PSD/Security Contractors Overseas Work?

[AmericanWarrior]

Something I’ve been thinking about for awhile is doing a little PSD work in Iraq or wherever, but I’m wondering if the money is still there? (not going to lie, partly driven by that) My plans for after the Army are to go into law enforcement out here in Colorado Springs either with the CSPD or State Police. I’m 100% sure this is really what I want to do. But I’d like to establish a nice little nest egg and I just flat out wouldn’t mind doing PSD or other tasks(training US Soldiers etc,) handed out to some of these companies. Its been an interest for awhile.

Also would seven almost eight years as an Infantryman be enough nowadays? (I know it was a few years ago, I know someone that had less time in the 11B series MOS and worked for blackwater. But I haven’t been able to get a hold of him to talk in forever)

I’d like to talk with anyone that may know, we can talk offline via PM if you’d prefer.. I have more questions that I’d like to ask as well just getting this thread going…



was looking at,
http://www.triplecanopy.com/triplecanopy/en/home/
http://www.dyn-intl.com/
http://www.kroll.com/

others?

[Kafr]

Don't ask us. Just fill out the applications and submit your resume. If they want to hire you they will call or email you. The requirements for the positions should be listed under the descriptions.

[Kafr]

Also, make sure you have a valid passport, imunizations are up to date, current physical and you have a current dental exam. Good luck

[sfgrng]

American Warrior:

The money, for the most part is still there. What I would suggest to you is to contact DynCorp as one of the other members suggested. Why? They pretty much pay the best and have a good reputation. They run 3 courses a year. This does not mean you will get a contract as soon as you finish. You may do a few months as a temp or back fill. But people leave or end of contract all of the time. Make sure all of your paper work is uo to date.
Passport, shot record, credit, DD-214 etc. If you have bad credit get it cleared up, DUI's , criminal record or any other such thing. Take care of it. Don't lie about it. They wil find out and you will never get a security clearance. Hope this helps. If you have any questions, don't hesitate. It may take a few days to get back to you, but I will. Also I'll be back in the states end of next week. If you want to give me a ststeside # I'll give you a call when I'm home. Good Luck.

Stay Safe

[scottmr]

The contracts will be not be under DOS-in Iraq at least, and all future PSD/HSLD/BTDT contractors will be subject to Iraqi law(s).

[mdwest]

American Warrior:

The money, for the most part is still there. What I would suggest to you is to contact DynCorp as one of the other members suggested. Why? They pretty much pay the best and have a good reputation.
Stay Safe

this only applies to WPPS..

Dyn is not what I would consider in the high salary range for PSD operations on their non DoS/WPPS contracts..

they certainly are in the median..

but there are others that pay considerably more.. and others still that pay reasonably more.. especially when you get out of Iraq and start looking at their pay scale in Afghanistan, Africa, etc..

[Ian McDevitt]

Go be a cop if you can. Trust me. Forget the other crap.

[Ian McDevitt]

................now your thinking, "Why the heck'd Ian say that?".......You won't do PSD dude. You'll be stuck on some force protection duty, mundane, mind-numbing baloney with some TCN's and a buncha' guys wearing pseudo SF rings that talk about their military time as if they were direct action when they were really just leg-infantry guarding an ammo dump in east bum-you-know-what...............Now go be a cop.

[doc_jake]

Not sure what it’s like your side of the pond, but this side the PSD market is glutted. I’m on a close protection forum over here and there is normally about 5 new members per day asking about high paid jobs. Most of the jobs are by word of mouth, and the employer knows your work history before you apply for the job. The money has dropped because of the number of people chasing a limited number of jobs.
As Ian said if your dreams to be a cop, go for it.

[Jack-O]

AW, heres the way it really works when you separate...

1- get out with high hopes and go into a job you either "really wanted" or "will accept" because you need work.
2- get fired or quit that job due to some random reason
3- get other job because you need work
4- quit or get fired from that job too
5-repeat cycle for 3-5 years until you can start thinking like a civilian and learn how things work in the anarchy that is civilian life.
6-either settle into a job that presents itself as an opportunity or start your own business.

adjusting to civilian life is a hard transition for most military guys. especially those who went into service right after high school and had little work experience before joining.

it's a big nasty mean world out there and nobody is gonna be there to help you out when you need it the most. the lessons are hard and expensive, but once you get them figured out, you can rule the world after that.

good luck.:cool:

[jamgusmc]

AmericanW. BW also has its own training center, and even if you dont have what they are asking(in experience) for they can send you thru it(if they think your worth the trouble) then you can work for them. It costs something like 20k but they take it out of your pay if you make it once deployed.

[sfgrng]

AW, I'm back in the states right now. I'll be glad to try and steer you in the right direction. I'm not a recruiter for anyone. Some of the comments on this topic are correct. It is not easy seperating from the service. There will be a period of adjustment. I retired in 94 and have been a contractor since 95. There is work all over the world. If you can't get the big money contract at first, don't give up. Start networking. My advice to you is this.
Only work for American companies. Only do DOD, DOS or other government vetted contracts. Stay away from the soldier of fiction type stuff, it never turns out good. If this is really what you want to do, the first step is always the hardest.

Stay Safe

[karl johnson]

You won't do PSD dude. You'll be stuck on some force protection duty, mundane, mind-numbing baloney with some TCN's and a buncha' guys wearing pseudo SF rings that talk about their military time as if they were direct action when they were really just leg-infantry guarding an ammo dump in east bum-you-know-what

I'm going to disagree with Ian here. There is a lot to be learned doing FPO work if you have the right attitude. I mostly did PSD, but also did FPO for 3 mos at a time occasionally. Doing FPO I got to meet and work with Danes, Brits, Hungarians, Czechs, Nepalese and Ugandans. Each had their ways of doing things and I learned from each of them, even when I was in charge.

There were two kinds of guys who were unsuccessful in fulfilling their contracts:
1. The guys who were hired without the prereq experience and who decided to leave. They felt in over their heads, and though they were often humble enough they could have been trained into it, they felt they were endangering their team mates. These guys were often cops and very serious about their responsibilities. I can respect that.

2. Guys who think they know it all and are too good to stand out in the sun. They complain about the heat, the food and the smells, annoy everyone around them, go ballistic at every admin snafu and petty annoying incident and are too full of themselves to have the flexibility needed to get by. Embarrassingly enough, these guys were almost always US. They're also likely to leave their team in the lurch when they decide to jump ship. I have no use for a drama queen a the best of times, let alone in the middle of Douchebagistan.

Try FPO and go with a good attitude and you'll learn plenty. Get a good reputation as a real adult who can be counted on, and you might do PSD later if you want to. Be careful, though. It's a small world and once you get known as a clown, you'll be hard pressed to find work again with any reputable company.

[Anthony]

My 0.02 cents, FWIW.

Go for it if you are single or unhappily married.

I went in 2004, as you know.

With my new woman in my life, I would not go now. - I received a Force Protection offer with Dynacorps in november. - Deffinate work. I spoke with the recruiter.

Then I got together with this woman. There is no way I'll be leaving her for a year now.

Fortunately I'm onto something good here in São Paulo state right now.

If you want to be a cop, then be a cop. Apply just before you leave the Army.

Regards,
Anthony.

[jamgusmc]

So the general consensus is to fix credit ratings, and be 100% about all your faults and lack of training, and perhaps someone will take you in let you get your foot in the door and get you trained up, even if its for small jobs at first?

[karl johnson]

It isn't an easy time to be starting. There are a lot of guys with experience after the last several years, so they are the competition.

Still, and I spent almost 3 years doing this stuff though it has been that long since I came home, anyone with a modicum of experience in combat arms or police special ops (Maybury SWAT may not really make it) has the skills to build on. The rest is attitude, determination and patience.

And don't screw up with attitude, alcohol or women on your first contract. You won't be invited back.

[Anthony]

No offense.......... but either take a Federal Job such as my friend did when he left the army or stay in............and get your retirement.I was thinking that actually.

Special Forces?
Delta?
Etc.

A career in the Armed Forces is not a bad life at all!
And a noble one at that!

Regards,
Anthony.

[mdwest]

There is work all over the world. If you can't get the big money contract at first, don't give up. Start networking. My advice to you is this.
Only work for American companies. Only do DOD, DOS or other government vetted contracts. Stay away from the soldier of fiction type stuff, it never turns out good. If this is really what you want to do, the first step is always the hardest.

Stay Safe

this is spot on advice.. every word of it true and accurate..