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Offline RickEJ6

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« on: April 14, 2004, 03:28:11 PM »
In some cases you are exactly correct. Im not sure what other roles they take on, but I do know that they are payed for their services by the day, and it is rather profitable. Rick
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by RickEJ6 »
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Offline HavHav

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« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2004, 03:32:19 PM »
I don't think they are a true mercinary, but more of a body guard. Former SWAT, SF, etc that want to make some money, ($1,000 per day from some firms) and provide security for diplomats, and the such. Christian was talking about DynCorp a while back (one of the firms that does that) Blackwater is where those 4 contracters were from. If you got the experience, you can make some serious money. Raith or sarge know more about this sort of stuff.

Theres some more about them (with pictures)

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/vi ... hp?t=12365
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by HavHav »
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Offline aceriker

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« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2004, 03:35:29 PM »
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by HavHav</i>
<br />I don't think they are a true mercinary, but more of a body guard. Former SWAT, SF, etc that want to make some money, ($1,000 per day from some firms) and provide security for diplomats, and the such. Christian was talking about DynCorp a while back (one of the firms that does that) Blackwater is where those 4 contracters were from. If you got the experience, you can make some serious money. Raith or sarge know more about this sort of stuff.

Theres some more about them (with pictures)

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/vi ... hp?t=12365
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I saw that exact forum this morning. Thats when the question came up.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by aceriker »
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Offline Harley

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« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2004, 04:54:32 PM »
Contractors are any civilian employee.  You are hired to any of a number of jobs including private security, driving a tractor trailer, or working in a warehouse.  Not all contractors are mercenaries/body guards.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Harley »
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Offline leakingpen

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« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2004, 12:49:29 PM »
nope not all are, but most all the ones reported as dead are.  most of the construction workers are being reported simply as civilians, because its more emotion inducing, and the mercs as contractors becuase it sounds better.  of course, they only report them at all in cases where the media already knows about it.  theres been an estimated 80 or so dead in april so far, not that you hear about it from the mainstream media.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by leakingpen »
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Offline Giland

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« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2004, 01:37:28 PM »
Actually, you are way off.
Currently, anyone with computer type experience can get a job in Iraq running computer cable (cat 5).
The pay is roughly $100k (depending on exp and location). The days are about 14 hours long, 7 days a week. Every 16 weeks, you get 1 week off. If you spend less than 1 week in the US that year, you do not owe any taxes on it. The company that hires you gives you a handgun to carry for protection.

My brother-in-law was contacted about it since he is an expert on WAN based networking systems (he didn't take it).
They also need people who know how to run electric lines, plumming, etc etc. There are LOTS of contractors like that over there, just like during the first Gulf War, they contracted firefighters, oil reg specialists, and hazardous materials specialists out of Houston (my wife worked for one such company)to help with all the oil well fires. They made huge dough for sending people over there and really, didn't have to comply with US federal laws.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Giland »
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Offline Farslayer

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« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2004, 03:47:49 PM »
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Giland</i>
<br />Actually, you are way off.
Currently, anyone with computer type experience can get a job in Iraq running computer cable (cat 5).
The pay is roughly $100k (depending on exp and location). The days are about 14 hours long, 7 days a week. Every 16 weeks, you get 1 week off. If you spend less than 1 week in the US that year, you do not owe any taxes on it. The company that hires you gives you a handgun to carry for protection.

My brother-in-law was contacted about it since he is an expert on WAN based networking systems (he didn't take it).
They also need people who know how to run electric lines, plumming, etc etc. There are LOTS of contractors like that over there, just like during the first Gulf War, they contracted firefighters, oil reg specialists, and hazardous materials specialists out of Houston (my wife worked for one such company)to help with all the oil well fires. They made huge dough for sending people over there and really, didn't have to comply with US federal laws.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Yep...there are a lot of different contractors overthere.  Many of them are involved in the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure (communications, sewers, roads and transportation, etc.)  There are probably people helping with education and medical projects too.  
These civilian security personnel make loot...but it's very dangerous. They are hired by private firms and military all over the world. If you get on Blackwater USA's site, you can link to the job postings.  Some people post their resume' there, looking for jobs.  Good reading.  Mostly former SF and alike.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Farslayer »
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Offline azsarge

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« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2004, 12:22:54 AM »
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by leakingpen</i>
<br />nope not all are, but most all the ones reported as dead are.  most of the construction workers are being reported simply as civilians, because its more emotion inducing, and the mercs as contractors becuase it sounds better.  of course, they only report them at all in cases where the media already knows about it.  theres been an estimated 80 or so dead in april so far, not that you hear about it from the mainstream media.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Hey, where you been bud?  I have been eagerly awaiting your replies to a few recent topics on these boards.  Glad to see you're back![8D]

Of course, I disagree with most of them, but it's good to have you here to balance the equation with some liberal rhetoric.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by azsarge »
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Offline Farslayer

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« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2004, 10:57:44 AM »
For those who don't mind registering for the NY Times (free), there's a 5 page article on security contractors on the front page today.

Not sure if this link will work:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/19/inter ... CU.html?th
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Farslayer »
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Offline leakingpen

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« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2004, 01:03:28 PM »
hey sarge, had absolutely no free time for awhile. thanks for missing me.

  and giland, im aware of that, that wasnt my point.  the construction contracters that have died (And there have been several) are all listed in the media reports as "civilians"  i will hunt down the link for you, but of those listed as "contractors" roughly 60 percent are Blackwater people, and the other 40 percent from smaller merc companies.  
thanks for the link farslayer.  interesting article.

it states there are about 20 k mercenaries in iraq right now, and that their pay will acount for up to 25 percent of the 18 billion that was budgeted for iraqi reconstrution.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by leakingpen »
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Offline azsarge

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« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2004, 03:13:25 PM »
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by leakingpen</i>
<br />
it states there are about 20 k mercenaries in iraq right now, and that their pay will acount for up to 25 percent of the 18 billion that was budgeted for iraqi reconstrution.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Damn[:O], I'm in the wrong business!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by azsarge »
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Offline leakingpen

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« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2004, 03:59:13 PM »
I dunno about that sarge.  Casualty estimates range, as they arent reported except when the media finds out about them themselves, but ive heard anywhere from 100 to 500 mercenaries have died in iraq.  Even at 100, that's a higher percentage than regular troops.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by leakingpen »
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Offline Ninja

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« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2004, 08:23:52 PM »
Yeah, because less regular troops are put in harm's way like that.  There's a reason they're paying tha kind of money.

I would take the 20,000 thing with a grain of salt, as well as the budget thing.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Ninja »
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Offline azsarge

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« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2004, 11:49:42 PM »
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Ninja</i>
<br />
I would take the 20,000 thing with a grain of salt, as well as the budget thing.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Exactly.  Some guys on the LF boards have family/friends over there with Blackwater, DynCorp, etc, and report that conditions are hardly acceptable.  The pay is the only perk, and even that can be modest for what these guys go through.  It's all about the passion.  These guys are ex-military/LE and just can't get enough.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by azsarge »
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Offline aceriker

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« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2004, 03:11:20 PM »
My main question is, what/who are they? They have been in the news a lot since those three were ambushed last week in Iraq. Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I gather they are hired guns/mercinaries that are able to do things that the regular military cannot do. I know I'm probably wrong but thats why I asked the question. Thanks.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by aceriker »
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