Posted: 8/12/2007 9:23:48 AM EDT
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Howdy all. Have received a lot of inquiries regarding security contractor employment. Figured I'd put a few things down on the subject to kind of pass along some info: First off there is actually a glut of people looking to fill these positions. A few years back folks could step in with some experience and get hired. Those days are pretty much gone. So you have to have some things that set you apart. * Special Operations background * Multiple overseas combat tours with extensive experience working with locals * Be retired mil, or have a good amount of time on the "ground" in a combat role * Be in good or exceptional physical fitness condition * Medically qualified...EMT, EMT I, or Paramedic * Sniper qualified * Familiar with soviet bloc weapons * Finished a quality PSD course (Blackwater, Olive, etc, etc.) * Have a training background * Been thru a few driving schools (Bondurant, Olive, Tactical, etc.) There are of course exceptions, but those exceptions aren't around like they used to be. Just because you've been to Iraq or Afghanistan, doesn't automatically qualify you. It's all about connections, who you know, and who you've met. Some other positions are the police and military trainer jobs. Now a lot of these are filled by police trainers, or MP's. Generally the pay is less, and the quality of personnel is not of the same caliber as a security or PSD team. An example would be Dynacorps military/police training program. So how do you break in...set yourself up for success. Take a High Risk/High Threat Environment PSD course. If you are in the military/national guard, volunteer for the ETT program, or military training program. These tours are in Afghanistan, and Iraq. Yeah, they suck, but it's experience, and a chance to make contacts. The good and the bad. Pay is great (depending on your job). BUT you also have to realize that your life back home generally goes to shit, you may end up working for a low end company without armored vehicles, and carrying cheap AK 47's, and you'll probably have to scrounge for a good pistol. Some companies have paid leave, some don't. People around you will die, you may die. Chances are you'll end up divorced. Most PSC guys work 1-3 years. If you can accept your life overseas, then you can last longer and find more jobs. Sorry to burst anyones bubble...but if you are an E4 or below, and have only one combat tour...sorry, you'll have a tough time finding work. What's on the horizon...Sudan. Pay will be lower, and living conditions not so great, but heck, it's a foot in the door. I'll be happy to answer more questions. Please don't contact me for job openings, honestly I don't know anyone that is hiring right now. Also, I don't recommend people I don't know, and have not worked with. Follow the money trail...USAID projects, and DOD/State Dept contracts. There isn't much else. Apply with the companies that have the most work, like Blackwater. So there ya have it. |
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I got a call back from Blackwater but the contract they were looking to fill required SF background, which I don't have. Drinking Scotch and Coke in the SF compound down range didn't make me qualified. The Blackwater recriuter got my resume from militaryhire.com in case anyone is interested. |