Anyone been to Iraq recently?

[Falcon_LS]

I've been made a job offer by a firm operating in Iraq, which involves relocating to the northern city of Arbil. Whilst the firm is in the automotive sector, and the pay and benefits are rather tempting, I'm am a bit wary, even though this is in Iraqi Kurdistan.

After doing a bit of research, the northern parts of the country seem safe. I have made arrangements to meet with a friend's contact who is from the area, but I was also wondering if any BITOGers in the Military has been to northern Iraq recently, and what their experiences were like. Thanks!

 

[demarpaint]

A friends son just came back about 2 months ago, he was there for about a year with the Army. I can't write what he said about Iraq I'll get banned. Granted he was not where you are going, but he did say it was a war torn, s-hole. That's about all I can say. Good luck with your choice.

 

[scurvy]

Did the recent Top Gear '3 Wise Men' special start out in Arbil? From what they said the northern parts of Kurdistan were actually quite nice and the people were all lovely. Personally I think they were in more danger in Alabama.

 

[mongo161]

Good luck on your decision.

 

[CourierDriver]

If u have never been in a war torn area,dont go.If u have worn the uniform in other wars, a least u have an idea. If its for the money, dont go. If u have been brought up in the USA and ur biggest adventure is going to a mall , dont go. Bottom line, u have no clue, and maybe no experience in areas like that much less training. PS, who u gonna call when the bombs are falling on ur area, its really not safe anywhere there. I have a nephew that is a ranger over there, dont go.

 

[CivicFan]

While Kurdistan has been relatively peaceful throughout the US invasion, they still have issues between the Arabs and the Kurds.

I had a cousin who went to Iraq to work for a company to supply the Americans. he was quickly kidnapped and held for ransom for about 6 months. Fortunately, he was kidnapped by criminals so he was released safely after the ransom was paid.

Things are different now with the victory of the shias in the civil war and the US withdrawal but it still remains a dangerous place.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
If u have never been in a war torn area,dont go.If u have worn the uniform in other wars, a least u have an idea. If its for the money, dont go. If u have been brought up in the USA and ur biggest adventure is going to a mall , dont go. Bottom line, u have no clue, and maybe no experience in areas like that much less training. PS, who u gonna call when the bombs are falling on ur area, its really not safe anywhere there. I have a nephew that is a ranger over there, dont go.


Of course war is terrible and war torn areas are horrid. It doesn't mean that people don't live and live life. "Matching" with the locals may help. I don't know the OP's ethnicity.

There is a lot to the question, and anyone speaking from a military POV may be skewed. Still, safe is safe.

IMO there are lots of unknowns still to be worked out...

 

[kkreit01]

I had a co-worker, whose (Army) son was in Iraq . He always claimed he was safer there vs. KC (homicide every 3 days). I don't think that was a fair comparison, because in any major city, you can get away from the violence (which is typically a couple of square miles). I still wouldn't want to go. All the $ in the world isn't worth losing your head. Could you take your Merc? That would help make the decision

 

[hattaresguy]

My friend is an officer in the Marine Corps and just came back from the sandbox. Said it sucked, lost a few of his guys, and a few were blown to bits by IED's.

You would have to pay me about $1m to work their for a year and I would want that in an offshore account. Anything less isn't worth the danger.

Also your going to want to look up the rules for contractors being armed. I'd want a pistol on my person at all times and a rifle in the car close at hand.

 

[rjundi]

If you are arab descent I imagine you likely will mostly blend in and go about day to day life.

I think when you stick via uniform, skin color or whatever a different story.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Mr Nice]

Stay the heck out of that country, you are only asking for trouble if you go for a big paycheck.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Stay the heck out of that country, you are only asking for trouble if you go for a big paycheck.




Making 6-figures vs high risk of death...hmmmm.........I'll go with 6-figures!!! Too bad cops in Los Angeles don't make that much.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Popinski


Making 6-figures vs high risk of death...hmmmm.........I'll go with 6-figures!!!

But you've got to think about your family as well. If you get kidnapped for example,, the pressure will be on your family to try to come up with ransom and help get you out. Or if you die, who will take care of the ones that were relying on your salary?

 

[Mr Nice]

Is six figures really that much money to put your life on the line ?

I don't think so.

 

[hattaresguy]

No, money can be made elsewhere.

Plenty of money out their, sadly you only get one life.

 

[Liquid_Turbo]

I'd say go for it.

 

[expat]

I don't know your age or marital status or your reasons for considering the job.
But, if you are young, do you want to look back (in 40 years time) and think what may have happened with your life IF you HAD gone to Iraq?
You WILL learn a lot.
It WILL be of interest on your resume'.
It will be an experience to look back on in your later years.

Do you want to be the guy the 'always played it safe'?
Do you want to be the guy that quotes other peoples opinions?

If you go there and it DOES scare the heck out of you, Run!
When I was in my late teens I had a job offer in Dubai UAE (almost 40 years ago) it was rough and ready, but DID change my perspective on life.
I say -Go for It!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Is six figures really that much money to put your life on the line ?

I don't think so.



I agree. But I think Popinski's point was that cops in LA (and many other places) put their lives on the line for even less than that. And that's certainly true.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Is six figures really that much money to put your life on the line ?

I don't think so.



I agree. But I think Popinski's point was that cops in LA (and many other places) put their lives on the line for even less than that. And that's certainly true.


In my honest opinion, I believe cops in big cities are underpaid.

To the OP, I say go for it. If it's in the safest part of Iraq, I'd so chance it, come back alive, and tell yourself, "I went to Iraq as a civilian."

 

[greenaccord02]

I don't know if I would equate LA to Iraq. Last I heard, the crips and bloods weren't setting off IEDs and carrying around AKs and hand grenades. Also, their objective is to kill each other and not the cops. This is in stark contrast to Iraq.

That's not to say a cop doesn't put his life at risk. Obviously, he does. Just not to the same degree as a contractor in Iraq. Haven't seen many beheaded cops lately, but I've sure seen a few contractors heads roll.