Howdy, guys.

I'm currently a security contractor over in Saudi Arabia, where I have worked for the last 9 years while my family is in the Philippines. I, and all the guys I work with, received a 60 days notice of termination letter on Sunday.  Thank you, Mr. President.  Currently, I am unable to go back home to the Philippines due to foreigners without specific visas not being allowed back into the country.  Being away from the family sucks, but that's security contracting for you.  So, it's time to look for work.  Stateside work isn't as lucrative as most OCONUS jobs, but the situation is what it is.  It really won't be much different for the family, as I am only home 3 weeks a year for my current job as is.

My mentor and former boss at 4 different jobs in 3 different countries and 2 continents has suggested I come to Jacksonville. He's a retired Navy Senior Chief, and moved there from Guam this past year.  He says the cost of living is fairly low compared to where we used to live in St. Louis, and there are good opportunities for decent work, rather than just entry-level security jobs.  SWMBO's sister and family also live in JAX, so she approves a move there.

What I am currently looking for in the way of assistance is to know where the decent lower-rent areas are, reputable car dealers that can get me a better deal than CarMax so I can get some reliable transportation, and perhaps someone here may have an opportunity or know of an opportunity for gainful employment.  I will also need recommendations for a reputable place to train and get my Class "D","G", and "MB" security licenses.  I have a TWIC card, so would be interested in working the port or similar area.  I do not currently have a security clearance, which appears to be the fly in the ointment these days in getting further OCONUS contracting jobs, but have had a CAC and have been contracted to the DoD for most of the last 16 years that I have been overseas.  I have also worked at the National Operations Manager level for an international security firm in Cambodia and Thailand.  I can speak, read, and write a bit of Spanish, along with a few other languages, if that helps.

You already have @Miami_JBT as your friendly neighborhood GD Moderator, but now you have the opportunity to perhaps have 2 of us.

If anyone has any advice or wants to see my resume or LinkedIn profile, hit me up via email or IM.  I am not posting it here as we do have folks infiltrating the Team boards.

Thank you all in advance.

I don't know much about the Jax area - but best of luck to you.

Thanks.  I've survived quite a few cuts here, but with the President's directive a couple of weeks ago, I might as well beat them to the punch. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and have alternate plans.

Maybe you could get a gig with Trump's private security team.

Thank you. I am not locked down to any particular place, just going with the best of a bad situation.  Just trying to get a plan in place in case I don't have anything by the end of the 60 days, as I can't go home.

Thanks, all.

Thank you.  

I wouldn't mind Polk County.  To quote Sheriff Grady Judd when asked why they shot the cop-killer so many times, "That was all the ammo we had."

I can dig it.

Well, as I am not allowed in the Philippines due to current COVID visa restrictions, and I can't stay here, my options are otherwise open.  I don't have to go to JAX, but I have a built-in support system there.  I have applied for jobs in several states.  I -probably- won't have to start from scratch, but I don't see any way I can make half of what I was making in the States, even before taxes.

I am also looking at Texas.  My old boss from Afghanistan works at SpaceX and has endorsed my CV up his chain, but open security slots are VERY competitive, as in hundreds of candidates for a single position.  Another party, an ARFCOMmer I have never actually met, is also trying to assist me with a gig based out of DFW.  We'll see what happens.

I have a good network, but jobs are few and far between these days, as we all know.

Time will tell, but I need to get on the stick if I am to have housing lined up upon arrival.  

Thanks for the support.