Should I go to Iraq?

Post by **Lyndon** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:21 pm

life is far more important then money

tiranova · Post by **tiranova** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 11:20 pm

The money does sound tempting, but I think not

Erm · Post by **Erm** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 4:28 am

Twenty five grand????

where do i sign up

thats a shit load of money tax free

i'd sooooooo go for it

just wear a bullet proof vest and carry an uzi on ya

TheMinel · Post by **TheMinel** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 6:59 pm

bah... risky but that's a free 350Z when you come back! hmmmmmm 350Z....
the thing that would put me off though is.. neverming getting killed, what about injured??? in a wheelchair? paralyzed? have an arm or leg blown off? ... my vote is on NO

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 11:21 am

and you don't need 25K do you? You're loaded!

Well in that case go and give the money to the other (non loaded) forum users!

I'd go myself, but its all up to you. If you decide no then get them to call me!

CB · Post by CB » Sun Aug 31, 2003 9:51 pm

Hey Rob...
Well - guess where I've just got back from (tonight)- been out there for the last week or so. Umm Qasr, Basra and a brief trip into Baghdad and a strip north of Mawsil (Mosul)
My thoughts on your job offer are as follows:

12 hour days, 6 days a week are completely unfeasible, no matter what your location in-theatre. Admittedley I believe you work in I.T. so Air-Con will be standard in your place of work, but this just means it takes you much longer to acclimatise. It is FUCKING hot out there at the minute. I imagine you have little or no background in operating in harsh climates? It would be necessary.

No area I went to recently is remotely secure - admittedley the British side of it is a little better ForcePro wise than the Americans, but they are in more volatile areas (Baghdad and Mawsil) Basra airport is not the "ring of steel" you would expect.

If you were operating further south (Umm Qasr or near the Al Faw peninsula) you would encounter little problem both security related and climate (plus you're on the border)

Don't expect to make many friends amongst the troops - they will know your on a lucrative tax-free contract with a nice bonus at the end. Squaddies don't like civvies in their enviroment at the best of times - let alone those on high wages and bonuses when HM Forces are struggling on just SepAl and the, frankly, laughable "harsh conditions" payment (that The Sun had to fight to get!!) Did you know that the American forces do not pay tax when they're deployed on operations? Or any other Nato members forces come to that. Except the Brits.

I could add a lot more to this debate, but I'm shattered. In summary Rob, although my tiredness may make this read like nonsense - make sure you're doing it for the RIGHT reasons. As you have seen recently, reservists are getting killed out there too...terrorism does not recognise the Geneva Convention, non-combatants or humanitarian organisations. They go for the soft option. Everytime.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do - and who knows? May see you out there dude!!

rob · Post by **rob** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:15 am

the only fun side would be getting to fly on CB Airways

Julia · Post by **Julia** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 12:25 am

Hahaha yeah first class comfort on one of those!
(NOT!)

charlieannear · Post by **charlieannear** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:16 am

12 hour days, 6 days a week are completely unfeasible, no matter what your location in-theatre. Admittedley I believe you work in I.T. so Air-Con will be standard in your place of work, but this just means it takes you much longer to acclimatise. It is f***ING hot out there at the minute. I imagine you have little or no background in operating in harsh climates? It would be necessary.

Very true, jetlag might not exist, but heat exhaustion does!

- make sure you're doing it for the RIGHT reasons. As you have seen recently, reservists are getting killed out there too...terrorism does not recognise the Geneva Convention, non-combatants or humanitarian organisations. They go for the soft option. Everytime.

But also bear in mind that we have several thousand brits out there getting dusty. Serviceman, reservists, civvy contractors, aid and charity workers and mad civvies. Although we have had a number of tragic deaths over the last few months, of full time and part time servicemen, the number is actually small compared to the number of Brits out there. The servicemen that have been killed were in locations/situations that you very, very, very unlikely to be placed in (unless you suddenly have a desire to confiscate weapons from locals or run foot and vehicle patrols through trouble spots, or attempt to disperse a mob by firing into the air). The only civvy killed (as far as I know) was the reporter who was out and about on his own during the actual conflict.

Yes it is dangerous out there, but don't let the scaremongerers put you off. It's also very dangerous here too but are you thinking of becoming a hermit to avoid being in an RTA or getting battered by some drunk on a night out, or stabbed for your mobile phone, or accidentally shot in some driveby shooting, or blown up by a terrorist bomb? I doubt it.

50 of my mates went out there for 6 months and all have come back in one piece, with tans and great stories (although one did play dodgeball with a scud missile!

)

Like CB says make sure you make your decision for the right reasons. For me the prospect of being away from my wife, friends and family (and this forum!) for 6 months is more off-putting, but I would still go if the end result was good.

May see you out there dude!!

And I might see you both!

For a lot less than Â£25k in bonus too!!

Burge · Post by **Burge** » Tue Sep 02, 2003 2:27 pm

My dear departed Grandad use to have a saying:

"There's no pockets in shrouds!" (said with a scottish accent)

and no Rob I won't be sending hubby I'd rather have him here than 25k.

Burge

CB · Post by CB » Wed Sep 03, 2003 2:42 am

Rob, i'd send you a private message but i'm far too drunk. Look at the time.
I'll make this short and in digestible chunks.

Don't go north of Basra.

Stick with the Brits. We're slightly more tolerable to the Iraqis than the Americans.

Make sure you do this for the right reasons. Not for money. Not for adventure. Do it to make a difference.

That is all.

CB

Mr_AWOL · Post by **Mr_AWOL** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 9:46 am

Make sure you do this for the right reasons. Not for money. Not because of women troubles. Not for adventure. Do it to make a difference.

CB

Surely this is some kind of IT job? Not exactly handing out aid parcels? As such, I personally would be there for the money mainly. A little bit for the experience i supose. Everyone says Rob doesnt need the money coz he's loaded anyway

therefore no point going

CB · Post by CB » Wed Sep 03, 2003 2:53 pm

Can I have first refusal on your Puma Rob? Or else you could leave it to me in your will....

rob · Post by **rob** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 11:24 pm

where does everyone get this idea that I am loaded, I am not

I think you must all be confusing me with ROBBIE

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 11:45 pm

now u mention it ............ where is robbie ?

probably at a lamborghini garage or something