Feral Jundi

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Medical: Swine Flu–Reports in Iraq, Swine Flu Vaccination Campaign in the US

Filed under: Iraq,Medical — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 1:18 AM

   Interesting.  Notice the massive preparations the US is taking on, compared to some countries who do not have the resources or healthcare system to deal with this.  Will this become a problem this winter, who knows, but definitely keep tabs on this stuff.  Especially if you are working in those at risk countries. Although, it’s not like there aren’t enough things to worry about in these places, like bullets or IED’s or whatever. –Matt

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Iraq health ministry confirms 4 cases of swine flu among Iraqi students returning from US

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 1 day ago

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s health ministry says four students returning to Baghdad from the U.S. have been diagnosed with swine flu.

Ministry spokesman, Dr. Ihssan Jaafar Ahmed, said Friday that the students have been quarantined at a hospital south of Baghdad. He says eight other students are under observation.

Ahmed says the youths had just returned to Iraq from the U.S. where they were invited to study.

The health ministry says there are now 52 confirmed cases of swine flu in Iraq.

Story here.

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Publications: GAO-09-351 Summary–Background Screenings and Other Standards for PSC’s

Filed under: Industry Talk,Publications — Tags: , , , , , — Matt @ 11:31 PM

   This is great, because it is a metrics for how the DoD is doing in regards to fixing this stuff and addressing each of these areas.  So it would be cool to check on this report in the future to see how far along the DoD has come.  But going back to leadership, someone needs to motivate the DoD to make this happen, and that someone should be Secretary of Defense Gates.

   Personally, I think he needs to make an official statement that recognizes the legitimacy and the good work of security contractors in this war, then crack the whip to insure these recommendations become ‘implemented’.  I say legitimacy, because that would shut up those freaks out there, who still contend that we are a bunch of blood thirsty mercenaries that care only about money.  I also mention good work, because despite the few incidents in which have been negative, there have been hundreds of contracts that have helped out tremendously.  The CMC projects come to mind, and that program removed tons of munitions off the battlefields in Iraq, thus resulting in less munitions being used by the enemy. Or the thousands of missions contractors have performed, protecting convoys or personnel with their lives, and sometimes losing their life. –Matt

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Contingency Contract Management: DOD Needs to Develop and Finalize Background Screening and Other Standards for Private Security Contractors

GAO-09-351 July 31, 2009

Highlights Page (PDF)

Full Report (PDF, 50 pages)

Recommendations (HTML)

Summary

Currently in Iraq, there are thousands of private security contractor (PSC) personnel supporting DOD and State, many of whom are foreign nationals. Congressional concerns about the selection, training, equipping, and conduct of personnel performing private security functions in Iraq are reflected in a provision in the fiscal year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that directs DOD to develop guidance on PSCs. This report examines the extent (1) that DOD and State have developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure that the backgrounds of PSC employees have been screened and (2) that DOD has developed guidance to implement the provisions of the NDAA and (3) that DOD and State have addressed measures on other issues related to PSC employees in Iraq. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed DOD and State guidance, policies, and contract oversight documentation and interviewed agency and private security industry officials.

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Friday, July 31, 2009

Industry Talk: DoD Lacks Standards for Hiring Foreign Nationals, GAO Says

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:41 PM

Defense was ordered to establish departmentwide standards under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 but has been hindered by bureaucratic wrangling and a lack of leadership, GAO said in a report released July 31. 

   As you have seen, I like to put the best quotes that summarizes the story, front and center.  And the two key points are bureaucratic wrangling and a lack of leadership.  Ding, ding, ding, and the GAO wins a prize!!!

   If you have been a FJ reader for a bit, you would know that leadership is a big thing here.  It is one of the dominant themes of Jundism as well, and I am glad to see that the GAO is willing to call it like it is.

     This is a total lack of leadership, plain and simple. And what kills me with this, is that they are now just talking about standards for LNs.  How many thousands of LN’s have we hired for this war, and yet no standard background check or skills assessment?  That we have depended upon the companies to pick and choose, and apply whatever standard they think is acceptable?

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Jobs: Aerial Gunner, Rotary Wing (UH1-HII)

Filed under: Afghanistan,Cool Stuff,Jobs — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Matt @ 1:26 AM

   Cool gig, and I hope some lucky FJ reader gets it.  By the way, please do not send me a resume/CV for this, because I am not the point of contact or recruiter.  I find this stuff, and post it for the job seekers out there as a nice little benefit of the blog only.  If I ever do recruit for a company, I will let you guys know, and you can send me resumes until the cows come home.

    Also, please refrain from posting a resume in the comments section, because I will just delete it.  That is for your guy’s protection and I just don’t understand why folks do that.  If you have a question, and I have stated that I am a point of contact for the job in the post, then contact me via emails.  Other than that, happy job hunting guys and gals. –Matt

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Aerial Gunner, Rotary Wing (UH1-HII)

Job ID: 2009-118A

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Category: Security

Position Type: Contract

Contract Name: International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL)

Contract Length: 1 Year With an Option to Renew

Salary: Competitive Salary (DOE/DOQ)

Security Clearance: Secret

Status (definition): Vacant

Company Description

Global Platform Support Solutions

Position Description

Principle Responsibilities:

Perform duties as an aerial gunner on helicopter missions flown in support of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and the ground eradication effort in Afghanistan. Individual will perform all other duties as directed.

Education Required:

High School diploma required.

Experience Required:

Military crewmember with experience and knowledge of helicopter mounted weapons systems and their employment in a high-threat environment. Combat experience is desired. Weapons training and previous exposure to operations in Afghanistan is desired.

Special Knowledge/ Skills Required:

Experience on the GAU-17 mini-gun and M240 or similar crew served weapon desired.

Prior military experience as a helicopter crew chief and gunner desired.

Knowledge of U.S. Military aircrew training programs desired.

Experience as a UH-1H crew chief or gunner is desired.

Experience as a non-rated crewmember instructor is desired.

Must complete and pass a Class III Flying Duty Medical Examination.

Must successfully complete weapons qualification (M-4, M-9, M240, and Minigun/Gau-17), security training,

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Afghanistan: The Taliban Release a Copy of Their ‘Code of Conduct’ Rule Book

Filed under: Publications — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 1:26 PM

   I found this at Jarret Brachman’s blog, which he got from Al Jazeera English.  If you follow the link below, he has some more stuff on these rules. It looks like the Taliban command is trying to get organized, or at least give the impression of getting organized. –Matt

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Code of conduct for Taliban

“From the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [Mullah Omar] Layeha (rulebook) to the Mujahideen.

Rules for mujahideen. Each mujahid is obliged to obey the following rules:

1. A person with responsibility (only commanders) is allowed to give an invitation to those Afghans who are supporting infidels to join the way of the true Islam

2. To those who leave the infidels we will grant security for him and his property. But if he has some personal dispute, or somebody has some claim against him, he has to face our judiciary system.

3. Each mujahideen who is in contact with supporters of the current regime and who invites them to join the true Islam has to inform his commander.

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