Overseas Network/IT jobs (Iraq,Afghan)

I'll be graduating in Dec with a B.S. in MIS and wanted to do something different. I'm looking for overseas IT work preferably in networking. Does anyone know of good sites to apply for these positions? I already applied to KBR's open positions for Middle Eastern network techs. I know some of you guys on here are working in country or have worked there before.

A little background
-Former active duty Marine Infantryman for 3 years
-4 yr degree (Dec 2011)
-CCNA/CCENT
-A+
-Current Passport

Any help in the right direction is madly appreciated.

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Comments

veritas_libertas

518 wrote: »

ITT Mission Systems is currently looking for Network Admin in Afghanistan and Kuwait. The bad part is, you dont get the full up-lift of 120hrs worked. They only pay you 80hrs uplift and 40hrs regular pay. Still a six figure job, though.

Sir, even our computers are owned by the Army. We manage the communications, but the Army owns it. In stateside, outsourcing company/contractors actually provide the equipment, not here in theater.

KBR isnt as big anymore, they even lost the contract to Fluor. Also, Fluor is mainly DFAC and facilities jobs, not IT.

Last time I was offered a job by Dyncorp in Qatar as a Network Tech, it was just $70k/year...no thank you.

Look up Vista International, Five Rivers, DSCI. These guys gets paid twice as much as ITT Systems, same job.

Some DRS Defense contractors actually work in a high-level position like in JNCC-A.

If you end up in a FOB as a Network Admin, you will spend most of your time reading IT books and getting ready for another cert.

True enough, I meant to say that they (the military) don't physically maintain them. Good catch...

I work for one of the big three, and we have a lot of IT folks that are kept very busy, and work on numerous systems. Not a lot of time sit on their butts from what I'm told. This of course will vary from company to company I'm sure.

dynamitexvx

I know this is an old thread but I feel like this is a very valuable information
Most bases were covered so far but I think any updates from 2014-15 would be wonderful

dou2ble

I've heard that the money is drying up for jobs in the sand box so it's harder to get the higher paying positions. Supply and demand. There's way too much supply. But I could be wrong.

anhtran35

Got back from Afghanistan last year. The pay sucks NOW. Opportunities have dried up. Help Desk guys back in those days would make 120k or more. Now? 70k. It's pathetic. Plus the instability in Iraq and Afghanistan contractually and politically makes it even more hazardous. All the FOBs are closing down. More co workers ended up going home. Some ended up getting nice contracts in Germany, Kuwait or South Korea. Salary is about 95k there. Otherwise it's not worth it to go to Afghanistan or Iraq anymore. We just lost some guys at Kabul Airport the other day. I do miss the simple lifestyle. Eat/Sleep/Gym/Study. That was basically all I did. Work for 3 months. Rotate for a month. Repeat.

ArabianKnight

Nersesian wrote: »

While a part of L-3, these guys have some good options CONUS and OCONUS.

Engility :: Careers

My last contract was with them but got laid off early 2013. I almost went back(Afghanistan) again this year but pay was to horrible for my field, I could make what they offered in the US!

dynamitexvx

This was all very helpful information, thank you!

overthetop

70K that is almost hard to believe. I was offered a job for 120K about a month ago and even that is on the low side. You sure that 70K wasn't for a Foreign National? The war is over, like mentioned bases are closing and if troops are coming home so are contractors. I think indeed is a great source. It is extremely extremely harder to get on with those big companies mentioned. The best way is to network. The jobs I had as an EXPAT was 100% because I networked and got somebody to give me a recruiters email address.

FYI. It is still a contractor presence overseas. I talked to a guy today still in Afghanistan

ArabianKnight

I security contract that was won last year the daily rate for that was $168! The positions filled up fast, and this was for Afghanistan

overthetop

ArabanKnight

It is NO money in Security. They are the lowest paid Contractors Overseas in Afghanistan, I worked for Triple Canopy doing Security and yes Afghanistan. I also worked for another security company. So believe me I know. When the rent is due and you have bills you will go overseas for 100 bucks a day.

anhtran35

overthetop wrote: »

70K that is almost hard to believe. I was offered a job for 120K about a month ago and even that is on the low side. You sure that 70K wasn't for a Foreign National? The war is over, like mentioned bases are closing and if troops are coming home so are contractors. I think indeed is a great source. It is extremely extremely harder to get on with those big companies mentioned. The best way is to network. The jobs I had as an EXPAT was 100% because I networked and got somebody to give me a recruiters email address.

FYI. It is still a contractor presence overseas. I talked to a guy today still in Afghanistan

Nope. The positions at 70k were help desk and cable technicians. However, Networks and Systems Administrators were still balling at 120k. Simple fact is the government chose the lowest bidder due to budget constraints. The incumbent company bounce and no1 was taking a pay-cut. They flew us in to pick up the pieces.

anhtran35

overthetop wrote: »

ArabanKnight

It is NO money in Security. They are the lowest paid Contractors Overseas in Afghanistan, I worked for Triple Canopy doing Security and yes Afghanistan. I also worked for another security company. So believe me I know. When the rent is due and you have bills you will go overseas for 100 bucks a day.

I wish I had jump into the Security Contracting field sooner. I was offered $600 a day to work in Basra, Iraq. TC won the contract awhile back and will officially take over in April. Concerns of DOS budget cuts may lower the number of people out there.

ArabianKnight

After working for TC for a few months they cut our pay by a third and the people coming in were your typical mall cop/security guard types. I left on leave and told them I would not be coming back. I joined the guard and got a job that would be lucrative on the civilian side because I knew the security field was going in a downward spiral, worse than the other overseas gigs. As far as IT jobs go, they are there but unless you work for a prime contractor and not a sub the pay will suck big time, not worth going overthere anymore.

anhtran35

I do miss the free food and laundry service

Although, I swore I was missing some boxers each time I got my laundry back in Bagram!