagging on me for being over here and risking my life, think if I wasn't here, or if people like me wouldn't come over here because of the risk. I have a sense of pride that I can connect a solider with his family and make life a little bit easier for him and his family. Without contractors I promise you 99% of our missions would fail. Yes, there is a risk of being captured and being killed but it's better than sitting at home and leaving our troops to fend for themselves. At least I have a sense of pride for what I do where other people condem me for it and say how stupid I am. Contractors are highly underappreciated. We get treated like dirt from the military and random people that think because a few people were stupid enought to venture out on their own and get caught that everyone over here are idiots. I was in the showers last night and I turned around to a chick saying "Oh, you're one of THOSE civilians aren't you?". It was really hard to miss the scorn. Military hates us because of the money we make, but you know what...we leave our families, we put our butts on the line, we eat the same disgusting food, we sleep in the same tents and huts, and we make sure they have a direct line to home. Yeah, the military doesn't make nearly as much as I do, but I do this of my own will to come to a war torn country. Where as military does a 90 day or so tour, where as military get special R&R spots and vacation spots...we don't. They made thier choice to join or do what I do. Most of them come back as contractors. We work behind the scenes and most of the time the military doesn't even know who we are or how they have internet access or direct lines to home. I think you can have a little more respect for contractors Medik and not be so scornful because of the money we make.

//rant off

[USMC302]

Wow, Molly, Molly Molly. I also provide communications for the Marine Corps, I just got back from over there last August. I agree with you on many things you said but would like to clarify a few points if I may.

Without people like me our troops wouldn't have any support. I run all the communications equipment (internet, phones, faxes, secure lines..etc) that go in and out of this base.

You know as well as I do this job is not a one person task, the military has there own highly trained troops to provide communications and to work hand in hand with the civilian contractors. We actually went in and took over for the Army on one site and expanded the communications to over 2k users in 6 months, I'm not trying to get in a pissing contest over who does more, just wanting to make the point that the military is perfectly cabaple of supporting itself without civilian aid in a tactical environment.

Without contractors I promise you 99% of our missions would fail

Are we talking the Army or the Marines? The military spends thousands of dollars training these troops for technical jobs in specialized fields, constant training is performed to ensure mission success. We did turn over to contractors when we left but we had NO FAILED missions with our Marines while our Marines provided communication. Moral was kept high as well as we had Marines able to communicate with the states on a regular basis.

At least I have a sense of pride for what I do where other people condem me for it and say how stupid I am.

I agree with you and feel the same way. You are appreciated.

. I was in the showers last night and I turned around to a chick saying "Oh, you're one of THOSE civilians aren't you?". It was really hard to miss the scorn. Military hates us

There are going to be those that are envious of you and what your doing, but please don't judge the Military as a whole from what you hear in the showers or from one base, unit or country. We don't hate you

. Where as military does a 90 day or so tour, where as military get special R&R spots and vacation spots...we don't.

Again I am unsure of what part of the military your are referring to but I assure you, The Marine Corps is no cake walk, if we are lucky enough to have the USO or MWR sponsor a vacation or R&R spot, we have always welcomed contractors along for the trip.

We get treated like dirt from the military

I am truely sorry for this, I know I can't aplogize for the entire Military, but Marines are proffesional and tactful, if you experiance something different you should report it to the Chain of Command and ensure it doesn't happen again.

CupCake , Great attitude to have!

Now that I wrote a novel, that's enough for now.

[MEDIK418]

Molly. . .first off, nobody is bagging on anyone. Get off your high horse for a minute and read what's been said. Steve Berg was doing about the same thing you are doing. I haven't bagged on him and to my knowledge I haven't bagged on you. I simply stated that to me. . the risk isn't worth the money. To me, greed is pretty much a potent driver for folks who go to places like Iraq to work for the contractors. Face it, if you weren't as greedy as you are, and you truly had a penchant for doing your duty to our military, you'd be in the military doing your thing for your country. To me there's absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing or where you're doing it but face it, if it paid Allsups wages, you'd be somewhere else no matter how many communications challenged Marines are in Iraq.
Another thing, nobody said you're stupid! Thank you for doing what you do but do you really feel the need to stand on a soap box and demand we pay homage to you for your tireless contribution to our military?
Get off the tirade and be thankful your head is still attached. My hat is off to those who have what it takes to go to a place as inhospitable as Iraq is and do what they do for whatever they are paid. To date, I've never seen anyone rant for our thanks like you just did. (except maybe John Kerry) I was taught to let others praise you without asking for it. If it happens, you probably deserve it, if you gotta solicit it, you probably don't.
Before you start thinkng I don't have a stake in Iraq and don't have a right to speak, be aware, my son is a U.S. Marine in Iraq and has been there for about 3 months now with NO DAYS OFF! He works a 14 hour day most days and his commute consists of a 45 minute run through sand fine enough to pour through a coffee strainer. His free time is spent doing not much because he only spends about 30 dollars a pay period and I suspect a lot of that goes for socks and handi-wipes. He's still got until March before he comes back and he has NEVER ONCE complained to anyone I know of about the conditions over there or how mizerably he's treated by anyone. And get this . . he does it all for a heck of a lot less than you are dragging down.
I stand by what I said. a hundred grand pales in comparison to the look on a parent's face when they see their loved one carved up like a turkey for all the world to see and laugh at.
To me. . .it's just not worth it. If it's your cup of tea, fine, I'm proud you are getting to do what you like. Did you ever think it might be your almighty attitude that causes that scorn from the military folks ?
I apologize for coming off as strong as I feel I have. I just saw an old freind who told me the young man I mentioned in my previuos post who was in the Bradley that got car-bombed in Baghdad? He is going to be in San Antonio this week to make a decision. Whether or not to amputate his left foot or spend the next year and a half in surgery trying to save it. I guess your post just kinda struck me wrong. still does for that matter.

[Molly]

Medik - In one breath you say you aren't bagging on me. In the next you say this

Face it, if you weren't as greedy as you are, and you truly had a penchant for doing your duty to our military, you'd be in the military doing your thing for your country.

Well darling, if being over here making money makes me greedy I guess we all are. Every one of us is trying to make more and more money to support our family, our hobbies, our lives. I was raised in a very rural Kansas town where military recruiters didn't come. I never knew it was an option. Nobody ever talked to us. We all just went back to the farms or off to college. I can't join in any case due to medical reasons. They wouldn't let me when I finally got in contact with a recruiter. Same goes for my husband who was rejected due to his asthmatic condition. My Father-In-Law is a CSM in the Air Force. My father was rejected from service due to knee problems. Both my grandfathers served in WWII in the Navy.

USMC - I'm in Afghanistan, not Iraq. I don't know if you were talking about Afghan or Iraq. We don't have many Marines around here. I work with mostly Army folks and contracters like myself run all comms here on base. My husband has been here since the VERY beginning of the war and has built the whole network from the ground up. He's now head of setting up the FOB sites for comms.

I try not to judge everyone from a few people, but so far most of the army guys really look down at us and are pretty mean. I got yelled at for wearing an Army PT T-shirt. I didn't know it was a PT shirt and I had run out of a shirts and just got here so I grabbed one at the PX. It was pretty obvious I was a civlian however from my dress and my badges. I haven't had 1 good experience with Marines, but I try to keep my mind open. I was attacked and raped by a Marine when I was at home and he had gotten out about a year before. All he kept saying was "I'm a Marine, I can do whatever I want". It scarred my perception of the military, but I try to shove it to the back of my mind and remain open b/c I know not ALL Marines are like that.


I didn't mean to cause a huge commotion, but I was really riled by Medik trying to divert people from helping. We need people over here and every person is a blessing.

Peace,

Molly

[Mach 1]

Molly, dont take it personally when military seem to have an attitude against you. They are mostly young , inmmature kids and see you not having to put up with the crap they do, and it causes some resentment. No biggie. We all play an important part in this mess. And it takes a certain attitrude to remain in the military, one where you start to dislike civilians, you consider them "sloppy", "lazy"....I know its not true, but it happens to GI's. take it with a grain of salt.

[1989GT]

The only people I know of that are doing 90 day rotations are spec ops. I have a buddy who just left for iraq on a 90 day tour but he's with the 160 SOAR. As for the rest of the regular army we all do 1 year+. I did 1 year in korea followed by 1 year in Iraq and I'm heading back for another year in January. And as far as mission's failed without civilians...in late march early april of '03 I was sitting in the middle of a sand storm, somewhere in Iraq, without a civilian in sight...with no mission's failed.
-Ryan

[CupCake]

I am with you Medik418. I think that the people that should be honored is the people in our armed forces, My brother in law was in Afghanistan and they are the ones that do the JOB. I am not saying that the people that go there are not honorable, but you don't need to be bragging of what you do, and in my opinion I would rather stay here working than going somewhere because of the money. Greed is a terrible thing and unfortunally bad things happen when you let yourself get carried away. So, let's salute our troops and let's be thankful for what they do, for the rest of the people, let's pray for them and hope they don't suffer or make their families suffer for wanting more money.

[MEDIK418]

Molly, first. . .I'm not your darling. Second, I can't help it if you feel dejected or riled or whatever it is you are because I stated my feelings on the matter. Was I really trying to divert anyone from going to Iraq? Not really, just trying to point out that there are other ways to make money without trying to get youself on the front page of every paper in the world. . . .ok parts of you on the front page. Anyone who can't accept the realization that there's a certain percentage of odds that you will meet a violent death over there is in at least partial denial. That or they don't read the news much.
I stand by the statement that if it weren't for your greed, you would not be where you are, PERIOD!
This is not bagging on you. Every human on the planet has a certain level of greed. If it weren't for that greed, we'd all be content to live in a socialist commune somewhere giving all of what we glean from this earth to the commune. Greed is a fact of human nature. It's the level of greed that drives people to do the things they do. In your case greed is stronger than self preservation. You weighed the odds and chose what you did. I will never believe that you are in Afghanistan because of some misguided sense of devotion to the American way of life. Money! That's it.
I fight oil fires. Is it something I do to save lives and make life safer for everyone? Not really, I do it because I like it. It's fun in a macabre sort of way. Would I go to Iraq to do it? NO. . . Fires don't have a brain. They are predictable and I'm comfrortable with them. They do what I want them to do and I win most of the time. The kind of animals with the dull knives in Iraq and other parts of the Arab world are said to have brains. They seem to have them in sidways but like horses, they do have brains. Also like horses, their brains don't always run in the same currents that human brains do. Fires would be one thing. Fighting fires AND those other freaks aren't worth my time.
I am so very proud of my son's decision to join the military. I am ex-Army and don't regret a bit of my time in service. Did I try to talk my son out of it? You bet I did. I tried every excuse from "don't you think your knees aren't up to it?" "Do you realize how big a target you make?" "did you know there's always the Coast Guard?" (Please no letters from the coast guard, I was grasping at straws back then)
Doug, the kid who is arriving in San Antonio this week, I remember standing in front of the local Subway asking him what he was gonna do if they sent him to Iraq. He made his meanest face and said "I'm ready" You know what, I'll bet money that he felt that very same way until about 3 seconds after his life changed forever.
Don't try to tell me I'm wrong for not wanting these young (or old) kids here or anywhere else for that matter to go in harm's way. You have no idea what you are asking.
molly, keep doing what you are doing. Do it well and be proud of what you accomplish. Just don't think poorly of us who don't like to see people die for no real reason.
Money? That's not what matters. It gets you things and things go away.
That old saying "live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse"?
It's way over rated. You just look worse when you don't die young.

[Molly]

Ok, let's end this here. We will always have different opinions. I don't deny that some people will die and have really horrible deaths. Last night as a mortar landed not 200 yards from my hut and chunks of metal went flying into huts a lot of things dawned on me. Mostly, that just because I'm in the middle of a big base I'm not always safe. Fighting with people over the internet and trying to defend myself and others I work with is pointless. You all believe what you want to believe. All of a sudden it doesn't matter if the military guys don't like me, because they are right next to me in those bunkers.

The military may harbor resentment for us and the fact we're here making more money than them, but who really cares when we all do the same job and get it done. The #1 reason I came over here was to be with my husband who has been a contractor here for a little over 3 years. I wanted to be with my husband. I went through training and more training and I would have done it for free just to be with him. The money honestly isn't as important to me as being with my husband and doing something together that will make a difference. And when those military people that are harboring resentment for me come to me with a problem, I'm still smiling and still doing everything I can to help them because I know they are just as homesick as I am, but at least I have my husband to help me through it. They don't.

[MEDIK418]

Atta Girl.

Point taken.

I will continue to pray for all of you folks just as I have for many months now. Not knowing any of them doesn't lessen my concern for their safety. You and the people you serve are doing a noble thing and I thank you. Changing my mind on the whole Iraq/Afghanistan issue is like teaching a pig to sing. . . .It wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Next topic!

[USMC302]

And as far as mission's failed without civilians...in late march early april of '03 I was sitting in the middle of a sand storm, somewhere in Iraq, without a civilian in sight...with no mission's failed.

OORAH!

[bigwhitecobra]

OORAH!

Calm down there Devil Dog! By the way, it's Hoorah. Trust an older Jar Head. Hey, are you a shell back yet?


Seriously, someone get a job over there. I need to get back on my feet money wise. this is a good way to do it, and if I die, it's not that big of a loss. Yeah my family would cry and miss me every now and then, but in the grand scheme of things, no one will really care. Come on get me out there. Hell hire me to find Bin Laden. Or any other sorry MF that needs killing, er I mean capturing.

Later guys.