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Updated From Kuwait (almost daily, since Jan. '05) ... |
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
A conversation with IT contractor Justin Porto in Iraq
As an information technology contractor in Iraq, Justin Porto endures ambushes and mortar attacks as he works with the country’s government to rebuild its communications and IT infrastructure. An employee of MPRI, a division of L-3 Communications Inc., the retired lieutenant colonel is about six months into a one-year stint under a State Department contract.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
In Afghanistan, trainer sees a different war
In early 2006, Andrew Schmidt, who grew up in southwestern Minnesota, found his police career wanting and his domestic life in turmoil. The divorced father of one desperately needed to get away and take a break somewhere. Some folks might have thought Cancun. Schmidt chose Kabul and a dusty, one-room mud-brick home routinely invaded by camel spiders.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Helping establish police programs in Afghanistan
Working for Dyncorp, John Finn explained the focus of the mission is on the training of new recruits and the mentoring of a police force, whose "officers" are called "soldiers." This includes teaching leadership, staffing procedures, proper arrest procedures, self defense, hand cuffing tactics, and business operations.
Monday, August 6, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Mother says U.S. has forgotten contractor son held in Colombia
Overshadowed by Iraq war, the plight of the hostages — who are low-profile civilian contractors rather than active-duty military personnel — seems to be forgotten in America amid the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which began a month after the three men were taken hostage.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
A contractor's story from Iraq
The reason I took this job in Iraq was denial: Look, I’m still working. I haven’t been relegated to making bird houses in the basement yet. I’ve got a job, how could I be old? Also, I needed the money. So I found perhaps the single employer who would hire a retiree my age (66) at a decent salary: KBR.
Monday, July 30, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Working in war zone with Dyncorp
When Rockey Kummer left his job at the Parker Police Department, he was making about $46,000 a year. For his 12-month hitch over in Afghanistan, he was paid about $130,000. The money was great, but he also wanted to help, he said.
Monday, June 4, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Civilian duty in Iraq filled with danger, more money
Money, intrigue and the chance to make a patriotic contribution in the "war on terrorism" is luring some El Paso police officers and emergency medical technicians into Iraq's combat zones, where they train local security forces and provide medical care to coalition contractors.
Monday, April 9, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Former Security Contractor Jailed Then Lauded For Speaking Out
A year ago, Donald Vance learned what its like to be falsely accused by the US military of aiding terrorists, held without charge for more than three months in a high-security prison in Iraq, and interrogated daily after sleepless nights without legal counsel or even a phone call to his family.
Friday, April 6, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
John Young Held Hostage Since November
The family of a Kansas City man held captive in Iraq is talking publicly about what they're doing to try to save him. Young, 44, and four other Crescent Security contractors have been held hostage for 132 days.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Two KBR truckers return from Iraq disillusioned
Rob Rowe completed 12 years in the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army and trucked for 15 years before serving as a trucker contactor in Iraq. Brian Rolfe had been a trucker 16 years when he signed on a trucker contractor in Iraq as a way to serve his country. Rowe was shot in the knee during a convoy attack and has retained a lawyer to pay for medical treatment and lost wages. Rolfe was shot in the head, but says he was compensated for his medical treatment and lost wages.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
West Knoxville woman builds support for contractors
West Knoxville homemaker Crowder started a Web site and support group for American contractors in the summer of 2005, while living in Johnson City. The Houston native's husband had been an overseas contractor, working in Iraq as well as in other countries, though she said he didn't face a lot of problems after returning home.
Monday, February 5, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
KBR contractor brings soothing voice to Iraq
Hunched over her computer, dressed in baggy overalls and a T-shirt, her blonde hair in a scrunchy, MWR technician Michele Sharpley looks like what she is, a civilian contractor. Then you hear it. The voice.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
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Working Overseas
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Personal Experiences
Contractor honored with Defense of Freedom Medal
Roger Bascom was wounded when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device in the mess hall near the Marez Airfield near Mosul.Brig. Gen. Nick Justice presented Bascom his Defense of Freedom Medal during ceremonies on Tuesday at Fort Lewis.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
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