Archive for category Job Tips
An excellent little article about the value of the clearance. It’s cool to see salaries starting to edge up a little in Afghanistan as well, and it is about time. All of this just emphasizes that if you can get any job you can that will sponsor you for a clearance, do it.(thats if you have never had a clearance) More and more these days, companies want guys with clearances before they will look at you.
There is another interesting angle with the clearance deal. Perhaps one of the positive outcomes of requiring clearances of contractors, is the fact that they have to really watch their finances and everything if they want to maintain it. That is good, because that actually helps to filter out the less than desirable types. It does nothing for increasing the quality of leadership or skill set for the job, but at least we have guys that have to keep their personal and financial business at home squared away, for fear of losing their clearance.
Now if we can get a red card/database system going, where internationally recognized standards that each contractor has are kept, along with clearance level and status, then we are getting somewhere. I hope that one day, I will show up on contract, and at anytime a government or military professional can ask me for my red card qualifications so I can prove that I am who I say I am, then that would be cool. That is what I had for fire fighting in the fire services, and it was an outstanding system. -Matt
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Value of security clearance rises more slowly
By ANTONIE BOESSENKOOL
May 19, 2009
Salaries for government and contractor employees with security clearances continue to rise, yet that growth is cooling off, according to a survey by ClearanceJobs.com, an online job board for job seekers with security clearances.
Despite the slowdown in other parts of the economy, professionals with security clearances working for the federal government or government contractors have seen their average salaries increase nearly 2 percent — to $73,961 — in the last year and a half, ClearanceJobs.com found in its annual survey.
However, “salaries are leveling off a little bit,” said Evan Lesser, founder and director of the site.
“A few years ago, we were seeing 5 [to] 7 percent per year increases — very, very high. And a lot of candidates were receiving things like $10,000, $15,000 [or] $20,000 signing bonuses. … It was very hot and heavy a couple years ago, but that’s leveled off a bit. I think that employers are a little bit more in control now than they were in the past. In the past it was definitely a candidate’s market where they could command any salary they wanted.”
Thanks to Russ for sending me this one. I won’t say much, because I wasn’t there. One thing I will comment on is one aspect of contracting that we really don’t talk about. What happens when you lose a contract or get terminated and the company refuses to ship you back home? Or worse yet, the company just disappears or you get caught up in an incident? Good question, and hey, that can happen on these gigs. You are working in war zones in usually really crappy countries, and anything and everything could happen in these sometimes lawless places. Companies screw over their employees all the time, and it is always wise to have a ‘Go Bag’ set up, and a plan for how you will get out of that country.
The kinds of things you want to do are set up fixers and travel agents that can get things going in country with a call. You also want lots of cash, so you can take a taxi or hire a driver and get across the border that way. Have copies of your passport, visas, credit cards, etc. hidden all over the place on your person and kit. Same thing with the money, and the more you can strategically place that stuff on your body and kit, the better. Even have a throw wallet with a little cash in it that you can give to bandits to throw them off. Make sure you have plenty of money though, because that is the stuff that is going to bribe checkpoint guards and pay for an escape through the borders or whatever. Even some cigarettes will help as a currency, and have a few packs of those in your kit. Like I said, have a plan and talk it up with your buddies on a region specific Go Kit or Escape and Evasion Kit and don’t just trust that your company will do the right thing.
Also, if you are a criminal, I hope you get caught and rot in prison. And for those companies that have screwed over their contractors out there, by hanging them out to dry…. you will get yours one day. -Matt
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Two Blackwater-Affiliated Contractors Flee Afghanistan
By AUGUST COLE
MAY 19, 2009
Two of the four Blackwater-affiliated contractors involved in a civilian shooting incident in Kabul earlier this month have fled to the U.S. in order to avoid possible prosecution from Afghan authorities, according to their attorney.
The four men worked as military trainers for Paravant LLC, an affiliate of Blackwater Worldwide, whose parent company is now called Xe after a recent name change. Paravant was assisting Raytheon Co. on a Defense Department contract.
Armed contractors working for the Defense Department have been a touchy issue in Iraq as well as Afghanistan because of civilian deaths when fighting sometimes erupts. In Afghanistan, the recent incident risks further inflaming anger over civilian deaths caused by U.S. forces, and is a test of the Afghan government’s posture toward foreign contractors, who are set to dramatically increase as the Pentagon ramps up the number of troops there in the coming months.
This is not only cool, but it is essential stuff for contracting. And what I really like about this encrypted flash drive is that it self destructs. So if you lose it, and someone picks it up and attempts to break into it, it will erase after tampering or ten attempts at a password. Not to mention that it is mil spec.
But if you are out there on contract, and your company loses their gig and you’re rolled over to another company or you hop on over to a better deal, having your important stuff stored on a device like this and ready to send is vital. I would also save your documents on an encrypted email account like Hushmail or some other secure online service where you can store documents. Have the stuff easy to get to, that is safely stored and secure, and in different places, can make the difference between getting a job or not when you are out on the road. -Matt
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I was flipping through some military history the other day, and found what I think is another excellent building snowmobiles topic. What defines the ultimate security contractor out there? Is it someone who is just really good with a pistol, or someone that drives really well, or what? Or better yet, what kind of contractor really has value in the grand spectrum of this kind of work?
Well, from what I can gather in history, it pays to know how to do a lot of different things if you want to do this kind of work and be successful.
For example, a guy that knows how to fix weapons, is a very valuable asset out on contracts. Most companies do not provide armorers, and if they do have them, they seem to never make it out to your location when you need them the most. So eventually, you either learn to fix your own weapons, or you take it to the guy on that contract who has armorer skills and the tools to do the job. That guy tends to be very popular on contracts, and they increase in value with every repair they do. And if the site manager has to make some cuts, and he has to choose between the ‘useful contractor’ or the guy that just gets along, then he will cut the non-useful contractor and go with the guy that can fix weapons.
I got the idea for this post, while reading Eeben’s post on physical security. It seems like this stuff should be common sense, but for some folks, they just don’t get it. This will hopefully give the reader a starting point to grow from. There are tons of resources on how to operate out there, and everyone has an opinion. For me, I like to keep things basic, and stick to what works. The Marines still use these 11 General Orders, and every Marine must learn them while at boot camp. Although, if you don’t have the time to memorize this stuff, just copy them on a 3X5 and put them in your pocket. Guys do that all the time, with all sorts of information they have to remember. I also run around with maps, nine line, language stuff, compass, frequencies, POC, etc. I also keep a notebook and pen with me, so I can write stuff down–lots of common sense stuff, and excellent for those of us with a rough memory capability. lol
So you’re on your first contract, and you have just arrived in country. You have your gear and weapon, and you have met your team leader and maybe the site manager, and your all ready to do the job. And let’s say your job is site security, which most of the gigs these days are just that, and you have just been dropped off at your post. Of course you read the post orders, and you are told what your specific job is, and what your schedule is, and how long you will be working, and who you will be working with, but after that, you’re on your own.
As a contractor, how do you act, now that you are out on your own? Your a ‘feral jundi’, so what standards do you hold to, now that you are released into the wilds of security contracting? You might be prior military or law enforcement, retired and/or extremely experienced. You might be a young guy that did a few combat tours in Iraq with the Army or Marines, and got out after you did your time. Or, you might be a bouncer or security guy, that knew all the right people and got your foot in the door that way. You found your way to that contract, with that gun in your hand, and a company and customer are now depending on you to do the job your hired to do. So what is the proper mindset to have as a contractor on some boring and tedious site security detail?
How do you act, when you are the new guy, and you’re on post and wanting to do a good job?
Well for one, read your post orders and ask as many questions as you can so you can fully understand your duties. Do not assume anything, and really learn the duties of your post. But what happens when you do not have post orders, or the orders are very light and you really don’t have much direction on how to act? Believe me, some contracts are like that out there. So what is the guidance that will help you to do a good job and leave a lasting impression about how you do business? Or the better question is how do you want to be remembered by your co-workers and managers–the screw off who could care less about doing a good job, or the guy that everyone can depend upon and will do things right when no one is looking?
Well if you want to do a good job, and are looking for some guidance on how to do a good job, then here is something that has helped me over the years on gigs. They are called the 11 General Orders for Sentries and I learned them a long time ago when I was in the Marines. Although a few of these orders have to be tweaked to be applicable for contracting, the intent is still there. I have also given an interpretation for each order, on how it could be applied to the contracting scene. Some of these might not apply for where you are at, but most orders will and they are a great check list on how to operate on a post. Some of you might have your own check list on how to operate out there, and it is all good for your personal Kaizen. So here they are and Semper Fi. -Matt
General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
*To take charge of this post and all customer property in view.
General Order 2
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
*To walk my post in a professional manner, keeping always on alert and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
General Order 3
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
*To report all violations of the contract I am instructed to enforce.
General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
*To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
General Order 5
To quit my post only when properly relieved.
*To quit my post only when properly relieved.
General Order 6
To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
*To receive, obey and pass on to the guard who relieves me all orders from the project manager, site manager, team leader and any other leaders of the guard shift only.
General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
*To talk to no one except in the line of duty.(phone calls, internet, iPod, etc.–distractions are not good)
General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
*To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
*To call the leader of the guard force in any case not covered by instructions.
General Order 10
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
*To show respect for your leaders, and for the chain of command as per contract.
General Order 11
To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
*To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.
I was perusing Lightfighter the other day, and came across this awesome thread from the guys at Cohort International. So after asking their permission, I was given the go ahead to post this awesome write up on what they are looking for for disaster security work.
To me, this is one area that could continue to be the silent bread winner in this industry, and disasters come in some shape or form every year it seems. The last couple of years has really been nuts. So get your resumes in and do what you gotta do to keep in shape and do well on the shooting tests, because disasters strike at any time. Thanks again to the guys at Cohort for putting this together. -Matt
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The diaster relief contracts are with the third largest energy suppler in the US. Cohort has been helping them out and has the contract already. (We have been under contract with them since Katrina)
We are looking for former military, LEO, medics, and National Guard units. (Last seasnon we hired 50 NG from the Montana guard.) YES females may apply with the same qualifications as the men,you will be treated like everybody else.
If last season is any indication of things to come according to NOAA this year is supposed to be worst. Cohort put 400 operators in the region and kept them there for over three months.
With the hurricane season starting in three months we are compiling a list of good solid people willing to work these disasters.
Podcasts: COR Interviews William Beaver of DangerZoneJobs.com
This show should be required listening for all of those readers out there that are trying to break into overseas contracting. Bill is an expert in this field, and I highly recommend his Danger Zone Jobs service. There is a lot of information on that site, and it is one stop shopping for those who want to keep up with the latest news on the industry. Bill also offers a free PDF on his site, that is a survey of contractors and how they found a job in the contracting field. It is a wealth of information, and you can find it at www.dangerzonejobs.com . -Matt
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This is some good info, for the guy trying to break into the business. And now that clearances are becoming more required for security contracts, it becomes a problem for some. So here are some tips for getting your clearance, and I am sure if you follow the link to the job forum at the Post, you could ask this guy some more questions. -Matt
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Breaking Into Defense Without a Clearance
Sunday, February 22, 2009; K01
Derrick T. Dortch, president of the Diversa Group, is a career counselor who specializes in government job searches and military transitions. This is adapted from a recent chat at washingtonpost.com.
Columbia: How do I enter the defense contracting field without a clearance?
Derrick T. Dortch: This is very difficult but not impossible. First let me suggest that you do a search not only for defense contracting jobs but, more importantly, actual federal jobs within the Defense Department. Government contractors usually want you to have a clearance already, but federal agencies will give you a clearance after they hire you. For federal agencies, you can get a position and get your clearance and after a few years decide if you want to become a contractor.
With defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton or CSC, I suggest you look for positions that are called “clearable.” These are positions where they would love for a person to have a clearance, but for the right person they will bring them aboard and clear them.
Do note that when they are looking for clearable people they are looking for someone who can get through the security clearance process without any red flag popping up. Make sure your financial, criminal and other personal matters are in order.
Tustin, Calif.: Does the government hire people older than 65?
Derrick T. Dortch: Yes, the federal government does hire people who are older than 65. There is no age discrimination as it relates to hiring people. The only positions that have age restrictions are usually law enforcement or operational jobs in the areas of national security and intelligence.
Online Discussion: Derrick Dortch’s next live chat will be a 11 a.m. March 4. Go to this link.
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