Any PMCs on calguns?

[bambam8d1]

Hey guys. I was wondering if there were any current or former private military contractors on here that would be willing to help get me in the right direction. I am currently in Afghanistan and will have about a year left on my army contract when I get back from this deployment and would like to get into the field when I get out. If there are any on here and would be willing to give me any advice or pointers into getting into the business or willing to shoot the **** with me about it feel free to PM me. Thanks.

[tnlrat37]

First, thank you for your service. Try reading this book, it was written by one of my former platoon commanders Lt Jake Allen. I found it free online awhile back but cant find it now. We were in the USMC together and since he got out he has written several books about working as a PMC. He even had a podcast called "The Combat Operator" for a while, all about military contracting and security work, not sure if its still on though. He was a good guy and tough as S..t. Good luck, be sure to get some good reference letters before you EAS from your current commanders and peers, good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/Security-Contracting-Jake-Allen-ebook/dp/B002SB8RKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410015807&sr=8-1&keywords=security+contracting+jake+allen

[bambam8d1]

Thankyou

[pitbull30]

You said you are in Afghanistan. Dyncorp has some positions open.

https://dyncorp.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&portal=101430233

[stphnman20]

I've done a few gigs as a contractor in Iraq. It is a very competitive field to get into. But that was back then. I don't know how it is now. Check Triple Canopy, DynCorp, MVM, Armour Group, G4s and SOC,

Most gigs now are just static, gate guard gigs. They suck! All my gigs were mobile, convey security.

[Gawernator]

Any PMCs on calguns?

What's your MOS? I saw some tactical armed intel analyst spots in Afghanistan open last week on clearancejobs.

It's definitely competitive and the market is shrinking kinda with the drawdown... But if you have good experience, a bachelor's degree or higher and a good clearance (especially poly) you should be able to land a great spot pretty easily.

If you don't have a degree then go get one with your GI BIll FIRST

Also, you might already know but be aware contracting doesn't give great job security sometimes. A guy came here to work a few weeks ago and his company lost the contract last week lol. So, he's probably leaving already. (Don't know)

You can always look for DoD positions while you look at contracting jobs. Contracting usually will pay more though. Your benefits are going to vary depending on the company. I know Booz Allen and SAIC are pretty legit

[bambam8d1]

I'm an 11b, infantry. I have deployment experience with and formal PSD training and do have a clearance. No bachelor's degree however. Just an AA.

[Gawernator]

I'm an 11b, infantry. I have deployment experience with and formal PSD training and do have a clearance. No bachelor's degree however. Just an AA.

Okay cool, so you're probably looking for armed or guard type positions specifically I'd guess. I'm sure a bachelor's will definitely raise your employment chances, use your GI Bill?

[bambam8d1]

Yessir. Would be looking for security/PSD/ convoy security type stuff. Have been checking out shootersjobs dot com. And a few other sites.

[stphnman20]

Have you checked SOCNET? Go there and look at their domestic and international jobs. The ones who post these jobs are the actual recruiter.

http://www.socnet.com/forumdisplay.php?f=202

Good luck. Like I said, it's very competitive. Especially vetting for WPPS.

[Duy12B]

shooterjobs seems to be a popular spot to sign up.

I've done a few years with 4horsemen running logistics convoys through afghanistan.

Once you get your feet wet and have a descent working history you can jump on board triple canopy or dynacorp. I'm not sure if they pick people up right out of the military, I heard they were rather picky with those hires.

[1911ShooterPhil]

Invest in yourself...

I was a Marine scout who served in a RECON unit. I was lucky enough to be recruited by a private security consulting firm almost immediately out of the military. I had battle injuries, was recovering from PTSD, and I was a heavy drinker. The best thing my employer and my mentor taught me, was how to UNLEARN how to be a shooter. Corporations go through shooters and "operators" like paper in the copy room. Seriously. They hire a guy because he has years left on his security clearance, and then when it's up, they don't re-up him, and they sign on someone else who's fresh off the battlefield. Why? Because they don't have to sponsor that person for a security clearance. That's a $10-$15K savings. Seriously. Rinse, wash, repeat. That's not a cynical world view. That's business. That is how it's done.

Yes, I was shooter. Yes, I did the security contractor thing for a while (2004-2010). I worked in many states, some exciting countries, and quite a few contracts (private sector and public sector) for interesting companies and various government entities. What did I learn during this process? The shooters make less money than the Subject Matter Experts (SME), the analysts, and the folks on the business planning and operations side of the house. Seriously. That's why I became an SME. Today, I'm an analyst.

Everyone thinks the PSD guys and the "operators" make all the money. No. False. That's not always the case. They have lots of bill-able hours on the ground, and they are compensated for working in "hazardous conditions." All true. But, they are easily replaced. It is harder to replace the SME's, analysts, business planning, and operations folks. They make the attractive salaries. Why? Knowledge, experience, and (most importantly) contacts in the field. I'm just saying.

Today, I have my hand in both spheres. I keep on top of my tactical training. I maintain weapons training, professional licenses, and personal carry permits. But, beyond all that, I've also done professional training through DHS, FEMA, and others, plus not to mention my academic accomplishments.

Seriously, if I were 10 years younger and had the opportunity to advise my younger self back then...I would have told myself to go INTEL and not RECON. Why? A more marketable future! It took me years to re-tool myself for a new career.

Okay, so you're an 11B. Infantry. Okay. Great. Lots of 11B folks out there. What you need to do is learn how to differentiate yourself from the other 11B folks. You've had tactical training. Great. So have many others. Do you have any technical skills? How's your math? Language skills? Do you have writing abilities? Critical thinking abilities? What rank are you? Do you posses decision making abilities? These are things employers want to know. For me, it was a hard transition. You're looking to make an easy transition, yes? From military to civilian contractor? Well...find a niche! Get a specialty.

Learn Arabic. Learn geographical region history. Learn computer skills. Get a degree in Security Studies or Homeland Security Studies or Political Science or Law. Think I'm joking? Think again. Hard skills count for so much. Soft skills count for way more in the private sector.

You want a career doing this stuff? Invest in yourself. That's all I can say. If you need advice or tips, feel free to PM me. --1911ShooterPhil

[pterrell]

Just my .02, but use your GI bill and finish out your bachelors. You're far more employable with that coupled with your 11B training. It takes you from the middle of the stack to the top just by having it.

[Gawernator]

And today a Bachelor's is pretty much just standard. Pretty difficult to find anything in Intel without a bachelor's. You need a master's or higher or many many years of experience to really "set yourself apart"

The biggest money in this field is the high end SME positions and tactical intel jobs that used to pay 200-300k a year...

[09rubicon]

I can back up what shooterphil is saying. I have 17 years active duty intel. I went away from the desk route and went MITT/SFAT and completed the foreign security services combat advisor course. I have an AS in Intel Operations and am almost done with my BS. Why do I tell you all this? I am 3 full years from retirement and have recruiters contacting me monthly! Primarily SAIC, Booze Allen, Lyedos, and even BAE Land Systems. I have no doubt I will have a job when I get out.

Cross train, get in school and get any intel classes you can get!