brucelee

iTrader: (6)

With the economy being what it is, money isn't something we call a luxury anymore, and with unemployment is at 10+%, I've gone out seeking work over seas doing private security in a couple countries, one of them being Bosnia due to the fact that I speak the language (Croatian/Bosnian/Serbian are all pretty much the same).

I applied to a few agencies over the past 6 months and got a call back, which surprised me greatly because I didn't take it too seriously and didn't think anything would fall through, just kinda did it for craps and giggles with a semi serious interest.

Anyway, the reason they chose me was due to the fact that I'm POST certified (Police) and for firearms experience, and believe it or not, because of my height/size (I was like ). The job is pretty straight forward and pretty easy, but can be dangerous as there is A LOT of corruption in Bosnia with the Mafia and random gangs that rule certain cities, these thugs have caused a major problem for legit businesses and the higher up businessmen have sought out private contractors from the states, they called me because I speak the language and have a good understanding of what goes on there, as well as the geography, etc. Normally I wouldn't really consider doing something like this due to the fact that Im married now, but the money is something I can't ignore. Pay is about double of what I'd make working for a software company here and is TAX FREE, so I come to you guys.

Any former military folks ever do this sort of thing? Can you tell me a brief description of what to expect? Is it worth leaving everyone behind for 6+ months at a time? I know the dangers and am not too worried about it, things don't really ever happen there, but they do happen, but mostly to people without armed contractors, so basically this is sort of like a prevention measure as the thugs dont target businessmen that have this sort of security, they target those who don't... I know that going to Iraq for this sort of thing is a big business and a lot of people do it for the money, so I'm hoping that someone here would have some experience with it.


Thanks in advance, and to our military folks, thanks for your service.

Turbo Rob

iTrader: (1)

I think it's a great opportunity for you, because it is $$$$. You'll have to make some family sacrifices, but you can start investing the extra cash that you will be making so that you can retire earlier than most people. It is dangerous, but if you like that kind of stuff.. do it.

ryball

iTrader: (6)

Dude, no. You're married, man. I know you are POST certified, but you have no practical experience, do you?

... have you talked to your wife about this?

baco

I can't speak for the job itself, even though I am a neighbor (Italy), and I know about the situation over there since I have a few friends. I am just concerned about the TAX FREE part.
are you sure it is tax free, or it's tax free because it is easy to make it so with some bureaucratic ordeal? just curious.
also, being away from the family it's hard do you have kids> how old?

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

No, it's tax free just as if you were to go to Iraq and do the same thing.


And no, I haven't talked to my wife yet. wanted all the facts and all my questions answered before talking to my family.

LxJLthr

iTrader: (12)

In the current economic situation, I highly doubt IRS will just let you keep your foreign income tax free and not give you a hassle. With a few exception, you still have to disclose your non-US income. I have a professional contact back in Chicago that constantly goes to South American countries for work (albeit non-military) and he has been audited multiple times. Foreign work is an awesome opportunity and I personally would strongly recommend it, but make sure all of the logistical/administrative details are taken care off. Last thing you want is IRS going after you for tax evasion or fraud (intentional or not). Below is what a quick Google search turned up.

http://www.dfas.mil/retiredpay/taxin...ignincome.html

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/index.html

Lurk

iTrader: (10)

I have friends that have done private military contract work overseas. Honestly, unless you come from a military SOF background or have gone thru all the PSD training courses and have the kind of skill sets that would make you an asset to the company...you're not going to get hired.

There were some individuals back in 2003-2004 that got very, very lucky and managed to get hired without any real credentials. But now with all the guys who have actual combat experience coming back from Iraq and A-stan, the chances of a civilian with no real world experience getting hired is almost zero.

BTW, on average the pay for PSD detail is around $800-$1000 a day. For convoy escort and checkpoint security, it's lower.

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

I was surprised at the fact that they called me back, yeah, it's been over half a year, but they did call me back. They really liked the fact that I can blend in with the locals since I speak the language perfectly, and my name is regional, so that's a dual score. There would be some training that I'd have to go through before going and they made that clear, just the type of stuff that you'd expect.

If I didn't speak the language and have knowledge of the area (I've spent a lot of time there, I was there last year actually and spent over a month visiting family, and that's specifically a town near Sarajevo, not the typical Croatian visits I make). The only reason I even had a chance was due to this. They even mentioned the fact that I haven't been trained properly but can easily take some intensive training courses while there (save money rather than having me train here in the USA).

I'll def look into the tax stuff.

Lurk

iTrader: (10)

This is a list of Private Security Companies ( all the major ones anyways )


3D Global Solutions
Alpha Point Security
AQMI Strategy Corporation
Blackwater USA (Now XE)
Braddock Dunn & McDonald
CACI International, Inc.
Berodt Dynamics
Defion Internacional
DynCorp
Eastern Cross
Elite Security Corps
Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR)
Military Professional Resources Inc.
Northbridge Services Group
Overwatch Protection Solutions International
Paratus World Wide Protection
Ronin Worldwide Executive Protection, LLC
SCG International Risk
SkyLink USA
SOS Temps, Inc: Founded by former Navy Seal Richard Marcinko
Spartan Consulting Group
Titan Corporation
Top Cat Marine Security
Triple Canopy, Inc.
Vinnell Corporation
VIP Investigations & Protective Services

Adson Holdings
Aegis Defence Services
AKE Group
Armor Group
Corporate Warriors
Erinys International
Gurkha Security Guards
Hart Security Limited
Hostile Control Tactics
Plaza 107
Securiforce
Corporate Warriors
Erinys International
Gurkha Security Guards
Hart Security Limited
Hostile Control Tactics
Plaza 107
Securiforce
Black Oak Security (Poland)
Levdan (Israel)
Meteoric Tactical Solutions (South Africa)
Olive Group
Omega Group (Norway)
Omega Security Solutions (South Africa)
Strategic Resources Corporation (South Africa)

Is the company that called you part of that list?

baco

I can perfectly see why they would be interested in you. Perfect cultural blending.

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

The main reason is that foreigners aren't trusted, and although I am one, they dont know that.

Shayhan27

iTrader: (4)

DOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT!!!! Ok so its Bosnia. Things are still not so great there but if you can go there and be non biased you will work out fine. Are you working for a legit company or is just security for a private person. How much are they paying? better be over 100k. You are a legit asset because of your language nad ethnicity. Not really easy to find someone with that in america ready to go.

As for family. How attached is your wife to the US? Take her put her up in a nice pad in Croatia and go visit her on the weekends. Problem solved. As for tax free alot of laws have changed. At the start of OIF it was up to 90k but now it is substancially higher like 150k or even 245k per year and they wont touch it.

Make sure to cover getting there and home as some contracts will get you there but you are on your own getting back. I have a few buddies that went to Iraq with ABC paid them well but no support getting home. Also check how well they will cover you if there is an "incident" some companies will get you to the states ASAP and cover you, some will hand you over to the local authorities if it goes awry.

pwn

iTrader: (10)

This probably isn't what your family signed up for...all the money in the world isn't worth what could happen if you ask me.

AntiochCali

iTrader: (1)

Hi, I've worked overseas, not as security, but I have friends currently doing security work. I can only tell you how it used to be:

1. First $70K US federal tax free, still have to pay CA tax if you maintain residency as California. There is a provision, if you are not given a housing allowance, to take another $35K off for living expenses, but you must remain out of the country for more than 6 months of each year you take these tax breaks. IDK if these laws have changed, but that's the way it was when I did it.

2. Security jobs are risky, I have a couple of friends doing it now in Afghanistan. I won't go into the environment (I have a LOT of pictures), but they have been doing it for more than 10 years. The biggest thing is that you go around in pairs or more...always armed and loaded. You sweat a lot

My friends started making about $10k/month, I think they make around $12K/month now, not many expenses except beer and snacks. Food and housing is provided in their contracts. They also have a 3 month bonus (that's a bonus of 3 months of pay) every 18 months (contract renewel). They have been shot at several times though, once a drive by. They were also in a convoy that was bombed and another that was ambushed - the bad guys died in the ambush.

They have been in a number of "actions" where they are the agressors, not going into buildings, but playing sniper while the military goes into the building, and providing cover fire so the military doesn't get ambushed while kicking in doors. I have a couple of videos of this somewhere, lots of cursing, haha.

I have never asked them about the tax laws, because I always assumed they were similar as when I worked overseas as an engineer.

From my experience, there are a couple of things to ask.

1. Montly pay, what about housing, CAR (very important, I was stuck in Venezuela with no car!), food/other living expenses.
2. Contract length
3. Penalties (ie if you don't want and if you can't complete it).
4. Bonus (My bonses were always 6 months of pay, but my friends doing security are only getting 3 months of bonus).
5. Vacation, depending on where you are, you may get a free vacation or free plane tickets. Be careful you don't mess up your 6 months+1 day overseas to maintain your federal tax exempt status, why most guys took vacation in Greece or Canada instead of flying back to the USA.
6. Make certain you have direct deposit set up before you leave the USA - it's critical to getting paid timely. I don't know anyone that had any issues with direct deposit, the people with issues got checks.

If you want to chat about some of the issues working overseas as a contractor send me a PM and I'll shoot you my cell or we can meet up, I've done it for a number of years in the past.