That’s right, Jundism. Pretty cool huh? Check out the pages section labeled ‘Jundism’ to the right, and you will see what I am talking about. These are just my thoughts on business, leadership, contracting, etc. and the list will probably grow over time. Or not, and maybe it will become more boiled down and refined? Jundism is constantly evolving, and certainly a work in progress, much like Boyd promoted with his ideas. Although unlike Boyd, I plan on keeping a record here on FJ. I am also taking suggestions, because for some of the readers, you probably see a pattern in philosophy here that I might not be seeing. –Matt
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Job Tips: Eleven General Orders for Marine Sentries…And for Contractors
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.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Job Tips: Disaster Response Security Work and Cohort International
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.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Somalia: Just a Glimmer of Hope, Economist
Some suggest extending the mandate of the AU’s present embattled force of Ugandans and Burundians for another year. The AU troops could perhaps be bolstered by private security firms to let UN offices and foreign embassies be re-established in Somalia, helping Mr Ahmed get a grip on Mogadishu. At the least, the airport should be secured. The UN’s special envoy, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, a former foreign minister of Mauritania, says he is determined to move his office from Nairobi. “Why [is there a green zone] in Baghdad and Kabul but not in Mogadishu?”, he asks plaintively.
This was taken out of the very last section of this article, as a possible solution to help this newest Somali president. The idea is very interesting, and it is nice to see the Economist even include PSC’s in the discussion about possible solutions. As far as this being a good idea, I don’t know. The big problem I see with this, is the strategic implications. PSC’s must be viewed as plausible solutions, and not money hungry mercenaries. So however they are used, it must totally be geared towards Ahmed’s country wide strategy, and countering the Shabab.
The Shabab will totally use the presence of foreigners, much like they did with Ethiopia troops, as a tool to justify Shabab ‘Taliban-like’ rule in Somalia. So however PSC’s are used, they must be viewed as the protector of the people and a temporary tool of the government–but they must also deliver on the goods and quickly. There must also be a proper PR campaign implemented, and it should be included in the contract, before any insertion of PSC’s or PMC’s. And once on the ground, it will be a total battle for the hearts and minds of the people, along with being effective in protecting the people and the legitimately elected government. It can happen, and Executive Outcomes was able to do just that in Angola and Sierra Leone, and Somalia could benefit from a similar effort. Things to think about. –Matt
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Somalia’s civil war
Just a glimmer of hope
Feb 26th 2009 | NAIROBI
From The Economist print edition
After 18 years of strife, there is a small chance that a new Somali president and a new American one could make a fresh start.
THE most smashed-up country in the world has reached a crossroads. The recent election of a moderate Islamist, Sharif Ahmed (pictured above), as Somalia’s new president may offer the best chance of peace in the country for more than a decade. As head of the Islamic Courts Union that held sway over a chunk of Somalia in 2006, he was later driven into exile by invading Ethiopian troops backed by America. So it was quite a turnaround when, on his first day in office a few weeks ago, this courteous former geography teacher went to Ethiopia and got a standing ovation from heads of state in its capital, Addis Ababa, at an African Union (AU) jamboree.
Industry Talk: White House Press Release–Memorandum on Government Contracting
So do companies that contract with the government, get a bail out too? Or are they too ‘evil’ and ‘wasteful’ to get that kind of hand out? lol (sorry, I had to say it)
Seriously. This is interesting, and we’ll see if the necessary changes happen, to make contracting a more efficient and well managed process. I applaud the effort and I would like to emphasize that this is not an ending of contractor use, but a critical look at how the government does business. The true test of this effort, will be the end result out in the field and actual money saved.
Will the government do the necessary things to implement and manage these contracts out there, or will it all be more talk as usual? Will they put enough staff and manpower in place to manage this stuff? I am sure they will save money with this new framework, but will they truly get involved with watching these contracts out there, to insure people don’t get hurt or killed? Will these new measures, insure that another soldier doesn’t get electrocuted in a shower, or that another Custer Battles doesn’t come on to the scene? Only time will tell.
Also, is the government truly interested in contracting “non-inherently governmental activities that can be provided commercially” that “are subject to the forces of competition”? Or will this turn into a knee jerk reaction by the government that hinders those forces of free market competition? Plus, I will be really interested to hear what the government’s definition of ‘inherently governmental activities’ is? There is a war going on, so choose wisely….please. –Matt
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 4, 2009
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Subject: Government Contracting
The Federal Government has an overriding obligation to American taxpayers. It should perform its functions efficiently and effectively while ensuring that its actions result in the best value for the taxpayers.
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