Be sure to check out Tundra’s courses you can take which are SIA certified. I guess if you want to work for them, you have to go through their courses as well, although I doubt it would be a guarantee for employment. –Matt
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Private security called a boon to Canadian bases in Afghanistan
By Colin Perkelx
June 18, 2009
PANJWAII DISTRICT, Afghanistan — The increased reliance on private companies to provide basic security for Canadian bases in southern Afghanistan is freeing up critical military manpower, officers say, although some soldiers worry about the effectiveness of local Afghan guards.
Several operating bases in the dangerous Panjwaii district are now farming out the sentry work, the latest switch-over coming just this week.
“It definitely gives us flexibility,” said Maj. Steve Jourdain, infantry commander and head of a patrol base. “If it was not for the private security, it would not be possible for me to do the next operation.”
In this particular case, the Canadian-owned security company Tundra Strategies won the contract with the Department of National Defence.
Tundra, one of four private companies working for Canada, runs an Afghanistan-based operation that hires and trains mostly Afghans as guards, but deploys them as far from their home regions as possible in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
After complaints from some of the NATO soldiers – some of the Afghan guards were found sleeping on duty, for example – Tundra sent in a full-time commander, a 22-year veteran of the Canadian army.
The commander, who identified himself only as Steve in order to protect the integrity of his mission, oversees a contingent of guards who live and work from their own quarters on one edge of the base.
In effect, it’s a parallel platoon, a largely self-sufficient unit that operates with its own communications network, weapons, uniforms and vehicles – even its own supply of food and a cook.
The guards are at least 25 years old to avoid depleting the ranks of Afghan government forces, which tend to seek out even younger recruits to avoid having to disabuse them of bad habits. Some are ex-soldiers.
“This is warfare,” Steve said. “They are well trained.”
Privately, however, some soldiers fret about the level of protection the security companies offer.
“Maybe I don’t trust them as much as my fellow (soldiers),” said one, who spoke on condition that he not be named. “But they are locals, so they have a lot more chance to spot something than we do.”
Not only that, but it’s cheaper than having Canadian soldiers do the same job and frees them up to concentrate on other aspects of the mission, he added. “So it’s a win-win situation.”
Other soldiers talk about running into private security forces while on patrol and not really knowing who they were dealing with.
In one case last fall, Master Cpl. Josh Roberts was killed when his unit came under fire from both Taliban militants and possibly guards belonging to Compass Security ISS, which was escorting an aid convoy through Zhari district, west of Kandahar.
A military police investigation concluded Roberts died from a Taliban bullet, a conclusion his family has questioned.
The issues surrounding armed guards has prompted the Afghan government to clamp down, whittling down the number of companies to about 40 from more than 100, according to recent estimates. Companies now require expensive – some complain usurious – government licensing.
As a result, most are now professionally run by ex-soldiers such as himself, said Steve, 46, who makes his home in Pembroke, Ont., some 150 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.
“They are not running around shooting things for the sake of shooting things,” he said, adding his rules of engagement are similar to those of the Canadian military.
“There is always going to be friendly fire. War is chaos. War is confusing.”
Ottawa has just signed an international protocol governing the use of private security companies in countries like Afghanistan. For former soldiers, the job is both lucrative and a way of utilizing skills learned during a lifetime in the military.
They come from Canada, the U.S., South Africa and several other countries, drawn by the money and adventure.
Earnings run to about US$1,000 a day depending on the job, largely tax-free, and all expenses are paid.
“The money is fantastic,” said Steve, who is married but has no children. The guards themselves earn between US$300 and $600 a month, depending on job and skill level.
Tundra has also moved to match Canadian bases with Canadian security heads – a sensible move, Steve said, given his familiarity with Canadian military system.
For the most part, he said, he and his men try to keep a low profile, which makes moving around Afghanistan without massive military escorts feasible and keeps relationships smooth on the base.
“You’ve got to be a certain type of person to do this,” said Steve, who is in Afghanistan indefinitely but gets one month vacation every four months.
“I actually tried the retirement thing, but I just couldn’t stand it.”
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About Us
Tundra is a Canadian operated International security consulting company that provides risk management and security services to government and corporate agencies around the world. We assist our government and commercial clients in developing integrated solutions to address complex threats to their security. Tundra provides a wide spectrum of operational expertise through uniquely qualified special operations personnel, intelligence professionals and industry leading experts who enable us to provide a wide range of security and intelligence services.
Our consultants are experts in the field of risk management, crisis resolution, protective services and intelligence operations with many years of government, military, foreign service and private industry experience. Our offices and consultants are strategically located around the world so Tundra can physically respond to any enquiry anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
Tundra Strategies is a Canadian operated International Security Consulting company that manages risk by developing and implementing comprehensive security solutions to corporate and government agencies around the world. We specialize in security assessments, protective services, training and intelligence gathering and analysis.
Tundra has extensive experience developing and implementing procedures for assessing risks, to include implementing the measures to mitigate them. Our consultants have operated in a number of countries around the world and can be rapidly deployed to any environment to provide a wide spectrum of security consulting services.
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Compass ISS
ABOUT US
The Compass team has great experience working in the remote site and military segment and we recognize the value of quick response. Our strength is our ability to provide ‘rapid-fire’ project planning and implementation. We have excellent operational knowledge in a wide range of conflict and post-conflict countries and our staff have seen service in war zones and trouble spots all over the world.
Compass employs staff with the highest levels of training, experience and professionalism. We recognise that people are our strength and we strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards for our people at all times.
Compass staff undergo vigorous recruiting and induction processes based on high-end military selection procedures. Training continues throughout an employee’s service with Compass to ensure our operators stay sharp, focused and capable of providing the right response at the right time.
Compass has also established a rigorous training plan specifically designed for Locally Employed Nationals in order to impart tangible skills related to the international security industry in the developing countries in which we work. This training package has been developed specifically to arm local personnel with the knowledge, techniques and qualifications to operate with confidence and skill as security practitioners in the international security arena.
Our Training Programs are a vital component in the provision of a robust security model. Furthermore, these Training Programs contribute to nation-building and will provide a legacy of well-trained and professional local staff who can confidently take their place in the security community. This is arguably one of the more important facets of the Compass operation. We operate professional and robust security solutions in Developing Countries suffering under the burden of economic ruin and high unemployment. We at Compass never miss the opportunity to impart the skills and knowledge that lead to job creation. This is a guiding company principle.
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