The Global War on Terrorism has been an ongoing event in current world history for seven years. During that time, thousands of contractors from around the globe have agreed to risk their lives and safety for the opportunity to make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most American contractors who accept jobs in Iraq are paid over $100,000 per year. The incentives are high, but so are the risks.
War Zone Jobs
Depending on the position, a contractor may be doing anything from sitting in front of a computer all day to driving an 18-wheeler around the countryside. The types of jobs and risks involved with each one are almost endless. Jobs performed on military installations are typically much safer than those that require frequent movement on and off bases.
Some Iraq jobs, such as Heavy Truck Driver positions, tend to hold higher risks since nearly all of the work is performed outdoors in temperatures reaching over 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months, and off base where the chances of being injured by a roadside bomb or small arms fire are much greater. Working on a base tends to be less risky, since the majority of concerns revolve around indirect fire attacks, which are instances when insurgents fire mortars and rockets in the general direction of a base in hopes of disabling people and equipment.
Typical Work Schedule
Some contract companies, such as KBR, operate on a work schedule of 12 hours per day, seven days per week. However, others operate on ten hour days or six day work weeks. Contractors working for U.S.-based companies are typically allotted between two and four weeks of vacation time every three to six months. Various travel incentives are usually included such as flight discounts and paid vacation days. Depending on the company, contractors may also receive paid holidays and sick days.
Living Conditions
The weather in the Middle East can be described as very extreme. Temperatures reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months and can drop below freezing with the possibility of snow during the winter. Although much of Iraq is arid, the southern portion near the coast gets very humid. Sand storms plague Iraq mostly during the summer season when it's extremely hot and dry. These storms can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. The systems can create times of very low visibility, making outdoor work more hazardous.
The living arrangements at each base vary almost as much as the weather. In most cases, however, they reflect the military's living arrangements. Some bases offer containerized housing units (CHU) while others assign contractors to a small space in a large tent or B-hut. Basic furniture such as a bed, mattress, night stand, small refrigerator and desk are normally included in each CHU.
Containerized housing units can be "wet" or "dry." "Wet" CHUs are equipped with a bathroom, while "dry" CHUs are not. In the case of a dry CHU, a public bathroom with toilets, sinks and showers is typically within a quarter of a mile from the living area. Tents typically provide the bare essentials such as a top or bottom bunk and a wall locker. Tents are not equipped with utilities, but typically have solid flooring. B-huts are a large semi-permanent alternative to a tent that can house approximately eight occupants, either in separate rooms or in a large open area, and do not include built-in utilities. All forms of living arrangements are climate controlled.
Working Conditions
Working conditions for employees in office settings are very similar to the living conditions and also vary from base to base. Some contractors work in tents, B-hut-like structures, CHUs or large office containers similar to a CHU. Work areas are also climate controlled, especially when computer and electronic equipment is present.
For employees who are continually outdoors, the conditions vary with the environment. Rest periods are required as often as every 15 minutes during extremely hot days and adequate water supplies are necessary at all times.
Amenities
Some bases offer a wide selection of restaurants such as Popeye's, Pizza Hut and Burger King, as well as movie theaters and swimming facilities. Most bases have workout facilities and a Base Exchange (BX) or Post Exchange (PX) which is the military equivalent of a Wal-Mart where soldiers and contractors can purchase anything from underwear to candy bars.
Indirect Fire Attacks
Mortar and rocket attacks occur at all times of the day and night on nearly every military base in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the alarm sounds indicating a mortar or rocket is either entering the base or has already entered the base, standard protocol is for everyone to find a cement bunker to hide under. Bunkers are typically located near all buildings on a base and provide protection from shrapnel. Large bases in Iraq such as Liberty and Joint Base Balad have pre-warning systems which can detect incoming explosive devices, and in some cases have phalanx systems which can detect and shoot explosives out of the sky before they land on a base.
Tax Exclusions on Foreign Earned Income
Overseas contractors may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. Certain criteria must be met, such as remaining outside the United States for at least 330 days in a given year. There is also a cap on the amount of money that can be claimed as tax-exempt each year. Should a contractor meet the requirements, much if not all of his income will be exempt from taxes.
High Risk, High Reward?
When it comes to contracting in a war zone, some feel the risks outweigh the rewards. Others find the work almost addicting and work overseas for years. But regardless of the perspective, one thing remains certain - the risks and rewards are both very real. Given proper thought and consideration, every conclusion will tip the decisive scale one way or the other.
Sources
"Mortar Definition." MilitaryDictionary.com. Accessed September 18, 2010.
" Life at Iraq's Camp Victory." Associated Press, last modified May 3, 2006.
"Shrapnel." Merriam-Webster.com, accessed September 18, 2010.
"Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)." Ratheon Company, accessed September 18, 2010.
"Foreign Earned Income Exclusion - Physical Presence Test." Internal Revenue Service, last modified October 21, 2009.
Virginia Lloyd - Virginia Lloyd has been writing for television and print since 2003. Her television news and feature stories have aired on Studio One, PBS ...
Join the Conversation