Early Stages: First, what you may come across online is probably dated material - from 2004 - 2006. During the early stages of the mobilization, there was a large scale effort to get anyone and everyone on the ground these contractors could get to sign up. That effort was complicated by extremely high turnover, ranging up to 80% on six months in country relative to a one year contract. In large part, this was owing to inadequate company policies and training of lead personnel (supervisors, managers and human resources staff) which started to correct in the latter parts of 2005 and into 2006. Most of the companies in Iraq have made significant improvements since 2005 on all standards of analysis - work conditions, equipment, safety program, quality of living, effectiveness of human resources, trained management, etc. So, if what you are reading is pre-2006, understand that conditions have improved, at least relative to 2004 and 2005.

Casualties:A lot of things in Iraq are very relative depending upon the camp to which you are assigned. While we hear a lot about military casualties, we don't hear much about civilian casualties. Civilian fatalities have topped over 1,300 since 2003, but there are no good counts on the number of civilian injuries requiring demobilization (i.e. going back home). For every injury, regardless how minor, all of the same forms required by employers in the United States are completed - but apparently, these records are not tracked very well. Point to consider in all of this is that your most likely insurer is AIG - which you probably know about from the news over the past six months. Just keep that in mind. The number of insurgent attacks have dropped significantly since 2005, to be certain. They still happen. Safety accidents still happen, too. One of the most tragic events I learned of in Iraq was a bus full of contractors getting hit by a water tanker. Our camps in 2004-5 were hit regularly with mortar shells and rockets, and in a few cases by suicide bombers. Safer now, but that is a relative statement.

Pre-Deployment Briefing & PPE:During in-processing through Houston, you will go through a pretty good orientation program. You will be issued personal protective equipment (PPE) including a full NBC suit, a bulletproof vest and a kevlar helmet. You will also be trained in putting the NBC suit on - though odds are you will never need to use it. In 2004-5, our bulletproof vests consisted of a blue vest with two large, heavy SAPI plates - a good 20 pounds worth, and if you are big, they'll be larger and heavier. When you get to your camp, you will be advised of the policy for wearing your PPE at work and for movement throughout the camp relative to the threat level. This varies from camp to camp and can change from day to day. As of 2009, the threat level is probably much lower than it was a few years ago - nevertheless Iraq is still a far cry from being a good, safe work environment.

Another thing that you will hear is what to do if you hear an explosion:

1. Immediately drop to the ground.
2. If close to your PPE, put it on, while
3. Making your way as safely as possible to the closest hard cover/bunker.
4. Get your presence and accountability to your supervisor.

Baghdad Int'l Airport: While at your camp, you are in a relatively safe environment. The military keeps a pretty good perimeter and have a great eye on just about everything. You are most exposed when in transit between Victory North (Baghdad) and the Baghdad International Airport. Pre-2006, there were a number of bomb attacks on civilian contractor buses en route between these two relatively secure locations. You are at additional threat in transit between these two locations as you have to check in your PPE prior to going on LWOP, Leave, or Demobilizing at Victory North. If you want to plan for this, you may consider getting your own lightweight bulletproof vest.

Environment: These days, things should be pretty good in terms of the availability of things you will want or need at the local military post exchange (PX/BX). The weather fluctuates pretty radically, believe it or not. In the summer, it gets horribly hot and in some places there is still not a lot of shade. Get the highest level of sun screen protection that you can and at least a few long sleeve shirts. Even in the summer, it can get cold at night. In the winter, it can be just as miserable and can get very cold, especially with the wind. So always balance light and heavy wear. In some parts of Iraq the number of flies exceeds imagination. Most important thing to remember is that if you kill a fly, it will release pheremones that will invariably attract more flies. Hopefully, they have a better grip on pest control these days. Placing fly strips in your work area and transparent bags filled with water on posts hanging at about eye level are two things you can do to help if you've got problems at your camp.

Working in Iraq is a great way to earn some good money. You get a chance to see different parts of the world. You will probably get three vacations per year and reimbursement on a portion of your travel expenses. So you can use that to see some really interesting, safer places depending upon your tastes. Iraq is not a fun place to be unless you make it fun, engage to learn what you can from others, and establish goals for yourself, especially for your long-term financials. There are risks, but those risks are lower now than they were.

Controversy: Civilian Contractors have received a lot of flack - some as the result of high profile Blackwater issues, some in association with Abu Ghraib, and others associated with their high pay. What those who give this flack do not consider is that for most of the jobs in Iraq, to make that big money, contractors are working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, typically for 3 - 4 months straight. That is 84 hours a week, when the average job in the U.S is 40 hours a week. In 2005, we did receive 50% hazard and foreign work differential pay, but only on the first 40 hours per week. Overtime is not paid at time and a half, at all. Moreover, the base hourly wage of most jobs in Iraq, from warehousing to trucking is based upon an industry average for comparable jobs throughout the United States, starting at roughly $15 an hour. So, yes - you are making significantly better money than you might in the United States - but that owes directly to the fact that you are working more than two times the hours - and in a hostile environment.

This is not to say that there has not been mismanagement, that there are slackers, and there aren't people who have abused their positions. That goes on, too - but by and large, most of those who work in Iraq have worked hard under conditions most civilians are not willing to tolerate. For some, it's simply a political issue - but especially now with employment rapidly climbing to 10% - you do what you can, and working in Iraq helps keep a lot of people afloat while supporting the military. Good people sometimes have to work for less than admirable companies, and the reverse is true, too.

Safety LED Flashlight - $16.00

Available throught the BulletBlocker Safety Store. Yes, sometimes you do a Flashlight in Iraq - when you are on post, working night shift, or trying to find your stuff in a dark tent. Maybe all of the tents are gone now, but it never hurts to have a good light when you need one. Super Bright, Super Safe and Super Long Lasting LED Flashlight! This super-bright light will illuminate any task at hand. LED bulbs will last for over 100hrs! Be prepared for any emergency. Shine light on any situation.