Post: #1

During the last couple months, I've now met two people who did IT work in Afghanistan and made "big bucks" doing it. I've heard about these jobs for a long time actually, but I've also wondered exactly how you get them.

Anyone have any ideas on where to start?

One woman told me she made $84,000 in one year and she had no experience in IT.

Post: #2

Why didn't you ask her?

Post: #3

(07-18-2016 12:49 AM)puckerman Wrote:  One woman told me she made $84,000 in one year and she had no experience in IT.

Are you sure it was IT she was doing?

Post: #4

I would guess those are contract jobs that are somehow related to the US efforts in Afghanistan. Of course the remuneration is huge. It's because of the danger factor.

Post: #5

As far as finding similar work, there are numerous defense contractors that hire for these positions, just start with a google search.

Here are some listings for defense contractor DynCorp:

http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/s...&location=

Post: #6

I could get you in touch with recruiters that would take you without hesitation for gigs in Dubai, Kuwait, or Qatar. Those gigs pay 50-60 per hour and they had openings for what you do to. Call me if you want the info.

Post: #7

(07-18-2016 12:49 AM)puckerman Wrote:  During the last couple months, I've now met two people who did IT work in Afghanistan and made "big bucks" doing it. I've heard about these jobs for a long time actually, but I've also wondered exactly how you get them.

Anyone have any ideas on where to start?

One woman told me she made $84,000 in one year and she had no experience in IT.

Like someone else said, you can check defense contractor sites. I thought the jobs has actually become a bit harder to come by though. FWIW she probably made 84k but may have been working for 6-12 months straight with little to nothing to do for recreation.

Post: #8

(07-18-2016 01:10 AM)GlobalMan Wrote:  As far as finding similar work, there are numerous defense contractors that hire for these positions, just start with a google search.

Here are some listings for defense contractor DynCorp:

http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/s...&location=

Here's one:
http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/j...95QWPMD39/

If OP is feeling ambitious: http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/j...MRZ8TRH5S/

Post: #9

I'd try a stint doing contract work in the Middle East if the money is considerably above average. Is there much opportunity for someone with a business degree doing this type of work? Maybe in logistics or purchasing?

(07-23-2016 12:35 PM)jake1720 Wrote:  Here's one:
http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/j...95QWPMD39/

If OP is feeling ambitious: http://www.jobs.net/jobs/dyncorp/en-us/j...MRZ8TRH5S/

I think jobs like these are usually taken by poor South Asians (Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis etc.) Not a bad job by their standards, but in many cases they get screwed in their contracts and make a fraction of what they're told they'd get.

Post: #10

You could check out the Department of Defense Civilian Expeditionary Workforce. If you look at the job categories and go halfway down the list you'll see Information Technology/ Telecommunications.

https://www.apps.cpms.osd.mil/CEW_Applic...Home/Step1

From the website-
Due to the demanding nature of assignments with the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce (CEW), prospective applicants should carefully assess their suitability with respect to medical requirements and other personal/legal issues, including eligibility for a security clearance, job history and experience commensurate with the CEW position description, and ability to handle a job environment with high stress and long (60-80) hours per week.

Note: If serving in Afghanistan, you may be entitled to 35% differential pay for hazardous duty, 35% differential pay for post differential, and significant overtime compensation. These entitlements are above and beyond the base salaries mentioned above.

Example Pay:
For a GS-14, Step 1 serving in Afghanistan. (This does not include overtime, Sunday premium pay, or night differential pay which could increase pay significantly.)

Pay Type (All Pay Is Taxable) Annual
Basic Pay $84,697.00
Rest of United States ( Locality ) $11,993.10
Adjusted Pay ( Basic + Locality ) $96,690.10
Danger Pay ( 35% of Adjusted Pay ) $33,841.53
Post Differential Pay ( 35% of Adjusted Pay ) $33,841.53
TOTAL PAY ( Adjusted + Danger + Post Diff ) $164,373.16

Post: #11

I had a NCO that worked at space command for several years give me the names of several military specific contracting companies that handle everything from mail room service to IT. These companies operate in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and SA from what he told me.

He also recommended using Monster.com's paid resume writer service.

TravelerKai can you PM those company names? I'm wondering if we have similar contacts that way I can verify my sources with better validity.


I would suggest just getting into these companies at any position and level. I've been told they're not as rigid in occupation change as the military itself. I haven't done this because my son is still young and I'm not sure I want to miss out on all that. You'll make at least 5 digits in an entry level job, but you'll spend 3/4 of a year away.

Post: #12

I'm awaiting an offer letter from a contractor. 600 a day. I forget the breakdown but it's 31.50 an hour, 84 hours a week plus haz pay and per diem. 60 days on 60 days off. Breaks down to 36k over two months pre tax. This is in the logistics field though but I can imagine IT has the same deals but just higher hourly wage.

Post: #13

If you have a trade skill, you reach somewhat of a second tier in wages when you contract overseas. If the country is a warzone or on some sort of travel advisory or terror watch list, you may get hazardous duty pay. Not all jobs use the same vacation-to-work set up. You may get an on-off schedule like describes above or work several months straight and then get the rest of the year off.

I'm waiting on a gentleman I know to reach me back for some company names. Half the battle is knowing who and where to apply to. Another thing that will really set you apart from other applicants is having a reference that's worked under a military contracting company before. This probably makes a greater difference than all other factors.

Logistics seems to commonly carry a good pay rate regardless of the company from what I've seen and heard. I'd recommend trying it.

Post: #14

(07-29-2016 03:38 PM)TonySandos Wrote:  If you have a trade skill, you reach somewhat of a second tier in wages when you contract overseas. If the country is a warzone or on some sort of travel advisory or terror watch list, you may get hazardous duty pay. Not all jobs use the same vacation-to-work set up. You may get an on-off schedule like describes above or work several months straight and then get the rest of the year off.

I'm waiting on a gentleman I know to reach me back for some company names. Half the battle is knowing who and where to apply to. Another thing that will really set you apart from other applicants is having a reference that's worked under a military contracting company before. This probably makes a greater difference than all other factors.

Logistics seems to commonly carry a good pay rate regardless of the company from what I've seen and heard. I'd recommend trying it.

Very true. I served with my guy in Iraq, but I've worked with the company before doing the same job. I have a military security clearance but I don't think they looked through that plus I need to clear before I go because mine has expired for the previous contract work.

L-3, KBR, SAIC, and Mantech are really great companies. I've been hit back from just L-3. Mantech and SAIC have never called me despite having the experience, clearance, and being deployed. Companies are hard to get into unless you have a reference. L-3 seems to be the exception. I got a call back while I was overseas applying also.

Post: #15

You can get your clearance renewed through civilian route, but I heard you have to pay for it. It would be worth it since it'll expire at the same rate as a military clearance would.