Anyone ever deal with overseas jobs with the company Vectrus?

Speghetty

Headed to CRC this weekend anyone else?

Xepher

I go to CRC in less then 2 weeks.

MHardesty619

What were your timelines like? Like, from job offer to CRC? Last I heard there were waiting for my background to clear before scheduling my medical. Does that sound right?

Xepher

MHardesty619 said:

What were your timelines like? Like, from job offer to CRC? Last I heard there were waiting for my background to clear before scheduling my medical. Does that sound right?

Well  Vectrus worked with me, so i've been doing this for several months now, but once you complete medical, it could be a week or so before they request CRC.  delayed my CRC due to being on another assignment overseas, so your situation may be different. But when I did complete this, CRC was requested from Vectrus within 1-2 weeks after you cleared medical, if not less. Oh yeah sorry, i half read it, due to me still adjusting to the timezone. You must clear background first before they schedule the medical.

E4Mafia

First time posting here..  I am in the process of on boarding with Vectrus now.  I interviewed over the phone, answered a series of questions, some of which were generic management, some were fundamental technology questions, and others were very specific to the job description.  About three days later, I received the first offer.  After some back and forth, I finally accepted the offer and began the mountainous list of tasks to complete.  Meanwhile, the background investigator, international drivers permit, medical history, etc.. were all submitted.  My medical physical and dental exams were scheduled and completed by an occupational health company.  At this stage, everything has been completed successfully.  I believe the next steps are CRC scheduling and CBT's but I am awaiting official instructions.  So far, it's been a very smooth process.   

Xepher

E4Mafia said:

First time posting here..  I am in the process of on boarding with Vectrus now.  I interviewed over the phone, answered a series of questions, some of which were generic management, some were fundamental technology questions, and others were very specific to the job description.  About three days later, I received the first offer.  After some back and forth, I finally accepted the offer and began the mountainous list of tasks to complete.  Meanwhile, the background investigator, international drivers permit, medical history, etc.. were all submitted.  My medical physical and dental exams were scheduled and completed by an occupational health company.  At this stage, everything has been completed successfully.  I believe the next steps are CRC scheduling and CBT's but I am awaiting official instructions.  So far, it's been a very smooth process.   

If possible complete the CBT's prior to CRC, by doing so you'll be in good shape. The network is very spotty, everything else is cake.

Doevil

Ok guys, I'm heading to CRC Feb. 2 2019.  Here's my story:  I have been a lurker on this post for years, read every comment multiple times.  My adventure started with me applying to (ITT) Vectrus in 2011.  I was denied my interim clearance due to either mediocre credit or because Wikileaks was still fresh back then.  I was then contacted by a Vectus recruiter for a Systems Administrator I position in Afghanistan back in Feb. 2017.  I applied and passed the interview.  My clearance got approved in April 2018 (14 months). I am a mid 40's Navy veteran with a lot of job history and addresses, who never had a clearance.  It was a lengthy in depth process.    At the time I had a good job locally and was outdated on my CE and baseline certs so I just ghosted the recruiter.  In the meantime my job paid for my bootcamps to get my Network+ce and Security+ce as well as my MCSA 2016.  In December 2018 the recruiter supplied an updated offer letter with better pay rate ($30.14). This was a result of the contact changing, NOT any negotiating tactic on my part.  As others have said here, there is no negotiating.  At that time my job was stagnating and I was stuck doing solely technical PM work instead of the systems administration I love.  After discussion with the wife and kids, I decided to accept the offer on December 10th 2018.  My medical went fast, even over the holidays.  I got to pick my CRC date last Thursday, January 3rd 2019.  They wanted me to go January 26th but I pushed it to Feb. 2 so I can get my taxes done before I leave.  Apparently they need Sys Admins in Afghanistan right now.  According to the recruiter, I am unable to complete any CBT's beforehand due to the new requirement of a secure network. (?) I don't know where in country I'm headed but it'll be cold (12 degrees Fahrenheit in Kabul today!).  I'd love to hear from anyone currently deployed in Afghanistan or recently returned.  There is a ton of good info on here, I'm just hoping to get any updated info on weather, internet speeds, food, etc.  As those who have gone before me in this thread, I am happy to answer any questions about the process.  Thanks!

Rakurai

12 degrees..... you must have looked recently, im sure it hit almost 40 at RS and melted most of the snow before i flew out at ~1430. Snowed about 2 inches Friday night. Most of the snow on Bagram is gone, just lots of mud. Currently 10 in Kabul and 40 in Bagram.

Food is ok, overcooked and dry but ediable. Internet differs between Bagram and Kabul (RS HQ), Bagram is $155/mo for 5 Mbps, RS is pay per gig at 5Mbps. I don't think Vectrus has any people at RS, air quality is complete **** in Kabul. Bagram has a Pizza Hut, Subway and coffee places, RS has an Italian pizza place with a couple other restraunts and coffee.

Not sure what contractor normal living conditions are at Bagram but RS is 3 to a room with multinational housing.

Doevil

Thanks for the Reply.  Sounds like I should hope for Bagram. :-)  5Mbps, Damn I was hoping that improved.  I guess its back to the stone age for me.  I'll sure miss my 300Mbs Fios connection.  Do you know any of the Vectrus Sys Admins? I'm wondering what the role is like.  Anyway, thanks again for the info and hopefully by "flying out" you meant coming home, if so; Welcome Home!

oChicken

Doevil said:

Thanks for the Reply.  Sounds like I should hope for Bagram. :-)  5Mbps, Damn I was hoping that improved.  I guess its back to the stone age for me.  I'll sure miss my 300Mbs Fios connection.  Do you know any of the Vectrus Sys Admins? I'm wondering what the role is like.  Anyway, thanks again for the info and hopefully by "flying out" you meant coming home, if so; Welcome Home!

I was a sys admin 2 in Iraq. New contracts bumped us to just over $36, but I'm pretty sure help desk was bumped to $30. Iraq seems to pay much better than Afghanistan.
As for work, I was tier 2 support, patching workstations and servers, managing the sharedrive folders, and not too much of anything else. Spent most of my time on Reddit, but as a sys admin if you're working something is broken, which is a bad thing.
As a site admin you're pretty low on the totem pole, your RNOSC and then SWACC control group policies and change things without a word said. Sometimes a whole site will go down from an untested modification. The Iraq RNOSC is very capabable, but I realyr don't know what's going on in Kuwait. Too many people with no experience but a cert I'm sure.

Xepher

 said:

Ok guys, I'm heading to CRC Feb. 2 2019.  Here's my story:  I have been a lurker on this post for years, read every comment multiple times.  My adventure started with me applying to (ITT) Vectrus in 2011.  I was denied my interim clearance due to either mediocre credit or because Wikileaks was still fresh back then.  I was then contacted by a Vectus recruiter for a Systems Administrator I position in Afghanistan back in Feb. 2017.  I applied and passed the interview.  My clearance got approved in April 2018 (14 months). I am a mid 40's Navy veteran with a lot of job history and addresses, who never had a clearance.  It was a lengthy in depth process.    At the time I had a good job locally and was outdated on my CE and baseline certs so I just ghosted the recruiter.  In the meantime my job paid for my bootcamps to get my Network+ce and Security+ce as well as my MCSA 2016.  In December 2018 the recruiter supplied an updated offer letter with better pay rate ($30.14). This was a result of the contact changing, NOT any negotiating tactic on my part.  As others have said here, there is no negotiating.  At that time my job was stagnating and I was stuck doing solely technical PM work instead of the systems administration I love.  After discussion with the wife and kids, I decided to accept the offer on December 10th 2018.  My medical went fast, even over the holidays.  I got to pick my CRC date last Thursday, January 3rd 2019.  They wanted me to go January 26th but I pushed it to Feb. 2 so I can get my taxes done before I leave.  Apparently they need Sys Admins in Afghanistan right now.  According to the recruiter, I am unable to complete any CBT's beforehand due to the new requirement of a secure network. (?) I don't know where in country I'm headed but it'll be cold (12 degrees Fahrenheit in Kabul today!).  I'd love to hear from anyone currently deployed in Afghanistan or recently returned.  There is a ton of good info on here, I'm just hoping to get any updated info on weather, internet speeds, food, etc.  As those who have gone before me in this thread, I am happy to answer any questions about the process.  Thanks!

you can do CBT's before hand if you have a CAC. The LNO we dealt with Mike is a great representative for CRC, if you get him you'll see. Bagram is snowing, Kaf is chill. Internet is expensive, the food is great but that's all relative. I'm in AFG now.

Xepher

 said

Thanks for the Reply.  Sounds like I should hope for Bagram. :-)  5Mbps, Damn I was hoping that improved.  I guess its back to the stone age for me.  I'll sure miss my 300Mbs Fios connection.  Do you know any of the Vectrus Sys Admins? I'm wondering what the role is like.  Anyway, thanks again for the info and hopefully by "flying out" you meant coming home, if so; Welcome Home!

Won't let me quote, keep in mind Bagram gets hit frequently compared to other places. They got 6Mbs at around 235-255. All the jobs are easy around here.

Speghetty

Doevil said:

Thanks for the Reply.  Sounds like I should hope for Bagram. :-)  5Mbps, Damn I was hoping that improved.  I guess its back to the stone age for me.  I'll sure miss my 300Mbs Fios connection.  Do you know any of the Vectrus Sys Admins? I'm wondering what the role is like.  Anyway, thanks again for the info and hopefully by "flying out" you meant coming home, if so; Welcome Home!

I am currently at BAF as Vulnerability Analyst. The living situations are 2 to a room. They have showers and toilets on each floor. Laundry is done by the FOB. Depending where you are at DFAC is not bad and there are plenty of Gyms nearby. They have a small px, pizza hut, coffee shop and a subway near also. Internet is 155 a month for 6 Mbs. If you have any other questions let me know.

Rakurai

Doevil said:

Thanks for the Reply.  Sounds like I should hope for Bagram. :-)  5Mbps, Damn I was hoping that improved.  I guess its back to the stone age for me.  I'll sure miss my 300Mbs Fios connection.  Do you know any of the Vectrus Sys Admins? I'm wondering what the role is like.  Anyway, thanks again for the info and hopefully by "flying out" you meant coming home, if so; Welcome Home!

Not home, got relocated to BAF due to drawdown. Haven't had to work too much with Vectrus/25th Sig too much yet.

Xepher

@Rakurai, that's the thing I like what we talked about, if your site closes, they just move you since there are always slots available. But I do prefer Kaf due to the fact it's less strict here.

Leonardo Fantastico

Hello,

Old-time ITT Employee [among others] here.  Haven't worked for them since 2008.

I worked in Kuwait a long, long, time ago with CSA if anyone remembers it.

I had a couple of questions about a Help Desk [Systems Support Specialist] position in Kuwait with Vectrus.

1.  Do they still have separate positions for Arifjan and Buehring?

2.  When I worked for ITT the standard time off was 7 weeks:

4  weeks vacation
2  weeks vacation in lieu of holidays
1  week sick time

Is this still the case?

3.  What is the housing situation like for Arifjan/Buehring?

4.  Is Arifjan/Buehring on a 48-hour work week?  Is it [6 days/8 hours a day] or [4 days/10 hours + 1 day/8 hours]?  Do you get an hour for lunch or do you work through your lunch?

5.  I knew a guy who worked the help desk in Arifjan and he said the call volume was brutal - taking up to 70 calls in a day.  Does anyone know if it is still like that?

6.  Do people have a preference for Arifjan or Buehring?

7.  Does Vectrus offer a 401K for their OCONUS employees?  When I last worked for them they didn't offer one.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Speghetty

Leonardo Fantastico said:

Hello,

Old-time ITT Employee [among others] here.  Haven't worked for them since 2008.

I worked in Kuwait a long, long, time ago with CSA if anyone remembers it.

I had a couple of questions about a Help Desk [Systems Support Specialist] position in Kuwait with Vectrus.

1.  Do they still have separate positions for Arifjan and Buehring?

2.  When I worked for ITT the standard time off was 7 weeks:

4  weeks vacation
2  weeks vacation in lieu of holidays
1  week sick time

Is this still the case?

3.  What is the housing situation like for Arifjan/Buehring?

4.  Is Arifjan/Buehring on a 48-hour work week?  Is it [6 days/8 hours a day] or [4 days/10 hours + 1 day/8 hours]?  Do you get an hour for lunch or do you work through your lunch?

5.  I knew a guy who worked the help desk in Arifjan and he said the call volume was brutal - taking up to 70 calls in a day.  Does anyone know if it is still like that?

6.  Do people have a preference for Arifjan or Buehring?

7.  Does Vectrus offer a 401K for their OCONUS employees?  When I last worked for them they didn't offer one.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hello,

I am currently working at Bagram but might be able to provide some insight.

1.  Do they still have separate positions for Arifjan and Buehring?
Yes
2.  When I worked for ITT the standard time off was 7 weeks:
It is still about the same amount

3.  What is the housing situation like for Arifjan/Buehring?
Arifjan they put you in a room downtown. Not sure about Buehring.
4.  Is Arifjan/Buehring on a 48-hour work week?  Is it [6 days/8 hours a day] or [4 days/10 hours + 1 day/8 hours]?  Do you get an hour for lunch or do you work through your lunch?
Most of the contract are working 56 hour work weeks. Usually 4-10  2-8s I am working 7-8s You take a hour lunch and that does not count towards your hours worked.
5.  I knew a guy who worked the help desk in Arifjan and he said the call volume was brutal - taking up to 70 calls in a day.  Does anyone know if it is still like that?
I have no clue.
6.  Do people have a preference for Arifjan or Buehring?
Buehring is a remote location.
7.  Does Vectrus offer a 401K for their OCONUS employees?  When I last worked for them they didn't offer one.
Does offer 401k they do not match any. So you can still put into one but they dont give anything back.

brambis

Guess I'll ask here. Im currently in processing for an Afghanistan position with vectrus. Does anybody have knowledge of how the current peace agreement talks will effect the contracts over there? I'd hate to get all the way over there just for the contract to be terminated or something.

Speghetty

brambis said:

Guess I'll ask here. Im currently in processing for an Afghanistan position with vectrus. Does anybody have knowledge of how the current peace agreement talks will effect the contracts over there? I'd hate to get all the way over there just for the contract to be terminated or something.

Nobody is going anywhere.

brambis

Speghetty said:

brambis said:

Guess I'll ask here. Im currently in processing for an Afghanistan position with vectrus. Does anybody have knowledge of how the current peace agreement talks will effect the contracts over there? I'd hate to get all the way over there just for the contract to be terminated or something.

Nobody is going anywhere.

Thanks for the quick reply. Is that just the chatter around the base or is that from Vectrus leadership? I can believe it either way, I worked in the UAE with some contractors and they told me they pretty much had to close 1 of the Iraq bases down and were some of the last people out. They were project managers though.

Xepher

brambis said:

Speghetty said:

brambis said:

Guess I'll ask here. Im currently in processing for an Afghanistan position with vectrus. Does anybody have knowledge of how the current peace agreement talks will effect the contracts over there? I'd hate to get all the way over there just for the contract to be terminated or something.

Nobody is going anywhere.

Thanks for the quick reply. Is that just the chatter around the base or is that from Vectrus leadership? I can believe it either way, I worked in the UAE with some contractors and they told me they pretty much had to close 1 of the Iraq bases down and were some of the last people out. They were project managers though.

You good lol, if a base "closes down" or "draws down" you just get moved to another base if you want to.

Doevil

Hi Guys,  I'm heading to CRC at Fort Bliss this weekend.  Apparently I am heading to Kandahar Air Field (KAF). I received an email from the site manager there.  Anyone been there or currently stationed there? Any insight would be useful.  There are lots of good packing recommendations in this thread, any updated info or personal recommendations? I really liked the previous advise to travel with only a back pack due to the gear bag issued at CRC.  I don't know if I can pull that off with my medium sized laptop back pack.  I intend to bring along a second carry on rolling bag with collapsible handle (yes, this is allowed per the CRC liaison.)  I'll then transfer that stuff into the gear bag issued (It's noted on here that the duffle bag is not full and can accommodate a few more things) and ditch the carry on.  Thus still only traveling with two bags.  I am also shipping a Pelican footlocker (pricey, but worth it) packed with non-essentials to my duty station, as ok'd and recommended by the site manager.  Any advise or comments on this plan are welcomed.  I don't yet have my LOA or itinerary, I guess that'll be last minute.  I'm anxious and dreading all the travel required to get to KAF.  I just want to be there and start work already.  Oh well, I guess it's an exercise in patience.  I am excited to start this adventure and hope I'll cross paths with some of you in country.  Good luck to all and feel free to ask any questions about the process.  Thanks for all the help and insight provided here. 

Doevil

...One more thought. Any advise specifically about cold weather gear for Afghanistan (Kandahar.)  I'm a Californian (75 degrees and sunny today. :-) ) who knows nothing about cold.  About to buy a coat and have no idea what I'll need.  I did get some under armor cold weather gloves.  Any other suggestions? How much will be out in the weather as a system admin?  Thermal underwear?  Help!   Thanks!

Rakurai

Doevil said:

Hi Guys,  I'm heading to CRC at Fortss this weekend.  Apparently I am heading to Kandahar Air Field (KAF). I received an email from the site manager there.  Anyone been there or currently stationed there? Any insight would be useful.  There are lots of good packing recommendations in this thread, any updated info or personal recommendations? I really liked the previous advise to travel with only a back pack due to the gear bag issued at CRC.  I don't know if I can pull that off with my medium sized laptop back pack.  I intend to bring along a second carry on rolling bag with collapsible handle (yes, this is allowed per the CRC liaison.)  I'll then transfer that stuff into the gear bag issued (It's noted on here that the duffle bag is not full and can accommodate a few more things) and ditch the carry on.  Thus still only traveling with two bags.  I am also shipping a Pelican footlocker (pricey, but worth it) packed with non-essentials to my duty station, as ok'd and recommended by the site manager.  Any advise or comments on this plan are welcomed.  I don't yet have my LOA or itinerary, I guess that'll be last minute.  I'm anxious and dreading all the travel required to get to KAF.  I just want to be there and start work already.  Oh well, I guess it's an exercise in patience.  I am excited to start this adventure and hope I'll cross paths with some of you in country.  Good luck to all and feel free to ask any questions about the process.  Thanks for all the help and insight provided here. 

I went to KAF almost 2 weeks ago for inventory, almost 70 during the day dropping down to high/mid 30s at night. I would say just bring a regular jacket, shouldn't need anything fancy.

Xepher

Doevil said:

...One more thought. Any advise specifically about cold weather gear for Afghanistan (Kandahar.)  I'm a Californian (75 degrees and sunny today. :-) ) who knows nothing about cold.  About to buy a coat and have no idea what I'll need.  I did get some under armor cold weather gloves.  Any other suggestions? How much will be out in the weather as a system admin?  Thermal underwear?  Help!   Thank

3 pairs of thermals and a fleece jacket should do you go, I have a thermal blanket and it's the best, i'm a little south of Kaf, but it gets to about 30-40 here and because of the living situation your room may have a chance of getting really cold. But yeah you'll probably be indoors most of the time, this keeps me warm (i'm used to 80+) Pooluly Men's Waterproof Windproof Rain Snow Jacket Hooded Fleece Ski Coat                                                                                                                        

ArabianKnight

Anyone want to refer me to Vectrus?  There is a position I am interested in applying to.

Xepher

ArabianKnight said:

Anyone want to refer me to Vectrus?  There is a position I am interested in applying to.

Sure.

chriscurtis83

Does anyone know what a PM gets paid overseas? I have my TS/SCI and my PMP if that helps get clarity on what pay could be.

Speghetty

Clearance isn’t going to get you more money nor will the cert. All they care about is you have minimum requirements to fill the position you take what they give. As far as salary they are on the lower end for most of the contracts. 

robmcgrady99

Just curious on the medical side of things. Is there a BMI/weight restriction?  Trying to get ducks in a row before I apply and I think I saw that you had to be within a certain BMI range. Also if there is is it possible to get a waiver?