Originally Posted By carpesignum:
I have an interview coming up for a job that will either be in Iraq or Afghanistan. I want the experience of being in another country\culture as well as the chance to shift fields a bit.
As civil service (try position) would I be tax exempt for being overseas\in a combat zone?
What is security like in each country? Which is more prone to attacks (IED, rocket\morter, kidnap)? I heard guys talking about chemical weapons used in Afghanistan years ago, is this an issue? Difference in response times?
What is the quality of life like? Ac, showers, food?
What can you do in your down time? Allowed\ safe to go off base? Is hobby photography allowed (with restrictions for opsec)?
Personal firearms allowed?
Do you work\ interact with locals? Local labor? Culture\ language training?
I am basically expecting a cot in a connex box that is hot\cold depending on the weather with cafeteria food and a set of weights to entertain myself. So anything above that is gold...
Right now not knowing any difference other than mountain vs desert I would pick Afghanistan though for the field I will be in, both would be good experience. I know there will be stresses and hardships but its something I'm really wanting to do. Any advice?
View Quote
The below is for Afghanistan. I was active military in Iraq, DoD civvie in AFG
-Only contractors are tax exempt for a portion of their salary. DoD basic pay and OT is taxed. Haz duty and PD is not.
-Security is not as good as it was when we had American QRF. If you get hit somewhere, most likely Afghans will come save you. But commands are too risk averse now, not many people have their own trucks like we did during my first deployment.
-Quality of life is what you make it. I was on camp Eggers, and ISAF/RS. I had a hot shower almost every night, when I wasn't living with the Afghans. Food was good. Questionable now that US doesn't have the contract. However, DFAC has plenty of food, all the time. It does end up being like Groundhog Day sometimes.
-you cannot go off base on your free time in AFG. Still too dangerous.
-Absolutely no personal firearms
-I went to Dari school on Uncle Sams dime, but they will have informal Dari or Pashto classes in country when you get there. If you get a terp/IT, he will be a big help. Learn the basics now. A salaam allekum, tashakur, etc.
-if you end up on RS, you will either be in a CHU, or if you are lucky, you'll get a room in one of the few brick and mortar places they are building.
Feel free to message me. I was both MoDA and AFPAK Hands. Just came back a little while ago.