What would you do
 

Ok before I get started I know its my life, I have to make my own choices. I'm just wordering what people would do in this situation.
Here is the deal... I'm getting divorced and I have two kids. I have been offered a job with great pay, but its in Iraq. It's for at least two years. The pay is in the six digits, and they pay all your lodging, food, and transportation... plus I don't have to pay any US tax on this money. So, I was just wondering what some of you folks would do.

Nononononononono

No way

Hell no

Hell fuckin no

Have you checked out the news lately? Iraq doesn't exactly seem too ideal at the moment.

I know it must be tempting for you, that is a lot of money and you do have kids to support.

But your kids also need their dad ALIVE.

When would you go? There's not enough money in the world for me to be an American in Iraq right now, but if you could accept the offer now and go over in six months (provided you have the option to back out if things over there don't improve), that might be the way to go.

It would be 3-4 months before I go

Single..no kids...I'd say go. But, as it is, you do have kids. Realistically, the odds of anything "happening" are slim, given the sheer number of civilian contractors over there. Still...the risk is there.

Link to source of figures quoted above

I guess in the end, even if the odds are 1 in 1,000,000 of anything "happening", it really doesn't matter if you're the one in an orange jumpsuit and a guy with a long dull knife is coming at you.

I have seen lots of jobs meeting that description in Iraq.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WORLD TO MAKE ME GO TO THAT PLACE.

You have kids!!!! Don't go!

I was watching the news last nite when they were talking about the beheading of the south korean..and my guy and I were talking about the two civilian americans that had also been killed and we both wondered why in the world ANYONE that was a civilian would go over there right now...

I would really hate to see a fellow tfper's family on the news because their son/father etc was killed. No amount of money in the world can replace you for your kids if god forbid something like that happened to you.

there again you could have a substantial amount of money in the bank after the 2 years, not like you will spend anything out there.

i would have to seriously consider it, but there again i am not personally averse to working / traveling in dangerous locations. it has generally been good to me and allowed me a lifestyle way above my contemporaries.

For your kids sake, I would say no. There is risk, no matter how small. And all the money in the world doesn't make up for not having a dad. Even if you made it out alive, you would still be gone from their lives for an extended period of time. You need to stay local and be there for the kids.

Kids or not, I'd do it.

There's email, phone, video conferencing, it's not like you wouldn't 'see' your kids. If you can get by with out the hugs and kisses and physical contact with them, then I'd do it.

Is there an "out" clause, or are you stuck there. What happens if there's an emergency at home, and you have to get back -- are you signing a contract?

Right around the first gulf war, I spent about 6 months in Saudi Arabia and loved it. Even as a woman there (ok, that whole covering my head thing got really old, and driving around with an armed guard in a bullet proof vehicle got a little creepy) but I loved it - it was a helluva experience.

I'd weigh it against -- Can I do the same thing locally (and get paid close to what you'd make in the litterbox) - as opposed to the experience that you'd get doing the job in Iraq. If it's just for the money - -then I'd probably pass, but if it's adding valuable experience to your resume - then I'd go in a heartbeat.

Re: What would you do
 

1) Punctuation is your friend. This is a written medium, and if you want to be understood, you'll use it.
2) You have to survive to spend the money.

The first thing I think when I see hostages approaching their death-deadline is "well, they went for the money. They knew the risk involved."

I wouldn't consider working in Iraq now or in the forseeable future but I'm not you, you are.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Im still thinking about it. Shanni Faye this is closer to home than you realize it will affect somebody you know a good friend she spends alot of time on your site I think you can figure out who I am

I definitely wouldn't volunteer to go over there if I had kids. If I didn't have kids, I wouldn't go unless I could carry firearms to protect myself.

Or drive a tank to work.

I know someone who's been an Army General (reservist, counterintelligence) for 26 years and wouldn't take the job, just for some perspective.

Making 6 figures for 2 years with no US tax = very valueable

Keeping your head attached to your body = priceless

The math is simple. Do NOT go.

There is no way I would go there. Not if they offered me 6 figures, 7 figures, 8 figures, whatever. I would rather be alive and enjoy my decent wages rather than be burried with a pile of money...

Nope. Nope, nope, nope.

Not only is it VERY risky, and not only would your kids miss you, but think of what would go through their heads everyday.

"Is my dad alive? Has he been captured? Is he being tortured?"

Imagine your kids being deported to Iraq, and what would go through your head each day. Do you really want to do that to them?

Here is my take. I have no kids and am not terribly close to my family. I do however have a loving wonderful fiance' whom I will marry in September so for her sake (and the fact she'd never let me) I wouldn't go. However, if I didn't have the loving girl and say my life was as it was a couple of years ago I would have to at least consider it. Here are some considerations.
The Positives - A lot of tax-free money in relatively short time.
That's pretty much it for positves!
The negatives - Two years in a god-forsaken desert where a lot of the population hate you. No real contact with your children for two years. Desert = HOT HOT HOT, SAND, SAND, SAND! If you are in ANY sort of depression about your current situation being in a hostile country in an adverse environment isn't going to exactly raise your spirits. No social life for two years. (read: no ladies night at the bar!) The possibility of torture leading up to beheading by militant extremists.
Looking at all that it would be very hard for me to go. If you go you've just got to accept the fact that bad things might happen. Ya rolls your dice, you takes your chances.

Yes hon I knew it was you (I wasnt gonna mention it unless you did)....and if she doesnt kick your ass I will come and do it.....Thats why I said I didnt want to read about it affecting a family.

Question...does she know you're thinking about it?

Those kids of yours are great and no matter what has happened in your "family life" they need you around

How many American contractors are in Iraq compared to the 2 Americans who have been beheaded?

I imagine that even though it's significantly more dangerous than, say, some suburb in Colorado, the chances of getting shot or having your head lobbed off are still pretty slim.

6 figures can buy some pretty mean guns. I suggest perusing Tilted Weaponry for a little while and deciding on some form of personal protection if you go over there. These days, cooperation doesn't always have a happy ending.

Yes faye she knows about it she was the first person I told

ok...just wanted to make sure I didnt say the wrong thing at the wrong time...

Rich dead man, and a poor dead man. What do they have in common? Both dead.

You cannot spend your money if you are dead. I know the odds are slim but I would not want to end up being decapitated on TV.

I would SERIOUSLY consider going.

What is the likelyhood of you being beheaded? Or killed? You know how many millions of contractors are in Iraq right now and haven't been killed? I'd say the chances are slim to none. And really, if they're going to capture you and kill you.. it was just your time to go. No one here believes in fate?

Anyways, I'd hesitate a bit because of the kids, but its only 2 years. Two years to make tons of money. Lots of money. It'd be a hell of an experience. When do you get to go to Iraq? I'm sure you'd have tons of security and whatnot.

Its essentially the opportunity of a lifetime. Maybe ask Maleficent about her experiences during the Gulf War. I wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this myself.. but its your choice, sir.

Good luck deciding.

Likelyhood is HIGH. Things are still spinning up over there. When we hand things over, they're going to have a civil war. If you don't absolutely NEED!!!!!!! to be there, it's a great place to stay away from. They're in for "interesting times", in the Chinese sense.

My friend in the Military says it is far from over. They are sending him BACK to Iraq in September. That is how long our goverment intends to keep up this madness.

Don't go unless you are in serious financial trouble. Those are the kind of people who would do something desparate like that. If you are simply doing it to make extra money, it's a bad idea.

since they seem to be targeting civillians i'd take a pass this go round since while i'm adventurous, i'm also prudent. i'd still keep the option open as long as i could if the situation improved.

If I could get a job over there, paying that much. I would. Without a doubt. Some fuck trys to kidnap me, i'll put a bullet in his head. And if I can't, i'll put one in my own.

Meh, odds are you'd be fine, other than a shitload of heat. Six figures? That's a lot of dimp. But I have no fear of death really. I'd do it.

No chance in hell.

I could never do it. I have a hard time spending one week away from my daughter. I couldn't imagine living another country away.

okay, i'm in maleficient's boat, with some restrictions.


first and foremost, research the company that is offering you the job, and find out what kind of security they're providing their employees. find out what kind of protections they do and don't offer, and what assurances they're giving their employees.

secondly, consider the job you're looking at doing. is it something that is going to have you travelling in the open alot, or are you likely to stay within the confines of controlled, protected zones for foreigners?

thirdly, consider some personal motivations. you're recently divorced, but you have kids. this job will give you the opputunity to not only cover some of your bills but also pay for their schooling and make sure your kids' other needs will be covered. communications aren't nonexistant, you'll still be able to speak with them and write to them, so it's not like you'll be out of their lives completely.

you also need to consider your own will to live. in the unlikely even that you and/or your group of co-workers are attacked, how likely are you to fight back? are you going to pick up arms and fight tooth and nail, or are you going to be cowering in a secluded corner or playing dead on the ground in hopes that they won't find you? how willing you are to fight for your own life is going to be one of the biggest determinators of whether you're going to want to take this job or not.

finally, remember, you're in a war zone, regardless of what kind of banners the president has behind him on aircraft carriers. bad things may happen. in the unlikely case of something bad happening, what kind of benefits package your kids will receive?


think these things over. if i wasn't with my fiancee, and i was offered a job over there, i'd probably take it. as it stands, i have too much over here at this point to leave it behind. your situation may be different. make the choice yourself.

Just carry a gun, and be cautious.