If you like your head where it's positioned right now, don't even think about it. Probably half or more of the Iraqi cops and military are insurgents. You see how many bodyguards get wiped out along with their employers?

Tell me more please.
Preferably from someone who has been there, I have talked to a few guys that sadi they bought "toys" while with KBR. Any validity here?

Quoted: Quoted: They are offering 84K tax free for a year contract.You cannot carry a weapon,but you do not leave the base unless you are with the troops,and are never by yourself. I wouldn't go just because of that. Aint enought money for going unarmed. Mark.

Yep, fuck that!!!

Picture for all you that say a civilian can't carry a weapon. You are WRONG.


ready for my commute.... Republican palace in the green zone



my body quard..... Burger King at Baghdad airport



Checking in with the boss


More bosses than you every need



Maybe you can find one of these

I even applied with ATF to bring them back. approval took too long and the approval came three weeks after I left, dang.

My brother worked as a plumber in bagram afghanistan, same money I believe and I would think its safer there than iraq. If you want to know more email me and i can try to put you in touch with him

[email protected]

Quoted: Life insurance and Lvl III body armor with chicken plate for while you are in transit. IEDs are the leading cause of death in Iraq for westerners right now, and you would have to travel to your job I assume. IEDs are an equal opportunity killer, don't leave you quarters without your armor or you are playing russian roulette.

I'd bet the amount of that life insurance taken in that policy that it is void if the insured goes to Iraq.    

Yup, lots of profound ignorance in this thread.

You will note that every one of us who has been there is saying go for it.

The people whose only experience with the country is the TV are talking pure stupidity.

I know a lot of soldiers who have tried to get KBR jobs - it is a great gig.  My old Master Sergeant is thinking seriously about signing up with them after retirement.

Even KBR subcontractors laugh at how people are afraid to go over there - and they get the short end of the stick compared to the actual American KBR guys (TCN KBR guys get the shortest end).

As a plumber, you will likely fly to a FOB, live on the FOB, and fly off the FOB to go home.  IEDs shouldn't be much of an issue.  Heck, we even fly most Soldiers in and out any more.

The biggest grip I ever heard from KBR guys was that they had to pay out of pocket to fly home during their leave periods.  KBR will only pay to get you there and then send you home at the end of your contracted period.  Uncle Sam will fly you for free within the theater.

The only incident I have ever heard of someone facing a weapon in a secure area from a crooked Iraqi soldier was in an attempt to steal sensitive info about the local Iraqi leadership.  As a KBR plumber, I don't think you will be at risk in that way.

You are safer on most FOBs than in most American cities.  If you are in mortar or rocket range, and shit starts to fall, there are bunkers that pffer far more protection than body armor.

Quoted: Quoted: Life insurance and Lvl III body armor with chicken plate for while you are in transit. IEDs are the leading cause of death in Iraq for westerners right now, and you would have to travel to your job I assume. IEDs are an equal opportunity killer, don't leave you quarters without your armor or you are playing russian roulette. I'd bet the amount of that life insurance taken in that policy that it is void if the insured goes to Iraq.

You buy insurance for going to Iraq. Loyds(sp) of London. $1m for the wifr and kids to enjoy.

Sounds like you've already decided to go.  Good luck.  

List of civilian contractors killed in Iraq, 312 listed.

here Including occupation and cause of death and employer. quite a few KBR casualties listed.

Quoted: Yup, lots of profound ignorance in this thread. You will note that every one of us who has been there is saying go for it. The people whose only experience with the country is the TV are talking pure stupidity. I know a lot of soldiers who have tried to get KBR jobs - it is a great gig.  My old Master Sergeant is thinking seriously about signing up with them after retirement. Even KBR subcontractors laugh at how people are afraid to go over there - and they get the short end of the stick compared to the actual American KBR guys (TCN KBR guys get the shortest end). As a plumber, you will likely fly to a FOB, live on the FOB, and fly off the FOB to go home.  IEDs shouldn't be much of an issue.  Heck, we even fly most Soldiers in and out any more. The biggest grip I ever heard from KBR guys was that they had to pay out of pocket to fly home during their leave periods.  KBR will only pay to get you there and then send you home at the end of your contracted period.  Uncle Sam will fly you for free within the theater. The only incident I have ever heard of someone facing a weapon in a secure area from a crooked Iraqi soldier was in an attempt to steal sensitive info about the local Iraqi leadership.  As a KBR plumber, I don't think you will be at risk in that way. You are safer on most FOBs than in most American cities.  If you are in mortar or rocket range, and shit starts to fall, there are bunkers that pffer far more protection than body armor.

Exactly.

I know KBR is short over here right now, so Afghanistan is a possibility as well. Bagram is like little America, but way too much BS there for me. Get yourself sent out to a FOB.... the FOB's here are still low key-no bullshit loactions where they have not forgotten that this is a war zone and not a garrison enviornment for the most part.

Holy crap, look at how many post have absolutely no damn idea what in the hell they are talking about!  There were also a few who were right on the money!  In review:

Taxes: 80K taxe free if gone 330 days in 12 month consecuative period.  This does NOT excuse you from medicare and social security!  Depending on how and where your pay comes from, they may not take anything out anyway.

KBR is the lowest pay you can find in Iraq withouth being a TCN.  KBR does not arm their employees.  If you do acquire a weapon and you do not possess a weapon card authorizing it, prepare for trouble and a trip home.  As a plumber you honestly do not need a weapon anyway, you will be safe and secure on a base and will likely never leave except for coming/going home/leave.  You would never need to fire a weapon and any hostile action you encounter would likley be some sporadic mortar and rocket fire, not like a firearm would help then anyway.  KBR will give you body armor and a kevlar that will sit in your wall locker because nobody walks around on base wearing that crap unless you be leaving the base or spending time around the perimeter or ECP.  Most civilians are armed, probably around 90% (not counting KBR).  They are armed because they are authorized weapons not because they just picked one up.  

KBR also does not go to CRC as most contractors and military do.  They instead do about three weeks or so in Houston and do their own training/processing.  Keeping with their cheap methods, you will NOT be paid for your time there!  Also KBR hires these skilled craftsman but don't expect to actually work as a plumber, instead you will be an escort/supervisor for LN's and TCN's (mostly Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis) who will be the actual plumbers and are nearly indentured servants.  These gusy will be employees of PPI whom are subcontractors of KBR.

KBR runs all of the life support services usually on the bases, so you can at least expect better housing then the rest of the contractors and military.  Not always though....

I would suggest checking other more lucrative contracts first.  I think L-3 got into some base life support, I forget some of the others.  KBR is king in that area though.  If you can get or qualify for a clearance then you might actually get a contract that you will be a plumber and work in areas they do not want the TCN/LN;s in.

You will be in no more danger on base in Iraq than driving around the streets in the US.  Don't listen to the crap about being kidnapped and shit.  If something happens to you on base it would be from a fluke mortar round and that is rare for casualties.  But never go into the red zone without armed escort.   You would likely fly into the BIAP from Kuwait.  If you stay on Camp Victory, you will never even leave the green zone, it is right there!  If you went to the IZ then enjoy your ride on the armored bus "The Rhino".  Other camps would require a short ground convoy or helo flight.

Sorry for the long post.......

OK, I've been w/ KBR for a year and a half and I'm still here. I just got off work an hour ago and now I'm sitting in my well appointed, air-conditioned room with my feet resting on my vest listening to Johnny Cash. To clarify some of the misinformation and plain BS I'll run you through the whole process.
First, after you tell the recruiter you'll go, he'll give you a date in Houston and have tickets sent (economy). When you arrive in Houston, be ready to go with all your bags with you. They'll put you up in a local hotel and the briefing center is in the Greenspoint (Gunspoint) mall (it’s in kind of a bad part of town). If you're lucky, you'll stay in the Wyndham hotel across the street. If not, you may be stuck at any number of shit hole hotels they also contract with. Meals are provided 3x a day at a KBR facility in the mall.
You'll be herded through a 5-10 day processing line (ala MEPS) that will include a shit load of pretty much useless briefings, forms and a pretty decent physical. Also, they’ll give you the opportunity to buy life ins and the company signs you up for an international problem solving service. Say you find yourself in a cell in Uzbekistan fro beating the shit out of a guy that was screwing with you, you call these guys and they work with the embassy to get you out; or, say you lose a leg in that same tussle, they arrange medical evac back to the states. Pretty neat service, hopefully you don’t need it. While you’re there you'll also be issued body armor there, either ABA or PACA usually. If you don't already have a passport they'll get you one there, but I HIGHLY recommend having one prior simply to speed the process and avoid possible cluster fucks. Also, they'll tell you not to bring a laptop if you have one. They can hug a friggin’ nut because EVERYONE has one and if you don't bring it, you'll end up having it sent. I'd much rather carry mine than mail it. Also, you need to keep in mind that you don't get paid until you go wheels up from Houston so the shorter the processing the better.
Once you're wheels up, you're on the clock. You'll go to a nice hotel in UAE (there are several, all are nice, but the areas vary. Be prepared to stay there for up to maybe 2 weeks, but more than likely 3-7days. From there you'll go to your base. When you get there, you'll go through more briefings (again pretty much useless, especially for prior .mil) and a few days after arrival you'll start work.
Base conditions vary from bare base FOBs to small metro centers. All have Bunkers and most, if not all, have giant voice systems. Generally you'll keep your PPE (armor) in your room, unless you convoy or there is an elevated threat level for some reason. Being prior CE (I’m assuming you were a plumber when you were in) you should remember the tones, bunker drills and misc other ORI type B.S. so there won't be too many if any surprises there.
You'll be working 12 hour shifts 7/week so be prepared. Just like any other .gov job you normally don't really work 12, you're just there 12.
As was mentioned earlier, to get the first $80k tax exclusion you have to be out of CONUS 330 day a year. That means just what it says, CONUS, so if you feel froggy, you can just have the fam meet you in Cabo or Toronto for one of your R&Rs and you're golden. After your first 330 days it goes on a movable window (they'll explain in Houston) so you can do more than 1 year but less than 2 and still get the tax break. On the subject of R&R, you'll get 3 a year the first two; you are authorized 16 days the 3rd, 21. Of those days you get paid 8 hours/day for the first 10, after that, it becomes unpaid leave. They will pay your trip there ad you demob all the way and you get a $8-900 stipend for all of your R&Rs. So, if your R&R ticket is $1200, they'll reimburse you the $800 and change and you'll cover the remaining $300 or so.
AFA guns are concerned; KBR policy is that if you get caught with a gun you get terminated. Truck drivers and some other folks going off base on the regular sometimes get some leeway on that, but expect to have the firearm oriented part of your life repressed. Even the KBR morale computers have gun-related sites blocked (another reason to bring a laptop and get your own net through AAFES if available).
Phone service is provided by KBR to their switchboard in Houston so calls home routed through there will cost the same as if you actually were in TX. Most of us have cell phones (tri-band) just for convenience, but calls home can run a couple bucks a min. Computers are provided for morale but restricted as mentioned above. Fortunately, (in case you weren’t aware) ARFCOM provides a mirror site jobrelatedstuff.com (thanks GB) and it isn't flagged so at least you can still get on here.
To answer to all the guys that are scared shitless of coming over here, yes, there are attacks, yes KBR has had people die, yes, you may too. But if you’re willing to take the chance, the gains are pretty damn good. Take stock of what you have, what you want and what you’re willing to lose and make the decision.
Personally, I don’t think it’s all that bad after you get use to it, but people can get use to damn near anything after enough time.
Anyway, that's pretty much all I've got off the top of my head, but feel free to ask anything and I'll try to get you the best answer I can.  --ST

Behold my humble commode.....

Quoted: Wife,# kids-19 , 14 , 12 . We have discussed this at great length ,and everyone  is on board ,This may be our only chance to get our own home , and the kids know there are risks involved.

Don't go.  

Think of all the emergencies and tragedies that could happen to your family while you are gone.

This advice is coming from a guy that spends many days away from home, but not more than a week at a time.

If you are in any way close to your family,  It is not worth it.

Money is not everything, and actually, 87,000 isn't much anyway.  You should be able to make close to that as a free lance plumber stateside.

What ever you do my friend do not make your mind up based on a “go” or “don’t go” suggestion from someone on this board even if they have been.  Like I said before it is your call and only you can decide if it is worth it.

As far as what it is like; amongst the B.S. I think you have gotten some good input. SchlaffTablett has given you the inside scoop for the KBR process and you probably are not going to get any better than that.

For the weapons issue, just don’t worry about it.  I know people are screaming WTF right now, but it is a non-issue.  You will be on a FOB or some other secure AO.  I live in the Green Zone or IZ and work in the Red Zone.  Yes on duty I carry the whole nine yards, off duty I don’t carry anything.  There is no need.  There are guards everywhere and if god forbid the Mongolian horde did make it through the wire there will be plenty of weapons around from all the non-shooter types.  You are going over for the money I presume so why screw that up by getting fired?  Company policy is company policy, not to mention the whole Iraqi weapons card issue.  Remember Iraqi is a foreign country with its own laws (f#@$$d up as they are).  Don’t get in trouble.

For the money, do not get duped by the 84k tax free bit.  It is an incentive and it is a tax break but it should not be the selling point.  When you file your taxes you will know what I mean   Personally 84k is not enough.  Everybody has some type of a financial plan.  I have not met mine yet, and I have been doing this for about eighteen months now.  I am not even close to my goal.

I'm in Iraq with KBR as an accountant.  Ignore the idiots who aren't out here.  If you aren't a truck driver your'e really safe.  You aren't going to get kidnapped, etc.  No social security coming out of my direct deposit either, BTW.  I won't repeat what's already been posted though I would note that the KBR network doesn't block ARFCOM, since otherwise you wouldn't be seeing this posting.  There are other companies that are better, but KBR is easy to get into.  If you can get down to the G sites (G6 or G4) you'd be doing great.

I can't see much of a need for a gun here, unless you're with transportation.  Don't get caught with booze.

There's a great need for generator mechanics with KBR.

Thank you to all the REAL posters who could actually read this thread and comprehend what it was about.he
 SchlaffTablet   ---Thank you   for posting and thank you for getting involved over there.Your post was what I was hoping for

Quoted: Don't get caught with booze.

BOOZE?  It's not booze!  It's a hygiene product.  

And no...I wouldn't do it for that amount of money.  At least look around a bit and see if you can't get more money to do the same job.

Quoted: They are offering 84K tax free for a year contract.You cannot carry a weapon,but you do not leave the base unless you are with the troops,and are never by yourself.

No.  I wouldnt go if I couldnt carry at least a sidearm at all times.  My life is worth more than that.

$84,000 tax-free is about $120,000 pre-tax. That's a lot of money.

I would just say read the fine print. I've read about truck drivers who only get paid a small amount throughout the year, and get the remainder in one huge lump after they've met the contract time requirements. This prevents truckers from leaving earlier than their contract expires. They didn't make a lot during their time if they left early.

You bunch of pussies...

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Good luck with  what ever you decide. My question is why go to Iraq for $89,000. Almost every plumber I know which is only 3 personally make about that here in the states. $89,000 tax free. Your 3 kids fatherless because you wanted to not pay taxes? Look at it this way. You may make some big bucks while over there and come back and own your own house and new car in the driveway but...... How is just your wife going to be any better off with no husband and no father for her children?? Put it into perspective. Not worth it IMHO and I don't even have a wife and kids. IED's are a equal opportunity killer.

As a plumber in the middle of the FOB he has about as much chance of being kidnapped and decapitated or blown up by an IED as he does of being disintegrated by antimatter rays from a Zoltan spaceship.  The only thing he has to worry about is some indirect fire...I've been here damn near a year and I've only heard of one KBR employee being killed by a mortar/rocket in the time I've been here.  Probably has the same odds of being killed in a car crash on the way to a plumbing job in the States.

No amount of money would make me go. No way.

If you like where your head is stay in the US, best advice I have for you.

KBR pays by the hour plus "uplift". If they said he'd be making $84 per year that works out to roughly $13 per hour. You see, you take that hourly figure  and multiply by hours worked then multiply by the "uplift" percentage of 55% to get your total pay. Uplift includes a pecentage for hazardous duty, OCONUS, and austere condition pay. KBR does not do bonuses unless you are a supervisory emplyee. Basically it's a caste system like the .mil.
Supervisors are considered "BRS" (Brown and Root Services) emplyees. That means their pay and bennie package is paid by Brown and Root directly from Houston and they area actual employees. All of the US emplyees under supervisory level are "SEII" (Service Employee International Inc.). SEII is a sub contractor for KBR out of Dubai so technically you're not a KBR employee and you work for a seperate, OCONUS corp.
The main difference you'll see between the two is the "company man" attitude a lot of the BRS folks have. They generally get better quarters and actual bennies from the company where as SEII gets shit aside from a healthy pay check.

Quoted: If you like where your head is stay in the US, best advice I have for you.

How do you like where your head is?

Do you find it damp, dark, or foul-smelling?

How many years did it take you to get that flexible?

I see a business opportunity for BTDT types educating prospective contractors on what to expect...

Interesting thread.

I agree, and so do certin others: www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=2155

Quoted: I agree, and so do certin others: www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=2155

doggone it... Nothing new under the sun as the saying goes!

Quoted: If you like where your head is stay in the US, best advice I have for you.

 Okay-for the crowd who spent their formative years eating lead paint and library paste-WE KNOW PEOPLE GET KILLED!!!OK.  HAPPY NOW?!?!This thread is for relevant information ,not lockstep fact regurgitation of the INCREDIBLY obvious.
Hylton,this was not a personal tirade aimed at you,you were just the most recent post

And gunguy, even though you may hear us troops bitching about the big bucks KBR plumbers get, you are the guys we thank for the hot shower we can have after the 12 hour convoy or patrol.  

I seriously doubt you will ever see the outside of the base.  It's not like KBR is going to tell you to go out in the middle of Falluja to install flush toilets and septic tanks for Achmed the Iraqi.

jwr6-Thank you for your service--as to the showers and toilets,same job I did in the Air Force-plunging toilets for DemocracyHOne good thing about being a "Combat Plumber" (TM) is if the firing starts you always have a hole to hide in-

GunGuy--If you have any theater specific questions IM me and I'll try to tell you what I can without giving out "sensitive" info. (Always cracks me up that the stuff I consider "sensitive" hit CNN 12 hours ago)

i worked for KBR and while the overall experience was great, the companies are run by by idiots, you know the type that could not get a job at target, but are 100 percent qualified for KBR. most of the lower level management is filled with minorites and advancements are unlikly in the first year, for the most part, the work is for retards and you may work 10 percent of a 12 hour shift.  living conditions are great,  you dont leave base. the only downside is dealing with the woefully inept supervisiors formen and managers.  if you dont believe me, I can put you in touch with mulitpul sources who worked in many diffrent sections, MT, AMMO, HVAC, HR, its all the same.  

I will definalty go back but not with KBR this time

Quoted: This does NOT excuse you from medicare and social security! .....

Well all I can say I never paid anymedicare or SS  when I was on contract in the KSA and the IRS was happy when I filed - so good enough for me. Whatever works for you.

Quoted: Quoted: This does NOT excuse you from medicare and social security! ..... Well all I can say I never paid anymedicare or SS  when I was on contract in the KSA and the IRS was happy when I filed - so good enough for me. Whatever works for you.

Damn, internet error wiped out my post!  Oh well..paying those all depend on your employer/contract.  My last contract, we did pay those, while others working for same company on different contract, paid nothing.  My current contract witholds absolutely nothing.  Are you leglly required to pay these or not?  I have no clue, I let the CPA handle that end of the business.

Let us know GunGuy what you decide....sounds like you're going...you might want to browse the jobs over at Danger Zone Jobs and see what else is out there too.  You need a membership though (PM me if you want).  Global Security.com is also helpful for general information about various posts and facilities.

The worse thing to deal with is the seperation, the rest is easy.

Magic 8 Ball says....

Some of the replies in this thread show just how little people who are NOT here actually know about BEING here.
I have been in theater for over 2 years with KBR and not once have I felt the need to carry a weapon. Would I like to carry one? Sure, who wouldn't, but I don't carry at home either.

You are NEVER allowed outside the wire except to go on R&R/LWOP/Demob. Period. (Unless you are a truck driver that convoys from camp to camp and then you are escorted by the military) And even then you chopper to Baghdad and then fly on a charter to Dubai. No biggie. (I just got back from R&R 2 days ago)

To the original poster, if you go over as a plumber, your job does not require you to go outside the wire so you have very little to worry about. All you will be doing is running lines to the hooches or supervising the TCN subcontractors as they do it.

The $80,000 is tax free as long as you meet the 330 day requirement but it's not that simple. They $80,000 is broken down monthly. It comes out to $6,667 (or something very close to that) per month that is tax free. If during any pay period you make over this amount they will take taxes out.

If you have any questions PM me and I'll do my best to answer.

Quoted: They $80,000 is broken down monthly. It comes out to $6,667 (or something very close to that) per month that is tax free. If during any pay period you make over this amount they will take taxes out.

If you work for a US contractor, yes. If you work for a foreign entity, this is not true as they do not issue you a W2 and you file no W4 with them. I was taxed/not taxed based on my annual income, not broken down monthly, because I was a contractor paid by the MoD of the KSA to work in the Riyadh Military Hospital. I still had to file paystubs, but only after it was all done. No monthly breakdown at all.

Now if paid by a US company as per your example, then this is true. Just want to clarify for those considering working in the sandbox, there are many int'l contract offerors.

In some nice news there's supposed to be an increase in the uplift - though I don't know if KBR is going to be giving it.

I'd agree that the biggest issue out here is the quality, or lack thereof, of the management.  Come end of contract I'll look around for other companies to work with - any outfits looking for an accountant?

Quoted: $84,000 tax-free is about $120,000 pre-tax. That's a lot of money. I would just say read the fine print. I've read about truck drivers who only get paid a small amount throughout the year, and get the remainder in one huge lump after they've met the contract time requirements. This prevents truckers from leaving earlier than their contract expires. They didn't make a lot during their time if they left early.

That is not exactly how the "tax free" thing works.  It is more like tax exempt from federal income taxes.  State income taxes will of course vary.

quote]Quoted:

Quoted: This does NOT excuse you from medicare and social security! .....

Well all I can say I never paid anymedicare or SS  when I was on contract in the KSA and the IRS was happy when I filed - so good enough for me. Whatever works for you.

Check your info before giving advice.  
YOU WILL PAY SS & MEDICARE.  It will either be taken out of your check (which you should notice), paid at the end of the year, or you will get a nice letter from the IRS.
Please check the tax code.  

We (KBR) just got the word the other day that the uplift was raised. Supposedly it took effect the 5th.

All I can say is you lucky SOB.  I applied on KBRs website, haven't heard anything... Damn..  

MournSword

.

Yeah, I heard about the raises in uplift about a month ago.  Post Differential and Hazardous Duty are both supposed to go to 35% each instead of the previous 25%.  20% pay raise people!  I think inclusion or exclusion could be dependant on the contract and customer though.  But I imagine most will see it.

MournSword-It takes a while-I thought they had blown me off,then a couple days later they e-mailed me to call the recruiter.BTW,I think it was about 4-6 weeks. TGG

UPDATE!!!!  I just got word,I leave on April 30-heading out.Thanks for all the info,guys.

KBR plumbers for the most part are on the bases, repairing the water lines and shit like that.
why the hell would they send a plumber off base? and when was the last time someone was kidnapped and had their head cut off from on a base?

our kbr guys here on the fob seem to have it good, the only danger to them is the same to us, incoming munitions.
which where im at, aint bad at all.

Quoted: Life insurance and Lvl III body armor with chicken plate for while you are in transit. IEDs are the leading cause of death in Iraq for westerners right now, and you would have to travel to your job I assume. IEDs are an equal opportunity killer, don't leave you quarters without your armor or you are playing russian roulette.

KBR flies their people in for the most part.

Quoted: Quoted: Life insurance and Lvl III body armor with chicken plate for while you are in transit. IEDs are the leading cause of death in Iraq for westerners right now, and you would have to travel to your job I assume. IEDs are an equal opportunity killer, don't leave you quarters without your armor or you are playing russian roulette. KBR flies their people in for the most part.

I was thinking for traveling from site to site in Iraq - but if in green zone onlymight less of an issue then.