Feral Jundi

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Cool Stuff: Jake Allen Update–2010 Warrior Pride Ride

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Books: Security Contracting, by Jake Allen

     Hey guys and gals, this is pretty cool. Normally, I am always promoting some book of an author that I don’t know.  In this case, I know the book and the author, and I am really excited to promote both.

    Jake has been working hard on this book over the last year or so in regards to starting and maintaining a career in security contracting. Not to mention doing that, along with all of his work setting up and maintaining Combat Operator and the Private Military Herald. This book is a compilation of information accumulated only from years of experience, from industry information saturation as a writer, and from learning the hard lessons that go along with this industry. If you are looking for a book that is written by a security contractor, for security contractors, then this is it.

     I often wish I had a book like this to help me out in the early days. Like most, I just fumbled along and built my knowledge base from hours of reading bits and pieces at the forums. There are not too many ‘DIY’ manuals for overseas security contracting, and Jake’s book is a great resource for your career.

     For you guys that have websites or online stores, Jake has an affiliate program for this book as well. (which I am a member of)  This is a great way to spread the word on how to get into security contracting, and make a little a coin on the side. It is very easy to sign on with this program, and Jake and the affiliate company will totally help you out in setting your stuff up right. Follow the link below for more information.

     Finally, two dollars from each sale of this book will be going to the Wounded Warrior’s Foundation. I like that, because these guys have provided a lot of help to the wounded and their families in this war, and that is something I can rally around. Check it out and pass it on. –Matt

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Security Contracting

Start and Maintain Your Career in the Private Security Industry

By Jake Allen

Finally the ‘How to…’ ebook you’ve been looking for.

Security Contracting is written by security security contractors and for private security contractors.

Buy and read this ebook if you want to:

-Get an insider’s perspective on what life is like as a private security contractor in a war-zone

-Learn insider tips on how to build a network and find contracts

-Get insider advice on training and skills building

-Learn how to structure and write your resume to get more responses from recruiters

-Get lists and links to PSC sites that are hiring, many of whom are hiring right now for work in places like Iraq and Afghanistan

-Get answers to many of the most Frequently Asked Questions of people trying to enter this expanding industry

-Learn how the business actually works from the inside by an insider who’s personally been there and done it

-Get tips and insight on how to increase your personal and professional network across the industy

-Get a complete list of nearly all of the major Private Military and Security Companies in the industry today

-You get over 70 pages of insight, advice and information!

*****

Contractor Reviews…

“I sincerely wish a book like this existed when I started contracting almost 10 years ago!  Bravo Jake for assembling a guide to this unique career path.”

Martin M, United Kingdom

“This book covers more than just the tactical aspects of the contracting industry.  He talks about everything from contingency and financial planning to how to tailor your CV for maximum exposure.”

Eric H, Chicago, IL

*****

About the Author

Jake Allen served as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps before embarking on a career as a private security contractor.  He has worked extensively throughout Iraq as well as in other hostile and high threat regions.  Jake is known across the private military and security circuit for his strait forward, no-nonsense, assessments of both the capabilities and the limitations of private security companies.  Many of his views on contracting can be found at the popular contracting blog The Combat Operator.  His articles have also appeared on sites such as Feral Jundi, Free Range International and DefenseTech.  Jake has been a guest on numerous radio programs and podcasts and he continuously serves as a source of ‘ground truth’ information for journalists, authors and academics covering or studying the private security sector.  Jake continues to work as a security consultant as well as serving as a contributing editor at-large for the Private Military Herald.  All who have served with Jake in the Marines or who have contracted with him hold him in high regard and can attest to his integrity and professionalism.

*****

$2.00 from each sale of Security Contracting will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

*****

This ebook is made available to you via immediate and direct download following your successful payment.  Security Contracting is an ebook, not a paper book.  It is delivered in digital document Adobe PDF format.   If you do not have Adobe Reader you can get it for free here.

Plimus is the internet’s leading online commerce platform that allows you to pay securely with all major credit and debit cards in your local currency.

Please see Affiliates

To Purchase the book, go here.

Read more about the book here.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Industry Talk: The Difference Between Fault and Responsibility, by Jake Allen

   Excellent post by Jake about the AGNA stuff, and the difference between fault and responsibility. Check it out, and this was also posted at Combat Operator and Private Military Herald. –Matt

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The Difference Between Fault and Responsibility

Sep 16, 2009

By Jake Allen

The more I read about our government in the mainstream media the more I realize how neither one seems to understand the difference between ‘fault’ and ‘responsibility’.  The ArmorGroup fiasco at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is only the latest incident but I will use it here because it is fresh on everyone’s mind and it is particularly illustratrative.

It’s critically important that we separate the terms fault and responsibility. Sometimes a person or an entity is both ‘at fault’ and ‘responsible’ but the two are not synonymous.  In other words there is room for ‘blame’ or ‘fault’ at both ArmorGroup and at the State Department but the ‘responsibility’ for what happened only comes down in one place.

There is little doubt that the antics being conducted primarily by C-shift on the expatriate guard force was nearly 100% the doing of immature and poorly supervised and lead ArmorGroup contractors.  ArmorGroup is ‘at fault’ for hiring these low-end nonprofessionals.

(more…)

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Industry Talk: The Kabul Fiasco and Moving Forward

Filed under: Afghanistan,Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 8:07 AM

   I don’t have much to say, because the acts of these individuals and the lack of leadership at Armour Group and DoS speak volumes. I guess the only thing not being said in this whole deal, is bravo to the whistleblowers for having the courage to do what is right.  That takes guts, to put it all on the line and call out your employer like that. You guys had the courage to do what is right.

   The other thing I want to applaud in this deal, is the outpouring of commentary and passion on the subject by our small community of security contractors and bloggers.  The media and public should take note that we do care about what you think, and that the acts of these few individuals, and the non-action of companies and governments, have disgusted us as well.

     We are also getting tired of being hated, and for those of you looking for the way forward, I highly suggest you develop your own personal plan on how to be the best you can be on your contract.  Your actions, could stop another incident like this.  Your act of outstanding leadership and professionalism, will motivate others, and bring honor and respect upon your crew and this industry.  Use the key elements of Jundism, and get your Kaizen on. –Matt

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Boys Gone Wild!!! The Kabul Edition, by Jake Allen

 

Is It Just Me?, by Eeben Barlow

 

Animal House: The Real Story, by Tim Lynch (This is an outstanding post, because of Tim’s experience at the Embassy)

 

Problems at the U.S. Embassy in A’stan, SOCNET Forum Thread

 

Career SEPPUKU: U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan Fires Lewd Guards, Tactical Forums Thread

 

WSI/Armor Group Afghanistan Embassy, Secure Aspects Forum Thread

 

Drank Vodka Poured Off Each Other’s Exposed Buttocks?, Lightfighter Forum Thread

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Project on Government Oversight

Sep 04, 2009

State Department Rescinds Two Resignations, Revokes Security Clearances

We’ve just received word about some of the ArmorGroup guards who have left the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.  Originally, two guards had resigned before news broke of the misconduct.  We’ve heard from sources on the ground that the State Department has rescinded the pair’s resignations, fired the guards, and revoked their security clearances, meaning they won’t be able to work again as a government contractor in a war zone.  In addition to the other eight dismissals that have been announced, this is a good step towards holding to account those responsible for the misconduct.We are concerned, however, that some of the dismissed contractors were younger guards coerced into the depravity.  So far we’ve seen good, swift action, but we should be careful not to punish those that may have been victimized.

(more…)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Publications: The Private Military Herald

Filed under: Publications — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 6:56 PM

    This is a treat.  Jake Allen has put together a brand new project that I am pretty excited about and it’s called the Private Military Herald. The fun part about this site and all of the other blogs and sites that have been created over the last year, is to see how they evolve and grow. So add one more to this list of fantastic resources for the industry. –Matt

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About

   The Private Military Herald is a web-based news periodical which provides a forum for news, analysis and commentary on the role played by private security and military companies.

    The site has an editorial bias towards the existence of PMCs simply because of the fact that current state based structures and organizations are apparently incapable or unwilling to address the security challenges that exist today.

Link Here

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