MOS = Military Occupational Specialty, which in civilian terms means job title, job description. John
Go for it!! With all that extra cash, you could drop the SuperCat off at the shop and when you get back it would be show ready!:bglasses:
check with this guy; timothy.l.bonnes@usarmy.com He's been there since march and convoys were his thing (gunner on a Humvee)Northern Iraq tony
Here's some more of what I've been able to find out so far. Their deal with unckle sam is an "open-ended" 10 year contract. That means if the U.S. military leaves, so do we. That also means that anytime I've had enough, they'll pay me up to the point that they ship me home. Orientation is 2-3 weeks in Austin, Texas. All air travel, accomodations and meals are provided during orientation. They will get me all of the work visas and passports. They give a $500.00 cash advance upon "deployment". The insurance, which cost about $100/mo. is thru Cigna. There's also $25,000 in life insurance provided. Any medical treatment needed would be performed by U.S. military medics in the field or U.S. doctors at the army hospital in Kuait, or Hamborg, if neccessary. They only travel in armed military escorted convoys. They only run during daylight hours, sunup to sundown. I will not have to haul fuel, unless I want to (NO, I DON'T). They drive european Freightliner (Mercedes) trucks. Virtually no DOT regs. on weight, HOS, log books, etc. All time spent not driving we would be confined to the military bases. We'd get sleeping bags on cots in 10-man army tents with wood plank floors like the ones seen on M*A*S*H. Just about everything over there is provided for us from the meals (Halliburton also has the catering contract.), and laundry to the free smallpox/anthrax vaccine shots and the custom tailored NBC suit (Nuclear/Biological/Chemical) with all the training neccessary to use it. Every 4 months we would get 10 days R&R with air travel allowance to virtually ANYWHERE we want to go. (Bill, which airport is closest to Adelaide?) All this and more for 68-85K for the full 365 day term AND the first 70K is TAX-FREE! They recommend that we don't go back to the US during our R&R time since that can affect the tax-free status of our pay. They even have a credit union available with direct deposit (even into multiple accounts). Since there's really nothing to spend our money on over there, this looks like a good way to bank alot of cash, not to mention the 3 vacations in a year that could be spent virtually anywhere outside of the country. (Erik, when is the weather nice over there?) This is certainly more than most company drivers get in a year over here. It's about twice the money I'm making as a local driver now, and I only get one paid week off after one full year. If I do this, it won't be untill after the new year. Probably sometime after Jan 15th, that will be my 1 year aniversary with my current company. I don't want to miss out on my vacation pay. Also, some of my fellow drivers are thinking of going over with me. I think that It would be better to go over there as a group or at least with someone else I know, rather than do it alone.
After I spoke with the recruiter she mentioned to me that the first $80k is tax-free and most guys make over $100k for the year.
It won't be a vacation, and you'll be getting paid a lot better than the guys escorting you. As long as you are aware of the dangers and it still sounds appealing, then go for it. It'll be something you can tell your grandkids(or nephews) about over and over again when you're old and feeble. :laugh:
Robert, Just think it over, talk to your family and friends about it. I think it's good you don't just jump into this adventure. Adelaide Airport is where you land when visiting Bill in Oz, I took the hard route and came hitch-hiking from Sydney to Adelaide on my way to Perth. Australia is a great country to spend your 10 days of R&R (that means Rock 'n Roll in Oz) About our weather: After April until September is fine, you're welcome to stay at my place. But.......try to bring Carmen..... Let MR Hali or Mr Burton pay for the shipping and I'll buy her. You know how much I like that car, I even saved the videos on my computer Good luck on deciding what to do Robert :TU: It's stronger than I am......... Link to "Carmen, the videos" http://cyberbuick.servebeer.com/~dualqwad/Deuce 3.mov http://cyberbuick.servebeer.com/~dualqwad/Buick 4 Web.mov
$62,000,000 overcharge !! money in cheney's pocket who allegedly is still receiving funds from haliburton into a blind trust .
Gstewart---Do you see it as your duty on this board to hijack every thread that has the word "Iraq" in it and try to turn it into a political argument? This is getting old. Patton
Robert, there is good adivce here, and little I can add except a few points. Adam is certainly right about the majority of the population being glad we're there, and the liberal media (along with certain posters here) only seeing what they want to. Things are getting better, but it's slow. My next door neighbor is the current US chief consultant to the Oil Ministry of Iraq. He's the one with the big house!! He confirms what I've said. Austin is really a nice place to visit. Let me know if you decide to do the deal and I can help you get around one of my very favorite cities. Should we not hook up, remember "6th street", the lakes, and UT sports. A single man, soon to have serious change in his pocket, could do a lot worse! Bunch of Buick guys there, too. I've worked with large contractors for 30 years and been involved with Haliburton/Brown & Root more than once. To me, they are no better or worse than the other international "heavy" contractors. The $61mm deal is over cooked by the media to try to put a black eye on Bush. If they owe the money, they'll pay it. Besides, it doesn't sound like you plan to be a lifetime employee. If you decide to take the job, God's speed! There are many of us that will pray for your safe return. What an experience. And the stories you will tell! Just make sure it's right for you.
response patton; not hijacking any thread . only pondering about friends in high places and repeating only what was on your news services !
WHOA!! AH HAH, That's where the problem lies! It's in our news services, most of which seem to have a strange idea what is "news" and don't provide much service. That's why I avoid them whenever possible. A less than biased story on the subject can be seen here; http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031212.whall1212/BNStory/International/ And the company's side of story is here; http://www.halliburton.com/news/archive/2003/corpnws_121803.jsp There's also alot more going on with Halliburton than just Iraq; http://www.corpwatch.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=6008 and; http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0727-02.htm
Hey Tony, That email address doesn't work and aparrently neither does yours. My messages were bounced back as undeliverable. uzzled:
I don't know about working for Halliburton....they nearly crippled us and almost ran us out of business.I work for Dresser Inc.(formerly known as Dresser Industries before Halliburton bought us and then sold us) and we are finally coming around after being out of the hands of Halliburton. Cheney did nothing for us,but take his share off the top and leave our profits reduced. The only reason why Halliburton bought us was because of M.W. Kellogg Inc. which was an oil and energy exploration division of Dresser Industries. P.S. Even if they overcharged the government $61 million,the company will try everything they can to wiggle out of it.
3 weeks in Houston just doesn't match 3 weeks in Austin! Oh,well. Houston has a lot to do, many Buick folks, and lovely ladies. Enjoy! Getting any closer to a decision? My neighbor is back from Iraq, but only for the holidays and to get his youngest son married off. We spoke briefly this AM and he is really enjoying his adventure, and thinks we are making a huge difference over there. As far as safety, he says the only concern is the randomness of the attacks. No one can plan for every moment or each step along the path. Happy Holidays, everone! :beer
Not yet... Basically, no. Not yet. Especially when I get emails from people over there like the one I got today. Here's an portion of it; "...a little bit of excitement this morning. We were attacked with RPG's... 2 hit outside of the compound but 1 made it inside. Half of the KBR staff quit because of it! It hit kinda close to where their sleep trailers are." :jd: :jd:
