LOGCAP IV INFO

my husband is settling in at his new site. He has already sent me a list of things to send him including his laptop. Skype will be the way for us to communicate and the email. He has his own wii fi account and hopefully will be up an running within a week or so.

I dont work in the trades but I know every base has a tool room where tools are signed out to people. So I would assume they provide tools.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: Here is a question I have forgotten to ask. Do they supply our tools in Afghanistan or do we bring our own?

No, do not bring your tools. You will be supplied tools, maybe not everything that you want, but most of what you are going to need. The issue with bringing anything like that is when you decide to go home. Your packages that are shipped out of country are searched before they go and if you have tools, you better have receipts or they will think you took them. For the most part the electricians have what they need here.

One thing I do not see mentioned in the previous post. If you are coming here in the winter, boots, bring one pair with you, have another pair shipped as soon as you get here. Some of these sites get a lot of snow and rain during the winter and you are out in it most of the day. Having a dry pair in your room for when yours get soaked is nice.

Gone Fishing in Forsyth, Georgia said: No, do not bring your tools. You will be supplied tools, maybe not everything that you want, but most of what you are going to need. The issue with bringing anything like that is when you decide to go home. Your packages that are shipped out of country are searched before they go and if you have tools, you better have receipts or they will think you took them. For the most part the electricians have what they need here.

One thing I do not see mentioned in the previous post. If you are coming here in the winter, boots, bring one pair with you, have another pair shipped as soon as you get here. Some of these sites get a lot of snow and rain during the winter and you are out in it most of the day. Having a dry pair in your room for when yours get soaked is nice.

Well we got some bad news last night; they sent out messages to our foreman telling all US electricians and tradespeope that if we don't have a Stateside Journeymans credentials by the end of your contract we have to end our contract. Were pretty much sunk and that's ontop of the reduction of US Expats they are going to release in the Jan/Feb time frame....I need a new job...help!

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: Well we got some bad news last night; they sent out messages to our foreman telling all US electricians and tradespeope that if we don't have a Stateside Journeymans credentials by the end of your contract we have to end our contract. Were pretty much sunk and that's ontop of the reduction of US Expats they are going to release in the Jan/Feb time frame....I need a new job...help!

Or any advice..., please!

What? How did you end up over there without a JW card? Or are you refering to a State License?

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: What? How did you end up over there without a JW card? Or are you refering to a State License?

I have my JW card but they were saying specificaly they were targeting us without a STATE LICENSE! Unofficialy we were told that the master plan was to downsize salries and U.S. positions all together. I hope it's not true

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: I have my JW card but they were saying specificaly they were targeting us without a STATE LICENSE! Unofficialy we were told that the master plan was to downsize salries and U.S. positions all together. I hope it's not true

What State are you from? And how long have you been out there?

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: What State are you from? And how long have you been out there?[/QUOTE

Cali and Tennrssee Sir. I've been here in Afghan for 3 years...a lot of my supervisors are also worried. If you have any advice, it'd be appreciated....

Contract Worker,

Sorry man, I really dont have any advice. Im very new at looking into finding my way out there. Im from Cali and its only in the last few years that the State License has been a requirement here. I finished my apprenticeship in 2006 and had to take the State test to turn out. Depending on when your contract expires you can try and come back to Cali before then and take the state test. Its not that difficult. If you are familiar with the 2002 NEC it should be fairly easy.

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: Contract Worker,

Sorry man, I really dont have any advice. Im very new at looking into finding my way out there. Im from Cali and its only in the last few years that the State License has been a requirement here. I finished my apprenticeship in 2006 and had to take the State test to turn out. Depending on when your contract expires you can try and come back to Cali before then and take the state test. Its not that difficult. If you are familiar with the 2002 NEC it should be fairly easy.

Thanks....that's a world of info. It just seems they are trying to outsource U.S workers from here, I don't want to believe it but they keep bringing on more and more FNs and making it tougher for us already here..we were told they are going to let go a huge amount of us,,,

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: Thanks....that's a world of info. It just seems they are trying to outsource U.S workers from here, I don't want to believe it but they keep bringing on more and more FNs and making it tougher for us already here..we were told they are going to let go a huge amount of us,,,

Send me your email address and I'll dig up the info for where to apply to take the state test. You should be able to make a reservation for when you know you'll have time off to get out here. hell, I'll even send you a code book to read if you want.

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: Thanks....that's a world of info. It just seems they are trying to outsource U.S workers from here, I don't want to believe it but they keep bringing on more and more FNs and making it tougher for us already here..we were told they are going to let go a huge amount of us,,,

Thats weird because reading these forums it seems there is a huge demand for US/UK trained electricians. Send my your email address and i'll send you the info on where and how to apply to take the state test. Hell, i'll even send you a 2002 NEC book if you want. I have a couple of them.

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: Thats weird because reading these forums it seems there is a huge demand for US/UK trained electricians. Send my your email address and i'll send you the info on where and how to apply to take the state test. Hell, i'll even send you a 2002 NEC book if you want. I have a couple of them.

wow...double post, double post..LOL

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: wow...double post, double post..LOL

Sir, my e-mail is jimmydias1@gmail.com...any help is much appreciated. They've apparently identified hunreds of expatriates as leaving but were just waiting on when they will notify us. Even DI is going south on the jobs and I work with some of the best Masters in the business. Thanks for your help.

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: Sir, my e-mail is jimmydias1@gmail.com...any help is much appreciated. They've apparently identified hunreds of expatriates as leaving but were just waiting on when they will notify us. Even DI is going south on the jobs and I work with some of the best Masters in the business. Thanks for your help.

Sir there is another forum that is called overseas electrican that also has alot of good information concerning most of the overseas electrical work. I will see if i can locate and post the link.

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: Sir there is another forum that is called overseas electrican that also has alot of good information concerning most of the overseas electrical work. I will see if i can locate and post the link.

www.indeed.com/forum/job/electrician/overseas-electrician-jobs

i believe this is the forum

it would not allow me to post the entire link. search the forums under this string

overseas electrician jobs and the forum should appear.

the linked posted does not work if i included the numbers it says i am trying to post a phone number.

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: it would not allow me to post the entire link. search the forums under this string

overseas electrician jobs and the forum should appear.

the linked posted does not work if i included the numbers it says i am trying to post a phone number.

Thank you Sir...we've been told Iraq is out of the equation for most of us and I fear they are just letting us go even though I've been in AFG fo 3 plus years.

JR NY said: don't know if this is repeated but:: I received my E Ticket this morning for Saturday night flight I am a little relieved I guess the paper work begins when we get there anyway thank you for the information and enjoy what little time we have left with the family I hope to meet you in Greenville have a safe flight......John

John,
Will see you in Greenville, and hope that you've enjoyed your last few days in the real world.

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: I have my JW card but they were saying specificaly they were targeting us without a STATE LICENSE! Unofficialy we were told that the master plan was to downsize salries and U.S. positions all together. I hope it's not true

Do you mean a Contractor's license?? My husband is a Journeyman also and his license expires in Dec. He took the necessary courses (some online) and we sent proof to the state for his renewal and all of that is up to date now. But he also has his contractor's license, which he got this year and when he was hired recently by Fluor, he wasn't asked for that info.

Im sure some states are different ..

Good luck!

I have heard many different things so I want to get this right. You can take laptops to B-sites just not cameras and cell phones. I have also heard that you must have a U.S passport (which I have).

617_sparky in Oakley, California said: Thats weird because reading these forums it seems there is a huge demand for US/UK trained electricians. Send my your email address and i'll send you the info on where and how to apply to take the state test. Hell, i'll even send you a 2002 NEC book if you want. I have a couple of them.

There is a demand for US/UK electricians, the problem is that there is still a bunch of states that do not have formal licensing programs. They basically let the unions police the electricians, which in most cases does a pretty good job.

We in Missouri don't have state licenses but, we do have standardized testing. Thompson prometric I believe. Which in KC, St Louis, and Springfield all require at least a 75% score to pass. I've already been cleared by Fluor and just waiting on the feds to pass my background. Would this mean I wouldn't get passed because MO doesn't have state license?

We relocated to Florida a few yrs ago so when my husband decided to take
work overseas--we had issues with licensing. But fortunately for us, our home
state offered state license and my husband had kept his licenses up. Even though he
really did not need it for his work in Florida. ( this way they seem to
offer only county level journeyman and masters--at state level they offer
contractors). But one thought for some--some states--that do offer state
licenses- do offer reciprocal licenses.

Just a thought, but it might be a means to a state level license for some.
You need to check with your local electrical licensing board or
there are links online that provide info about which states offer reciprocal
license with which states. In some cases your license from your state--be
it county level may be enough to at least make you eligiable to sit for
the test of another state that reciprocals and offers a state level license.
One link to check--that has a list of recipricals is the Mike Holt, under
state licenses. Best of luck.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: We in Missouri don't have state licenses but, we do have standardized testing. Thompson prometric I believe. Which in KC, St Louis, and Springfield all require at least a 75% score to pass. I've already been cleared by Fluor and just waiting on the feds to pass my background. Would this mean I wouldn't get passed because MO doesn't have state license?

I was given to understand one of the first things they do is confirm licenses, so
if you have already been cleared, then it would seem they are confident in your
creditials. Did they request info/copy on your license? Or certification for
your training and or testing?

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: Well we got some bad news last night; they sent out messages to our foreman telling all US electricians and tradespeope that if we don't have a Stateside Journeymans credentials by the end of your contract we have to end our contract. Were pretty much sunk and that's ontop of the reduction of US Expats they are going to release in the Jan/Feb time frame....I need a new job...help!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, hopefully as KOKO said you can recipicate! I share an office with the electrical dept here at DI and the manager said to me that DI is the same, state certs only, helpers are FN's but there still short handed with ex-pats, and will only have electricians that have the correct state certs. Give them a try I really enjoy working for them, they've lived up to there promises and way less problems since transition. Best of luck to you!!

salty dog 2 in Afghanistan said: I'm sorry to hear about your situation, hopefully as KOKO said you can recipicate! I share an office with the electrical dept here at DI and the manager said to me that DI is the same, state certs only, helpers are FN's but there still short handed with ex-pats, and will only have electricians that have the correct state certs. Give them a try I really enjoy working for them, they've lived up to there promises and way less problems since transition. Best of luck to you!!

Hey salt,

You got an email that you will give me.

salty dog 2 in Afghanistan said: I'm sorry to hear about your situation, hopefully as KOKO said you can recipicate! I share an office with the electrical dept here at DI and the manager said to me that DI is the same, state certs only, helpers are FN's but there still short handed with ex-pats, and will only have electricians that have the correct state certs. Give them a try I really enjoy working for them, they've lived up to there promises and way less problems since transition. Best of luck to you!!

I've only heard good things about DI, I hope to be able to join your team. Have you guys had any problems of jobs being outsourced to OCNs? I don't know what to believe sometimes...thanks

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: I was given to understand one of the first things they do is confirm licenses, so
if you have already been cleared, then it would seem they are confident in your
creditials. Did they request info/copy on your license? Or certification for
your training and or testing?

They asked for a copy of my masters license and they actually called our licensing department and confirmed that I had taken a test and was registered as a master in Springfield.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: They asked for a copy of my masters license and they actually called our licensing department and confirmed that I had taken a test and was registered as a master in Springfield.

You should be good to go, Sir. It seems they are not bringing on as many expats as they used to but if you have everything in order, I can see you finishing your contract. Good luck

I hope so. Just seems like you never know. This sure would help my family.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: I hope so. Just seems like you never know. This sure would help my family.

Yes, just remember that it's not all its cracked up to be but it is a nice boost in salary. Have you already sent in the fingerprints and SF 85?

yeah I sent everything in on Mon. email on Tues. saying med and dental cleared. I think it was a sf 86 though.

I think an 86 means they are putting you in for a secret clearance...that's fantastic however, it can take anywhere from 2-6 months for an interim to be granted

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: I think an 86 means they are putting you in for a secret clearance...that's fantastic however, it can take anywhere from 2-6 months for an interim to be granted

The 85 form seems to be a quicker process for approval

Recruiter said something about getting a group of secret clearance guys pushed through quickly. I guess they need the man-power fast. He spoke fast and dominated the whole conversation so I'm not 100% sure what is happening. I had applied back in Feb. so I was surprised to hear from them when the called a month ago. When I first applied I spent money on an expedited passport (48 hour) so I'm glad they called

Just patiently waiting for the call either yeah or neah. Ok not that patiently I'm feeling very anxious.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: Just patiently waiting for the call either yeah or neah. Ok not that patiently I'm feeling very anxious.

Good luck, Sir

There is no interim for an SF85 and if your fingerprints are good interim for a SF86 takes about 2 weeks that is why they are running the electricians thru the 86 right now.

Takes 1-2 weeks to deploy for interim sf86 ...fyi. Get your bags ready and make sure you take confy clothes. It's not fashion show.

I can only hope. I know I'm ready. Have a list already made if I get the ok. By the way if it does go through(my background check)how long before I get asked to go to SC?

PlumberDee in Sacramento, California said: Takes 1-2 weeks to deploy for interim sf86 ...fyi. Get your bags ready and make sure you take confy clothes. It's not fashion show.

It took only a few days for my interim fs86 will be in SC.on the 27th my 2nd time in country the first time only took a week with D.I. to get to KAF hope things are better than when I left in May of this year good luck to all

Contract Worker in Nashville, Tennessee said: The 85 form seems to be a quicker process for approval

Used to be that way. Now with the additional requirements of the SF85 it can take as long or longer than a real clearance. The interim secret is only about a 2 week deal if you are clean. 2-4 months to actually get the secret, but you can deploy with the interim.

I've got some back ground but no felonies. What do they exclude you for?

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: I've got some back ground but no felonies. What do they exclude you for?

The requirements have loosened up some in the recent few years, especially regrading credit. The main thing is be very honest, list everything. You can't have anything out standing in the courts, large amount of back child support can cause you problems, a recent bankruptcy will slow it down. They basically want to see that even if you have made mistakes you have dealt with them responsibly and do not try to hide them, again, list everything.

Electrician in Springfield in Springfield, Missouri said: I've got some back ground but no felonies. What do they exclude you for?

You been on here for a while, congrats on finally making it over. Maybe we run into each other in this wonderful place.

I look forward to it. I guess I will know within a week or so. Appreciate all the good tid bits of info. Amazes me how cool people are.

Hey Gone Fishing, how long after deployment till I get paid? How does the pay work? Goes to bank account I assume but do we have direct access also or just back home?

With the new tax season right around the corner does anyone have any really good tips for filing our taxes? I have hired reputable tax people for the last 2 years(my husband has been there 2.5 years) and have wound up either in the red or paying too much to the IRS each time. It seems there are few tax people who know how to file for those of us who's spouses work outside of the US. Any info would be greatly appreciated.