A few handy tips before venturing into this wonderful world of logcap and contingency contracting:
1. Get or renew your passport, you'll need this before you even get this process started. It's a hundred or so bucks if you plan ahead, but you aren't going anywhere without it.
2. Keep or otherwise transfer your clearance (worth bucks). If you're in the reserves now would be a good time to get that squared away.
3. Get a family plan, will and power of attorney executed.
4. Make sure you do not have high blood pressure or dental issues. If you do, get them squared away asap. This is critical and could ruin your chances if you have outstanding issues.
5. Buy a large size bug-out bag. Do not travel with a roller suitcase. One, you will be ridiculed as a newbie and 2, it's a pain in the ass when there is nowhere to roll it! Lots of rocks and dirt and the roller bags don't do well on that terrain.
6. Pack ONLY what you can carry. If you are a female don't count on people helping you, it just doesn't happen there. You can always have stuff mailed to you once you are settled. You will have to lug your gear across runways, rough terrain, in/out of helicopters etc all before you get to your first base, so make sure you can carry everything you are bringing. TRAVEL LIGHT!
7. Make sure to bring a carrier unlocked, GSM cell phone with you. You can get these on ebay for about nothing. You can buy sim cards once in country. If you are going to Afghanistan you can buy a sim and minutes at callafhanistan.net . I am not affiliated with them. I have used them a lot and they are reliable and legit. If you are going to Iraq you can buy an Etisalat sim in Dubai, just make sure you get one that can roam in Iraq.
8. If you are travelling light enough bring a laptop with you. Along your way you will have wifi access periodically. The Dubai airport has free wifi, so that is helpful.
9. If you are with KBR / Fluor / Dynacorp on Logcap you will travel with their folks to / from the airport, just follow directions you'll be fine. If you're with a smaller company and going to Afghanistan, make sure to get to DXB about 3 hours minimum before your flight, otherwise you'll get a crappy seat and be behind all of the Logcappers. You'll still get a seat, but it will be middle. If you're going to Iraq and not on LOGCAP then I can't help you, never done non-Logcap in Iraq.
10. A tip for when coming out on R&R from either country. Make sure to print your boarding pass at the hotel. Otherwise you will have to wait until late in the evening (7pm) to check in for the flight. If you checkin online, you can get thru passport control and on your way to the Irish Village pub. :) Otherwise, you'll need to wait with the rest of the sea of humanity to get thru. This will really help things and you'll not be in any lines. It will cost you about $10 in cab fares, in lieu of taking the cattle train, but you'll get there before the heard.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Preparing to go into a warzone. What to expect.
A lot of folks ask me this question, how to get prepared to go to work in a warzone? Will I be dodging bullets? Hearing/feeling rockets and mortars? Will I have to worry about being killed? Quite simply the answer to these questions is actually yes.
Yes? Yep. At any point in your travels throughout Iraq and Afghanistan you are likely to encounter situations where your life could be at risk. There is no other way to sugar coat it or otherwise put a nice spin on it. Anyone that tells you otherwise has never been there. A large base in Baghdad was hit by 14 rockets yesterday. We do not have 'combat' troops in Iraq, how could that be?
So that is the first item to get out of the way. Yes, it's dangerous and yes you could be seriously injured or killed by hostile or friendly forces. If that's not a slap in the face or cold splash of water I don't know what is. You really need to understand that. I have personally seen guys turn right around after landing on the ground and ask to go back because they didn't realize that they would be in places that are hostile on their journey. That is a lot of effort wasted to get that far and bow out! You're talking months of preparation thrown away. For those that have done that, they were told all of this up front, it's dangerous, it's unsafe, you could be killed. They were told this before they even accepted their position. They were told this during training probably more than a dozen times what the conditions were to be like and there was absolutely no guarantee they would be safe. This was a case where the individual was just looking at the money and not truly evaluating the situation.
This is where you have to absolutely evaluate your motivations and truly understand what you are getting into. You cannot gloss over this or you could end up like the guy on the plane suddenly sobering up and realizing what you had gotten yourself into. These are good jobs but not without risk.
Another item to prepare yourself for is there is no drinking over there at all. The only exceptions are if you are stationed with DoS, then you may have some priviledges. Other than that, there is none. That doesn't mean it isn't available, but that will get you a one way ticket home in a hurry. I would recommend that once you reach your processing center to consider not partaking after that. It's just not worth the risk of losing your job, which you will if caught while in the warzone.
Another item to note that is important to remember is that as a military contractor you are also under General Order Number 1A (GO1A). This applies to all military and civilians in the warzone. Just google it and you'll get the jist, but basically it's common sense, no drinking, drugs, porn, etc. If you're caught with any of them you will be prosecuted under the UCMJ and further you could actually be turned over to Iraqi authorities in Iraq under the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) signed by president Bush in early 2009. That could be sticky and not a fun visit, so keep all of this in mind and definitely read GO1A. It's not worth losing your freedom and your job, so plan on keeping your nose clean, squeaky clean.
In addition to those rules, in Iraq you will also need to remember that bringing items out of Iraq there are severe restrictions on cultural and historical Iraqi items. You cannot bring out things you find and some items you may buy in local shops could be restricted. The amount of gold you can travel with is also restricted by Iraq, so beware of this because you could get excess amounts confiscated by Iraqi authorities.
Further, do not assume that if you find a spent shell on the ground that it is ok to pick it up and bring it out of the country. This could be restricted and could land you in trouble with the military and possibly your employer. Some employers also restrict the possession of these items, so be sure to understand their rules. I've heard of people getting fired for possessing spent shells so it's just not worth it at all. Take it seriously, if you find some spent shells or other items of military interest, don't touch them and notify the MPs or BDOC which are located at all bases and they will take care of it. Further, it could injure you in some cases, so again not worth it.
Yes? Yep. At any point in your travels throughout Iraq and Afghanistan you are likely to encounter situations where your life could be at risk. There is no other way to sugar coat it or otherwise put a nice spin on it. Anyone that tells you otherwise has never been there. A large base in Baghdad was hit by 14 rockets yesterday. We do not have 'combat' troops in Iraq, how could that be?
So that is the first item to get out of the way. Yes, it's dangerous and yes you could be seriously injured or killed by hostile or friendly forces. If that's not a slap in the face or cold splash of water I don't know what is. You really need to understand that. I have personally seen guys turn right around after landing on the ground and ask to go back because they didn't realize that they would be in places that are hostile on their journey. That is a lot of effort wasted to get that far and bow out! You're talking months of preparation thrown away. For those that have done that, they were told all of this up front, it's dangerous, it's unsafe, you could be killed. They were told this before they even accepted their position. They were told this during training probably more than a dozen times what the conditions were to be like and there was absolutely no guarantee they would be safe. This was a case where the individual was just looking at the money and not truly evaluating the situation.
This is where you have to absolutely evaluate your motivations and truly understand what you are getting into. You cannot gloss over this or you could end up like the guy on the plane suddenly sobering up and realizing what you had gotten yourself into. These are good jobs but not without risk.
Another item to prepare yourself for is there is no drinking over there at all. The only exceptions are if you are stationed with DoS, then you may have some priviledges. Other than that, there is none. That doesn't mean it isn't available, but that will get you a one way ticket home in a hurry. I would recommend that once you reach your processing center to consider not partaking after that. It's just not worth the risk of losing your job, which you will if caught while in the warzone.
Another item to note that is important to remember is that as a military contractor you are also under General Order Number 1A (GO1A). This applies to all military and civilians in the warzone. Just google it and you'll get the jist, but basically it's common sense, no drinking, drugs, porn, etc. If you're caught with any of them you will be prosecuted under the UCMJ and further you could actually be turned over to Iraqi authorities in Iraq under the Status of Forces Agreement (SoFA) signed by president Bush in early 2009. That could be sticky and not a fun visit, so keep all of this in mind and definitely read GO1A. It's not worth losing your freedom and your job, so plan on keeping your nose clean, squeaky clean.
In addition to those rules, in Iraq you will also need to remember that bringing items out of Iraq there are severe restrictions on cultural and historical Iraqi items. You cannot bring out things you find and some items you may buy in local shops could be restricted. The amount of gold you can travel with is also restricted by Iraq, so beware of this because you could get excess amounts confiscated by Iraqi authorities.
Further, do not assume that if you find a spent shell on the ground that it is ok to pick it up and bring it out of the country. This could be restricted and could land you in trouble with the military and possibly your employer. Some employers also restrict the possession of these items, so be sure to understand their rules. I've heard of people getting fired for possessing spent shells so it's just not worth it at all. Take it seriously, if you find some spent shells or other items of military interest, don't touch them and notify the MPs or BDOC which are located at all bases and they will take care of it. Further, it could injure you in some cases, so again not worth it.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Jumping off into a Warzone Job
So.. You think you want to take on a new adventure? Roll off into the sunset and see the world? Live like a soldier for a while? Do your part for your country? Show your true grit?
All are great ambitions, and frankly most of us veteran warzone contractors have thought some or all of these things. We all have different motivations for going off to do this type of work and really, it's not that important, but certainly knowing your motivations behind doing this work will help you to survive it.
What do I mean by that, well if you're getting into this because maybe your an adventure hound... Well, you could find that in this type of work. Or, you could become incredibly bored because in some places and locations it's 99.9% boredom and safe and you'll probably wash out fast. So, finding the right job in the right location that matches your motivations is very important.
If you're the adventurous type you may want to consider work in the trades doing construction work. These jobs are usually, not always, at locations that are ramping up or tearing down. There will be in locations most likely that will have limited resources, you will live rough, showers may be a luxury, MRE's common.
Or.. if you want to do your part for your country, but aren't that interested in the adventure part you could enlist in the army maybe? Or, possibly you're over the age limit and have say asthma? Still want to do your part? Well, there is a place for you too must likely over there. Possibly you are an accountant.. lots of those jobs in the warzone. You could go work in payroll in Baghdad or in materials in Bagram. Lot's of opportunity.
All of these thoughts are to identify the fact that it is important to try and understand your own motivations for going to the warzone. I'm not knocking or glorifying any of these reasons, all are noble and necessary in this environment, but it's important for your own longevity to understand what your motivations are and match them to the job type as closely as possible.
Another item to understand that I have discussed before is that the programs and projects 'over there' are far larger than any one individual or group of individuals. You will find that you may even make a significant impact while you are there, but when you are gone you will likely not be remembered at all. It's just the way it is. The quicker you can truly understand this the easier things may be on you as you go in and out.
The other thing to remember is, there is no loyalty in this business. We are all a number and you must watch out for yourself. There are lots of companies there, but for most of them you are nothing more than a 'contract employee' at best. Typically you are not even directly employed by the contractor you work for but thru a third party company or subsidiary. That should tell you how they think about you. Again, just the way it is. So with that in mind understand that even though you are probably loyal to those you work with, the company as a whole is not loyal to you. And.. contrary to popular belief even the most senior managers on the largest contract, Logcap are all contract employees with the same benefits as those that work for them and with the same contract mindset.
So, as a whole, take a good inventory of your motivations for this work and you're life will be much easier there. It's very difficult to do this, especially if you've never done this work before and you have nothing to compare it to. Read a lot, read this blog and others on say indeed.com and dangerzonejobs.com that will give you a good bit of info as well.
All are great ambitions, and frankly most of us veteran warzone contractors have thought some or all of these things. We all have different motivations for going off to do this type of work and really, it's not that important, but certainly knowing your motivations behind doing this work will help you to survive it.
What do I mean by that, well if you're getting into this because maybe your an adventure hound... Well, you could find that in this type of work. Or, you could become incredibly bored because in some places and locations it's 99.9% boredom and safe and you'll probably wash out fast. So, finding the right job in the right location that matches your motivations is very important.
If you're the adventurous type you may want to consider work in the trades doing construction work. These jobs are usually, not always, at locations that are ramping up or tearing down. There will be in locations most likely that will have limited resources, you will live rough, showers may be a luxury, MRE's common.
Or.. if you want to do your part for your country, but aren't that interested in the adventure part you could enlist in the army maybe? Or, possibly you're over the age limit and have say asthma? Still want to do your part? Well, there is a place for you too must likely over there. Possibly you are an accountant.. lots of those jobs in the warzone. You could go work in payroll in Baghdad or in materials in Bagram. Lot's of opportunity.
All of these thoughts are to identify the fact that it is important to try and understand your own motivations for going to the warzone. I'm not knocking or glorifying any of these reasons, all are noble and necessary in this environment, but it's important for your own longevity to understand what your motivations are and match them to the job type as closely as possible.
Another item to understand that I have discussed before is that the programs and projects 'over there' are far larger than any one individual or group of individuals. You will find that you may even make a significant impact while you are there, but when you are gone you will likely not be remembered at all. It's just the way it is. The quicker you can truly understand this the easier things may be on you as you go in and out.
The other thing to remember is, there is no loyalty in this business. We are all a number and you must watch out for yourself. There are lots of companies there, but for most of them you are nothing more than a 'contract employee' at best. Typically you are not even directly employed by the contractor you work for but thru a third party company or subsidiary. That should tell you how they think about you. Again, just the way it is. So with that in mind understand that even though you are probably loyal to those you work with, the company as a whole is not loyal to you. And.. contrary to popular belief even the most senior managers on the largest contract, Logcap are all contract employees with the same benefits as those that work for them and with the same contract mindset.
So, as a whole, take a good inventory of your motivations for this work and you're life will be much easier there. It's very difficult to do this, especially if you've never done this work before and you have nothing to compare it to. Read a lot, read this blog and others on say indeed.com and dangerzonejobs.com that will give you a good bit of info as well.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Preparing Your Family
The hardest part of serving in the warzone is to prepare your family. I've already mentioned in a previous post about the absolute need for a will and power of attorney.
The reason I stress the power of attorney is that when you are in the warzone communications can be very difficult to impossible, you don't know when or where you'll be from time to time. Also, the time difference adds additional complexity to the equation. If you are a tradesman out in the field you will likely have very limited computer access and only have phone pool access.
If you are in management or an 'inside job' (accounting, HR, etc) then you will have easy phone and computer access at most locations. If an emergency arises the need for the PoA will become apparent immediately. Need to access money or other resources for family is essential. The PoA can be downloaded for free at many sites. One of which is http://www.expertlaw.com/library/estate_planning/durable_power_of_attorney.html I have no affiliation to them, I used their form which was free and my wife had to use it when communicating with banks, etc on several occasions.
The need for the will is somewhat obvious. You ARE going to be in a warzone. Therfore, the liklihood of you becoming seriously injured or killed increases compared to being at home. You should cover this eventuality by addressing your wishes in the will. Especially if you have children, are a single parent, etc. Again, you can download many of these forms online, and the previous link does have a sample will as well. To bring this into focus I have personally had 3 friends die over there working in both IRaq and Afghanistan. The deaths in Iraq were very recent (2010), so it's still very dangerous there for expats.
You can also pay legalzoom to do these forms for you cheaper than an attorney. I have used them in the past to success.
Further, buy life insurance. The plans offered by KBR and others are expensive. The plan will need to exclude the warzone clause. If you are prior military you can buy these types of policies rather inexpensively from Navy Mutual Aid, ASMBA, etc. You can go online and calculate your life insurance need there. Make sure that you have thought this part out well, it's nice having a piece of mind. It's really not that expensive, should be around 90-150/month for $1mil coverage depending on your physical. Make sure to do this ahead of time as you won't have time prior to leaving to get the physical done if you wait until the offer comes. They do sell these policies from KBR, etc but are expensive as I mentioned. About 2-3 times the price I quoted above.
Lastly, please be sure to prepare your family for the separation as much as possible. Make sure to buy a phone card at the PX as soon as you get there. This will make life easier when you travel between bases. Also, if you are going to work in the trades area then you really need to be sure you do this as you may only have pay phone access depending on where you are located. If you have children, try to break the time up into segments like a special day for when you return for R&R (holiday, birthday, etc). That does help the time go by for them. Just suggestions, but it's difficult nonetheless.
Cellular phone access in Afghanistan is actually better than in Iraq I found (as of mid 2010). Roshan is very affordable in Afghanistan, I found Iraqna to be relatively expensive to call home. I could call home from Afghanistan on my cell phone for about .15/minute which isn't too bad. There are a few topup sites that you will find out there the cheapest I found was callafghanistan.net which eliminates the need to go to the PX to get minutes and they only charge $1-2 over pX prices, well worth it and you can do it from anywhere that has internet.
Regarding internet access.. Again Afghanistan actually wins out with this at most bases, especially if you are with a small company. There are some pX provided services that cost 60-100 / month. At the small FOBs you'll need to rely on your employer. If you're with FLuor the access is actually better at the smaller bases than the larger bases. If you're in Iraq with KBR most of the time you'll have good net access with Skype capability. Skype capability with FLuor in Afghanistan was pretty limited to not available depending on the base.
The reason I stress the power of attorney is that when you are in the warzone communications can be very difficult to impossible, you don't know when or where you'll be from time to time. Also, the time difference adds additional complexity to the equation. If you are a tradesman out in the field you will likely have very limited computer access and only have phone pool access.
If you are in management or an 'inside job' (accounting, HR, etc) then you will have easy phone and computer access at most locations. If an emergency arises the need for the PoA will become apparent immediately. Need to access money or other resources for family is essential. The PoA can be downloaded for free at many sites. One of which is http://www.expertlaw.com/library/estate_planning/durable_power_of_attorney.html I have no affiliation to them, I used their form which was free and my wife had to use it when communicating with banks, etc on several occasions.
The need for the will is somewhat obvious. You ARE going to be in a warzone. Therfore, the liklihood of you becoming seriously injured or killed increases compared to being at home. You should cover this eventuality by addressing your wishes in the will. Especially if you have children, are a single parent, etc. Again, you can download many of these forms online, and the previous link does have a sample will as well. To bring this into focus I have personally had 3 friends die over there working in both IRaq and Afghanistan. The deaths in Iraq were very recent (2010), so it's still very dangerous there for expats.
You can also pay legalzoom to do these forms for you cheaper than an attorney. I have used them in the past to success.
Further, buy life insurance. The plans offered by KBR and others are expensive. The plan will need to exclude the warzone clause. If you are prior military you can buy these types of policies rather inexpensively from Navy Mutual Aid, ASMBA, etc. You can go online and calculate your life insurance need there. Make sure that you have thought this part out well, it's nice having a piece of mind. It's really not that expensive, should be around 90-150/month for $1mil coverage depending on your physical. Make sure to do this ahead of time as you won't have time prior to leaving to get the physical done if you wait until the offer comes. They do sell these policies from KBR, etc but are expensive as I mentioned. About 2-3 times the price I quoted above.
Lastly, please be sure to prepare your family for the separation as much as possible. Make sure to buy a phone card at the PX as soon as you get there. This will make life easier when you travel between bases. Also, if you are going to work in the trades area then you really need to be sure you do this as you may only have pay phone access depending on where you are located. If you have children, try to break the time up into segments like a special day for when you return for R&R (holiday, birthday, etc). That does help the time go by for them. Just suggestions, but it's difficult nonetheless.
Cellular phone access in Afghanistan is actually better than in Iraq I found (as of mid 2010). Roshan is very affordable in Afghanistan, I found Iraqna to be relatively expensive to call home. I could call home from Afghanistan on my cell phone for about .15/minute which isn't too bad. There are a few topup sites that you will find out there the cheapest I found was callafghanistan.net which eliminates the need to go to the PX to get minutes and they only charge $1-2 over pX prices, well worth it and you can do it from anywhere that has internet.
Regarding internet access.. Again Afghanistan actually wins out with this at most bases, especially if you are with a small company. There are some pX provided services that cost 60-100 / month. At the small FOBs you'll need to rely on your employer. If you're with FLuor the access is actually better at the smaller bases than the larger bases. If you're in Iraq with KBR most of the time you'll have good net access with Skype capability. Skype capability with FLuor in Afghanistan was pretty limited to not available depending on the base.
How to get started.
After you get items I previously posted squared away the next thing that I would recommend doing is to get an account at dangerzonejobs.com . I do not have any affiliation with them at all, but their service ($99 lifetime) is well worth the cost. They have the latest news, information and job resources available for those that want to live a little on the edge of life and work in a war zone.
Make sure to update your resume with the latest info. Be sure to include ANY prior military experience you have. This is key and is important especially to the HR recruiters who are sorting thru thousands of resumes. If you have or have ever had a security clearance be sure to highlight that as well.
Make sure to include any valid licenses you may have especially trades, engineering, etc. They are building over 90 FOB's in Afghanistan right now and decommissioning a significant quantity in Iraq so trades are needed. Again, apply to any/all positions that you feel you qualify for. Do this more than once and on a regular basis.
Next, as previously mentioned, make sure you do not have any medical issues such as high blood pressure, dental work needed, etc. This can disqualify you once you go for processing so may as well take care of it now. Otherwise, you could end up disappointing yourself with getting all the way to processing and then potentially have a long (unpaid possibly) wait to get medically cleared.
Also, setup a separate checking account to receive your pay. I would recommend, since for most people this is more money than they ever had or will make, to segregate your money into separate accounts. One for paying bills and the others for savings, paying off debt, etc. The last thing you want is to work your butt off in a war zone and end up in debt! I have seen it with my own eyes, so don't think it can't happen. I would recommend getting with the Dave Ramsey program if this is an issue for you. 52FC2QZ66Z6C
Another question I get asked is "do inside contacts help?" Quite simply yes, but isn't a magic bullet, it's really a matter of luck at the end of the day. Does a position come across at the right time that generally matches your skillset. For example, when I was originally hired on Logcap it was for a position that wasn't even posted, but because of a unique skillset I had I got the notice of the HR recruiters on Logcap. I had no insider contacts at all. The same will likely go for you, it's just a matter of making sure to make your resume stand out.
How do you do that you will certainly be asking yourself right now.. Well a few suggestions as stated previously are adequately describing your military experience, any previous military / civilian warzone work you may have done and highlighting any pertinent clearances you may have (SF85/86). These all will make your resume stand out. I would avoid getting too technical in the resume as the recruiters are non-technical people. I would even recommend using a resume service to help with that.
Make sure to update your resume with the latest info. Be sure to include ANY prior military experience you have. This is key and is important especially to the HR recruiters who are sorting thru thousands of resumes. If you have or have ever had a security clearance be sure to highlight that as well.
Make sure to include any valid licenses you may have especially trades, engineering, etc. They are building over 90 FOB's in Afghanistan right now and decommissioning a significant quantity in Iraq so trades are needed. Again, apply to any/all positions that you feel you qualify for. Do this more than once and on a regular basis.
Next, as previously mentioned, make sure you do not have any medical issues such as high blood pressure, dental work needed, etc. This can disqualify you once you go for processing so may as well take care of it now. Otherwise, you could end up disappointing yourself with getting all the way to processing and then potentially have a long (unpaid possibly) wait to get medically cleared.
Also, setup a separate checking account to receive your pay. I would recommend, since for most people this is more money than they ever had or will make, to segregate your money into separate accounts. One for paying bills and the others for savings, paying off debt, etc. The last thing you want is to work your butt off in a war zone and end up in debt! I have seen it with my own eyes, so don't think it can't happen. I would recommend getting with the Dave Ramsey program if this is an issue for you. 52FC2QZ66Z6C
Another question I get asked is "do inside contacts help?" Quite simply yes, but isn't a magic bullet, it's really a matter of luck at the end of the day. Does a position come across at the right time that generally matches your skillset. For example, when I was originally hired on Logcap it was for a position that wasn't even posted, but because of a unique skillset I had I got the notice of the HR recruiters on Logcap. I had no insider contacts at all. The same will likely go for you, it's just a matter of making sure to make your resume stand out.
How do you do that you will certainly be asking yourself right now.. Well a few suggestions as stated previously are adequately describing your military experience, any previous military / civilian warzone work you may have done and highlighting any pertinent clearances you may have (SF85/86). These all will make your resume stand out. I would avoid getting too technical in the resume as the recruiters are non-technical people. I would even recommend using a resume service to help with that.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
True Grit in the Warzone
I went to see the movie True Grit with Jeff Bridges yesterday. A great flick. I was reminded of some of the experiences I had in the warzone. You may think I'm thinking of witnessing shootouts, soldiers on the battlefield, etc. No, I'm thinking about True Grit, true resolve and the ability to survive and even thrive in a difficult environment.
Sounds great right? Like someone big, rough tough, some guy with 20" biceps and a 400 lb bench press right? Sometimes maybe. More often than not I saw "True Grit" in the most unlikely people. People that you would see walking down the street and wouldn't even give a second thought that they were made of solid titanium on the inside, could survive and thrive in the most difficult environments in the world.
You wouldn't even describe them as adventurous most likely, probably a bit boring. This is one of the true myths of this type of work, and soldiering in general. You don't know who is going to make it just by looking at their physical prowess or talk about what they like to do or could do. It's one of those great mysteries of human nature and that is the ability to reach deep down inside and find a way to go further, do more with nothing left.
So to bring this back to the comparison to the movie without spoiling it. The lead character is not someone you would expect to have True Grit or someone that you would even think of in that way. That is the way it is in the warzone, and you will find in your travels there that the guys that claim to be rough and tough and ability to survive often are the ones that wash out the quickest. Although even that could be proven wrong time and again.
As a manager / leader in that environment I made a point to not make assumptions on what each individual could or would be able to do. You have to assume that they won't make it and plan accordingly because the environment makes quitters out of winners and winners out of 'losers'.
Sounds great right? Like someone big, rough tough, some guy with 20" biceps and a 400 lb bench press right? Sometimes maybe. More often than not I saw "True Grit" in the most unlikely people. People that you would see walking down the street and wouldn't even give a second thought that they were made of solid titanium on the inside, could survive and thrive in the most difficult environments in the world.
You wouldn't even describe them as adventurous most likely, probably a bit boring. This is one of the true myths of this type of work, and soldiering in general. You don't know who is going to make it just by looking at their physical prowess or talk about what they like to do or could do. It's one of those great mysteries of human nature and that is the ability to reach deep down inside and find a way to go further, do more with nothing left.
So to bring this back to the comparison to the movie without spoiling it. The lead character is not someone you would expect to have True Grit or someone that you would even think of in that way. That is the way it is in the warzone, and you will find in your travels there that the guys that claim to be rough and tough and ability to survive often are the ones that wash out the quickest. Although even that could be proven wrong time and again.
As a manager / leader in that environment I made a point to not make assumptions on what each individual could or would be able to do. You have to assume that they won't make it and plan accordingly because the environment makes quitters out of winners and winners out of 'losers'.
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