New To the Game

[trancemynd]

Hello all, as my title suggests, im new to the game like a few others and im also looking to go overseas..thing is, im out in California currenlty, but ive done some time in the us army (Information Technology), and got an Associate of Sci also in Info Tech, but it focuses primarily on computer networks and still have some time on my security clearance.

Ive applied electronically to ITT, KBR, CSA and a friend of mine i think got hired on to URSAsia i believe...

Anyway, people are talking about recruiters, im not on the east coast or texas, how do i contact them? And the websites dont really have names for recruiters or to even contact them.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Oh and like most others, im ready to go yesterday, altho i dont have my passport, but im not sure if it will even be worth me getting if i dont get any offers.

Thanks again.

[Javabear]

www.kbrjobs.com lists where and when they are having job fairs and what the open positions are. You can also apply online there. I highly recommend going with anyone other than KBR though. If you do go with KBR, don't worry about your passport. They will get you one when you do in-processing in Houston.

[trancemynd]

What is so bad about KBR?

[Brian50]

I'm a newbie here also and I don't even know if I am posting in the right place or not, so please excuse me. My question involves medications. I am applying for KBR as they were interested in me once in the past. I could not follow up on the inquiry then because of personal obligations. Now, I can do it. However, my difficulty is concerning prescription drugs.

First, let me make something perfectly clear..I am no "junkie"..far from it. But, I take certain prescribed medications and must keep taking them. For example, I take Tri Cor to keep my trigycerides down. The heart is ok, but the doctor was concerned about triglicyrides and my being a bit overweight. I now have lost a lot of weight, and expect that my trygliceride problem is better as a result, as I do physical exercise as well. At 55 I am not in bad shape for a guy my age.

The other medication I have taken now for several years is stictly for my back spasms, which is not serious at all..but comes and goes at times. The Dr. prescribed Only 5 Mgs. of Valium (usually it's the generic form which is called Diazapam). I have to take 1 tablet a day, and usually at night. It doesn't phase me in the least, and I never have exceeded my dosage. However, it states at KBR that you have to tell all the medications you take, and from what I have been reading it is alarming how many people misuses this medication (more like a recreation drug for them or something..and certainly more than 5 mgs. per day.). My concerns are, will KBR consider this medication to be in the category of "psyciatric" drugs (because another use for it I have been told is for anxiety)?

Because if that is the case, I will be eliminated from employmwnt consideration right off the bat I fear. Another thing that bothers me is that I have to get 6 months supply of the Tri Cor and Valium/Diazapam before I go to Iraq. Will they even allow that with Valium or it's generic name Diazapam? I mean from what I read many people are misusing this medication in the middle east for anxiety or whatever. Will I also have a hassle at the airports? I have the doctor's statement and a letter stating why I use it (occasional minor back pains and spasm). The last thing that concerns me is the drug test. Wil they eliminate me automatically if the detect that medication..or even Tri Cor (it's for triglycerides and cholesterol again) in my system? I'm sure they must test for those medications also besides the bad drugs, etc. Does anyone have an idea what I should do? Do I "detox" from valium (I mean this is crazy..I only take 5 mgs a day and sometimes I don't even take that, although I am supposed to take 1 a day, and not less or more as this prevents problems in my lower back area actually)? If I have to stop taking taking that medication, what can I do as that works the best for my lower back? I mean these are the questions..and I'm not happy about all of it. I have instantly stopped Valium/Diazapam before for months..I am not "hooked" on that med at all..but the spasms came back and some pain. When I started taking the med again, it eliminated occurences of that. Anyone with suggestions? I would really appreciate it.

[Javabear]

First off I would suggest trying with anyone other than KBR. KBR sucks for more reasons than I feel like typing at the moment.

Second, talk to the recruiter with whatever company you go with. The recruiter will be able to check it all out for you. After the last 3 years the recruiters have heard just about everything so don't worry about it.

Third, if you've lost a lot of weight, have your doc check to see if you still need the triglyceride meds. One less prescription to deal with.

Fourth, the drug test will show valium, but if you have a presciption it should be no problem.

[Javabear]

What is so bad about KBR?

Most of the other contractors here in Iraq pay much better then KBR. KBR pays 55% uplift on your base for the first 40 hours worked. We work 84 hours per week. Many other companies pay 60% uplift on ALL hours worked.

KBR only pays $860.00 towards your r&r plane ticket and 80 hours pay at 0 uplift. Other companies pay the full plane ticket and your full salary including uplift while you are on r&r.

People say KBR stands for Kinfolk, Brothers-in-law, and Relatives. There is a reason for that and yes it's true. As a matter of fact, if you are personal friends with or a relative of any of the project managers you might want to go with KBR.

KBR hires people that are unqualified for their positions. I got here because they needed a warm body and I needed the money. Nevermind the fact that I had never done what I was hired to do before.

I could go on but my fingers are getting tired and I think you get my point.

[trancemynd]

ah i understand. and thats really really too bad that companies do that. So any qualified person would more than likely be a "threat to job security" than help.

My course now is to try and find a recruiter (not really high on KBR anyway after doing some other research) and that alone is proving somewhat difficult. Ill have to scour websites and call whatever links i may find.

[jamesintheworld]

You can try www.civiliancontractorjobs.com they have a list with all civilian contractors and there contact information and some other resources for people looking for a job overseas with a contractor. Its pretty cool and its free

[trancemynd]

thanks for the link. Hopefully good stuff will come up!

[MI$TER DINAR]

Just wondered why Javabear has such bad thoughts about working for KBR. If they are that bad,why is working for them. They are like all companies. There are good days and not such good days. Overall I dont have any problems working at KBR. If i did I would work for somebody else. Not stay and complain about it. Just wondered if its that bad for him. Why is he with them ?

[rwolder]

What are some of the other contractors that pay better? Is there a protection with the US military like KBR is supposed to have?

[baghdad_issues]

Just wondered why Javabear has such bad thoughts about working for KBR. If they are that bad,why is working for them. They are like all companies. There are good days and not such good days. Overall I dont have any problems working at KBR. If i did I would work for somebody else. Not stay and complain about it. Just wondered if its that bad for him. Why is he with them ?

A few weeks late on this, I know...but the answer to that is fairly easy. #1 He needs the money--which it's highly unlikely he'll ever have the chance of making again....and #2, most other companies out here won't hire KBR people.

I've tried switching for a hair over 2 years now--even had some interviews for positions I was supremely qualified for. Oh, its happened before--but those cases are rare. And those were only people who had the rare opportunity to network around.

Amongst contracting companies out here--KBR has a well deserved reputation for hiring and promoting unqualified people. The disgruntled in our ranks are almost exclusivly composed of qualified personnel that are powerless to advance.

Working for KBR isn't hard--its not back breaking or degrading, (well, not most of it). The biggest issue is that they treat their employees like convict children at rehab/boot camp. like trash. Java was right on the money about the 'good ole boy' system. Worse still is the 'who screwed who' issue---I know, I know...I'm reading like a jealous bitter person. But those 2 items have completely wiped out any standards for excellent work rewards....to include promotions, job vacancies, and even the quality of living container you recieve.

Here's one of the little ones that are just asanine....On the KBR camp in the IZ, we have our own DFAC (chow hall) on the camp--its pretty small and somehow has a reputation of having better food than the clients DFAC we run next door at the palace (quite the opposite for the last year).

Any way--we're not allowed to wear shorts in there. At all, regardless of the time of day or being on shift or not. However, the clients walk in there in bathing suits, speedos, tanktops, sandals...you name it.

The point is that thats where we live. It's on our compound--the crappiest compound around---and we are required to wear full work-ready clothing before we're allowed to even step foot in there. Hell, even the military comes in there in shorts and sandels!

Thats only one. There are tons of little "because I said so" rules that are wholly unecessarry and some are even counterproductive. Telling a grown person what to do on their time off.

Again--the works not hard...you just have to get used to waking up every day knowing you'll be in a foud mood within the hour. KBR is also the lowest paid out here except for that one pissant DynCorp contract for badging. Most other companies give days off--not KBR---7 days a week 12 hours a day---84 hours on the time sheet each week.

Am I disgruntled? Yea...but I also used that same system to slide over to a better position where I can stay under the radar and better pay.

[areweryt]

Let me just say that I have been on both sides of the coin with KBR. I was on the low end as a truck driver hauling fuel around that country for seven months and the high end in Security as a tech for eleven months. Having said that and all you KBR people who had issue with the Security guys our jobs were not the best in the world but they did have there advantages. We did not get messed with but as a driver we were not treated very well. So if you can hack the heat and the ocassonal boom and keep your mouth shut and eyes open than all the companies are pretty much the same. Keep your eyes on the prize, the cash deposit every two weeks or every month. My point is if you can get the work then do it, you will never forget it as long as you live.

[edsrange]

:) Give Anteon.com a try...............for IT. We will soon be a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Give me a private message if you want a specific email address of my Project Manager.