How to get a job in a warzone.

This is probably this most common question I get. "How do I get in?". This is as complex a question as the people that ask. It depends on your background, length of experience and the conditions on the ground.

For example, right now it is fairly easy to get on at Fluor or KBR in Afghanistan due to it ramping up. In Iraq however it is getting more difficult due to the impending drawdown of military and contractor forces. If you are a skilled indivual holding a license (electrician, engineer, lawyer, architect, medical (doctor, nurse, etc) you will find it much easier. If you have been putting off taking that journeman electrician test, now would be a good time to do so.

One thing that has changed with the economy, is that the companies can be choosier as the amount of resumes has increased. One thing that has not changed is that the job sucks, you will be a long way from home, generally working 80+ hours, 7 days, month in month out. You measure time by how long you have till R&R and dred the flight back. This is hard to explain to folks that haven't experienced it either in military or prior civilian contracting.

It is the hardest thing to get used to, the constant grind of mind-numbing work. Work that you would have an admin or less do at home you do yourself in the warzone. Mainly because the choice of top administrative help is slim due to the conditions. Also because the government or the companies that employ are never staffed to 100%, usually in the 70-80 pct range.

So what do you do? How do you get noticed? Believe me, one you have to be patient. A normal quick response is 2-3 weeks and two you have to be persisent. Keep applying for the same and similar jobs. What happens oftentimes as the flood comes in and they pick the top few for a specific position and then the rest get filed away never to be looked at again. When a new opening comes up, they go to the most recent pool of applicants. If you haven't applied again you won't get picked up. You have to be both patient and persistent, otherwise forget it. One fact is true, they don't care about you, your experience may be the most extensive in your particular field, but when it comes to wartime contracting all are the same, just a number to fill a slot. Keep that in mind and you will do much better.