As far as private contractors go, Blackwater probably does have the highest standard for many of their jobs. For the most part they don't screw around.

As for the training, they contract some training of some military personnel, but are a long way from doing all of it. Usually they are contracted to do refresher or mission specific type updated training, as some of the training commands are often using their people to deploy more.

I'm sure there is a reason they are located where they are. Right between the Navy and Marine Corps major bases for special operations forces on the east coast.



I thought about it a while back, wife wouldn't go for it. Maybe I should have promised a bigger insurance payoff?


Just FYI, with some searching you can find other good paying overseas options to fit military backgrounds. I have a neighbor that spent some time in Quatar doing communications stuff, and brought home some solid tax free income for his time there.

 

Speaking for myself, the alternative is a much larger military and without doubt greater taxes to support it. Blackwater or any other government contractor has just as much if not more accoutability than anyone else, and no bid contracts and such take place all the time, so it's not really affecting government corruption either.

If the "real" soliders don't like it, then they probably don't like the guys they serve with either. Most major private firms employ almost completely former military or cops with specialty training. In the case of Blackwater, the standard they had for many positions required a minimal amount of time within very specialized military groups.

In the early days of the Iraq conflict the only people Blackwater was hiring were former Force Recon Marines and SEALS. Neither is a position easy to earn, nor is either something the average military guy ends up doing.

 

How did i know that when i started this thread that it would just turn into a debate on the Morality of Private Security (thats why in the initial posting i tried to circumvent this)

I was just looking for personall insight into the career from guys that have been there.

Im pursuing a job in Private Security no matter how much someone tells me its wrong, I personally beleive its a great opportunity to learn a lot and make a few bucks along the way

 

While your at it, drink a couple for me

 

I watched a expose on "CNN Presents" and if I remember correctly, Blackwater has never lost a single person they were responsible for guarding.

There have been many Blackwater employees murdered over there, hence the lucrative salaries, but from the article I read on WIKIPEDIA, they have world class training by EX-Navy Seals, and they don't screw around.

If you read the article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_USA

It's understandable about them having an itchy trigger finger, heck, who wouldn't after all the crap they have been through.

They are a private company doing a tough job, and for all the success they had I think they need to be cut some slack for their shortcomings.

I know if I was some rich mucky muck living there, I would hire Blackwater to protect my *** if I was fortunate enough to be able to afford them.

If you get on with them, I think the training and experience will be worth its weight in gold. Your resume will look golden and that experience will help you get almost any job you want later on in life. (in the security field)

Good luck and be safe.

H

 

But watch out if this passes

CBS: Blackwater notified 'all immunities shall be cancelled'

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/CBS_Bl...hall_1110.html

 

Eh, not too worried about it, that just means dont do something stupid, and now all Blackwater convoys have a State Department official with them so they will have some accountability if they are accused of wrongdoing

 

Interesting point of view.

To stay on topic though I think times are changing for contractors. Its going to be a lot harder for them to operate in the future. The hole point of a contractor was to operate outside the scope of the military. If you do end up doing it make sure it is in a job where you have plenty of support. If you go outside the FOB right now, imagine doing that except with out the support of the American military just a phone call away because that is how a majority of them operate.

I think the job you mentioned in Afghanistan would be a good one. Plenty of resources and the satisfaction of actually doing a worthwhile job.


31C