Feral Jundi

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

News: President Obama and the Future of Security Contracting

Filed under: Industry Talk,News — Tags: , — Matt @ 3:01 AM

    Now that Obama is President, what exactly are his views about about the security contracting industry?  I know Obama wants out of Iraq, and soon, but how would he go about it in January of next year?  Will he implement a 16 month draw down, like he promised during his campaign?  And if he does pull the troops out of Iraq in this fashion, how will he deal with the other non-military programs and reconstruction deals going on in Iraq?(read the SIGIR statement below, second story) 

    With that said, here are some interesting stories that give food for thought as to how Obama might view security contractors.  The way I see it, it will be kind of hard for him not to use us for a withdrawal plan in Iraq, unless he wants things messy.   

   Or let’s say he stays the course in Iraq.  And if the SOFA is agreed upon, then it is all systems go and we do a slow, ‘results’ oriented draw down(out by 2011 I believe).  In this case, we will still need guys for the TWISS, GRD, and CMD programs over there, unless Obama is magically able to produce troops to fill the ranks of all positions over there.  I don’t see it. 

   Then there are the troop numbers.  If Obama wants to get rid of us, then he will have to increase troop numbers some how, and dramatically.  Recruiting has not been easy, just to get the guys and gals we have now.  If he wants to get more recruits, then they will probably have to pay higher salaries to attract those youths that voted for Obama in the first place.  I don’t see it personally, because going to Iraq or Afghanistan is not the popular thing with today’s youth. And seeing how the youth vote was Obama’s bread and butter, I just don’t see him trying to sell the military to them.  Maybe not, and we’ll see.

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Monday, November 3, 2008

Training: Security Contractor Fitness-What is the Standard?

     So I wanted to do a little something about Physical Fitness Tests for security contracts.  It’s important stuff, because if you don’t pass these tests, you won’t get the job.  In the Smokejumpers, we called it “running for your job” every year.  And for those of you who were in organizations that required yearly or even quarterly PFT’s, you know how much of a pain in the ass they can be.  So it is important to keep up with your fitness.

   Now with security contracting, you have the same thing, but with a different twist.  You never know who you are going to get a job with, and the standards are always different from company to company. Or sometimes the company implements a PFT out of the blue, do to some new policy that came down the pipe.  So being ready for the various PFT’s out there can be kind of a challenge.

   The best thing to do, is to train to a level that would satisfy any PFT from any company.  And this is what I have attempted to do with the information below.  This is not a complete list of companies by any measure, nor is it particularly current.  But what this does, is give you an idea of what is expected out there over the last couple of years. And as a disclaimer, you need to develop your own plan based on your own research and talking with the companies.  I don’t want to give the impression that if you train to my standards below, that it applies to you.  There are too many factors(age, body weight, etc., location) and all I am attempting here is to show you my methodology.

   From the information below, we can start to see some patterns in what is expected.  What I will do is list those standards for each type of exercise, based on the most stringent requirements of the grouping below. Also, you should keep in mind the location of the PT test’s.  If you have to do a test up in the mountains, and your not ready for that elevation, then that can be a problem.  The SOC test is like that.  Or running body armor on can be a challenge, if you haven’t done that in awhile.

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Friday, October 31, 2008

Jobs: Security Specialist/PSD/CP, Southern Iraq

Filed under: Iraq,Jobs — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 11:51 PM

salary : £3,000 to £4,500 per month
location : Iraq
job term :Temporary or Contract/Full-time
reference : js/cca/psd
contact : Conor O’Callghan
posted on : 29/10/08 at 16:40
deadline :17/11/2008
CP /PSD/Security Specialists – Fixed installation – S.Iraq
We are currently looking for 4 PSD/CPO’s specialists to work on a oil camp in Southern Iraq in support of seismic exploration in a remote area of Southern Iraq.
Would be in the field protecting expats (primarily Canadian) and equipment. Typically 8-10 hour field days, best in class camp and Western DFAC, internet, laundry service, the works. Leave schedule 6 and 2 although would prefer 8 and 2. No clearances needed
Responsibilities will include; Close Protection duties in hostile environments and arduous conditions, removal of threats, embarrassment and harassment. Health and safety. Personal Protection Officer to senior personnel , client facilitation, reconnaissance, map reading, advance usage of specialist communications devices, tactical driving), loss prevention, medical, specialist weapons and tactics usage and implementation. Client protocol, intelligence gathering and implementation, disaster management and prevention, conflict resolution, briefings and report writing.

Industry Talk: The Institute of Protection Specialists and Security Contractors

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , — Matt @ 7:24 PM

     I am not a member of IPSSC, but these guys offer a cool little resource for the industry for a nice price.  Check out the website, and you can get a feel for the types of services they offer.  These guys are just one more resource for our community, and that is a good thing.  –Head Jundi

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Welcome to the IPSSC Members Web Portal & Information Center

This site is primarily reserved for members of the IPSSC member community and serves as a networking resource and information exchange. Full access to this site requires registration and membership to IPSSC.  

So what is the IPSSC?

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Saturday, October 25, 2008

Maritime Security: HollowPoint Protective Services Enters the Game

     I have never heard of these guys, and the website gives me the impression that it is one of those companies that are trying to compete with the big dogs in the industry.  I will not endorse this group, but I did want to put out there what the company was doing and what the CEO had to say.  I hope he does secure work over there, but I have to say that they are competing with some pretty big companies right now for the same kinds of services.  We’ll see, and if any of the readership has anything more to add about this company, feel free to make a comment. –Head Jundi

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“SHIPS NEED ARMED GUARDS,” SAYS SECURITY FIRM CHIEF

Monday, 20 October 2008

 

THE CEO of a US-based private security company providing armed protection to merchant ships has hit out at the widespread opposition to the practice within the shipping industry and from maritime administrations. And he claims that pirates and others intent on attacking ships know which flags allow armed guards and factor that into their targeting.

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