LOGCAP IV INFO

Just added my 2 cents on what I am being told about living conditions currently in Afghanistan.

As Kathy said tents, b- huts or containers– but right now, lots of tents–they call em circus or big top-- so your odds are . . . At least after you first arrive and are transitioning to your assigned camp. If you stay on at a larger camp, your name will go on a waiting list for ‘housing assignment’ that one can at least hope is better than these larger tents.

Big issue with overcrowding right now in many of the larger camps–such as BAF because of the build up. I have heard it said that afghanistan is a lot like Iraq was in the early days. That said there is definitely room for improvements–and in time I am sure the will come. For Fluor folks, since KBR was they first they seem to have all of the prime reality–that may change with the transition. But they seem to be taking most folks on–so more the apt of the wait till improvements are built up.

You might find yourself with better living conditions–at leastwise less crowded if you get sent to an out laying smaller fob. But no real perks at these places–as in MWR, fast food and green bean coffee shops etc–but then news and rumors of news holds that all the fast food joints save for green been coffee are going to be closed down soon. Few places–fobs are actually new–as in still being built–so their defac facility may be limited too. That said you my have to exist for a while or have to supplement meals with MREs for a while.

(con't)

As Kathy mentioned, I have also heard it referred to in a manner of like being in prison. But those of you going with Fluor, after you been there for a while and adjust, you might just be surprised at how quickly RRs roll around. You can not take your first RR until after your first 91 days in. But after the first, RRs come like every 10 weeks. Its actually kind of wild when you consider–takes some days to get out for RR–and then figure you take 14 days RR which starts when you get in Dubia–then when you come back–if you are in a out laying fob can take an additional few days to get you back.

For those of you going over make sure you take cold and allergy meds–lots of germs floating around–as is the time of the yr for and then there is the over crowding issue to contend with that makes matter worse. Take a multi vitamin with you and extra C can not hurt. There’s also a product call air born that can help boost your immune system.

Lastly . . .

Someone ask about internet connection. The larger camps definitely have internet connection–but how good it works is sporadic. You find some that will say they have great connection. Others, ' it hardly ever works!' And yes some of the smaller out laying fobs also have internet connection. In the case of my hubby, he has better internet connection access in his smaller Fob then when he travels to like BAF.

A good investment to consider once you get over there may be an Afghanistan cell phone. ‘Cause its overcrowded, in some areas it can be hard to get access to a phone–as in long long lines. It is a bit spendy mintues wise–think it runs about 24 cents a minute. But calls in are free to you--so I buy minutes this way to call hubby to defer some of the expense of. I use enjoy prepaid cards. For us it more spendy cause I do not have a landline so cost me about 30 cents a minute. Yeah cheaper for him to call me. BUT, he works at a smaller FOB so no way for him to buy more minutes when he runs out, so we try to conserve his minutes. Good news is I can txt him for 20 cents a txt with my regular T mobile package. Do check with noble.com or enjoy pre paid card–nobel owns enjoy too, if you are looking for reasonable priced minutes. Nobel works great with land lines–talking pennies a minute. Enjoy is for cell to cell and cost more.

You can also buy a sim card for your afghanistan cell phone that will work in Dubia.

Best of luck.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: To be honest with you guys, I honestly don't know how much I'm going to be paid. I know my base pay but I don't know the percentage of uplift or anything like that. When the guy called me and offered me that job, I wasn't asking many question. Does anyone know if the uplift is the same for everybody or does it depend on your job?

Yes it is the same, and for afghanistan it is 80 percent right now. Also when you get there ask them about your sign on bonus, end of yr bonus, and your RR pay.

Chris Twopher in Fremont, California said: What does it mean when it shows "Tier II position with Tier II benefits platform" in certain job descriptions?

The tier positions are a bit confusing but it relates to the level of position you hold and or are apply for. At a certain tier level, after you have been with them for a yr you will qualify for other benefits such as a retirement account with. Sorry I am not sure what tier level it starts at, I just know hubby was told that he would qualify after he had been with them for a yr.

Chris Twopher in Fremont, California said: Mrmonte678 , I'm prior service too and was also deployed 3 times for 2 different branches. USMC (infantry) and Army(transportation). What job did you get hired for? Is it the same stuff you did in the military? As for me, I'm trying to get into vector/pest control which I do in civilian life.

I applied for Warehouseman and I also did Logistics in the military.

Does anybody know about the tax information and the penalty if you leave early?

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Yes it is the same, and for afghanistan it is 80 percent right now. Also when you get there ask them about your sign on bonus, end of yr bonus, and your RR pay.

Cool...I hope to find out that information soon. I also assume that it's over 100K right?

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: Cool...I hope to find out that information soon. I also assume that it's over 100K right?

Sorry, I do not know the pay scale for your position. Maybe some one else can better assist. You should be able to figure it out though if you know your base pay. The formula for escapes me jsut now. Maybe Kathy, or another can better remember?

I also do not think it unreasonable for you to call and ask your recruiter for more specifics about your pay. I do understand the excitement of getting the call and the job allowing for some of the finer details to not be discussed. I do know that it is a pretty good chunk of change just between, sign on bonus, end of yr bonus and RR pay.

Best of luck.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: Does anybody know about the tax information and the penalty if you leave early?

91,500 is tax exempt as of this year--went up a hundred from last yr. Good--and bad depending on how you look at is that Fluor takes fed taxes out. So to get your tax exemptions you will have to obviously file at the end of your yr. You have to be out of county 330 days to qualify for the tax exemptions--so only 35 days in county. You get more than that in RR so you need to plan on spending some of your RR out of country if you want the tax exemptions--and I am assuming you will. Your 330 days start when you go wheels up--Ok. So at end of this tax yr you may need to file an extention for filing your taxes. Its important that you use someone-service that is familiar with expat taxes. BUT in answer to your question the good news as far as taxes being taking out each check is that if you do not do a whole yr you will not be in the a big hole to the IRS.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: Does anybody know about the tax information and the penalty if you leave early?

Fluor will take out taxes on you. If you claim your normal exemptions, say single and one, and if you do decide to come home early, you'll probably be in pretty good shape. The benefit is to make it 330 days and take full advantage of the tax exemption.

Jimmy had his federal taxes taken out with KBR last year and it was really nice to have a huge chunk of cash from Uncle Sam.
FLUOR, as far as I can tell, is doing what they told Jimmy they would be doing. He got paid the amount that he was supposed to and when he was supposed to. I understand that the folks with work with DYNA CORP are still having issues just getting paid.

They are still working out some bugs at my old goats camp, but they are doing it. Right now, they have only 5 phones and only 340 or so folks waiting to use them.

If you do find out what your base is, I can give you a pretty good idea of what you'll be bringing home every two weeks.

While Jimmy's son was in Afghanistan, they both had Afghany cell phones to talk between each other. And every once in a blue moon, Jimmy would call me, and if they planets were all lined up, we had a decent conversation. Sometime, not.

This has been a huge learning experience for us. So, let me toss this into the mix, as what was my biggest mistake!
I recieved notice that my wonderful (I have planned to retire from there) job was moving to another city. I had just moved into our new home when I got the news........I was really upset about everything and Jimmy is not only my hubby, but also, my best friend.......yada yada yada. Well, I used My cell phone to call his cell phone, and honey, I got a HUGE cell phone bill over $1000.00 from T-Mobile. I could have just died! But I did learn something........

Good Luck to all of ya'll that are going to Greenville soon!
Kathy

More info on the B-Huts:
Jimmy shares his B-hut with 8 other guys. It is just a plywood shack.
His figures that his room size is 7' x 8'. The brick and mortar rooms are about 7' x 7'. You have to walk about 200 yards to go to the latrine and shower. Jimmy doesn't complain much about the heating and ac, so it must be okay. He also said that it was 100 degrees there today. Gee whiz, it's in the 30's here.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: Cool...I hope to find out that information soon. I also assume that it's over 100K right?

Ok I am trying to recall formula for figuring out your annual income off the top of my head.

Take your monthly base pay–recruiter quoted you and multiply it by12= annual base pay.
Now take your annual base pay and divide it by 52 weeks= weekly pay.
Now divide you weekly base pay by 40 hrs and you will get your hrly rate.
Now take you weekly pay base ( for 40 hr again) and multiply it by 80 percent uplift= which equals your weekly uplift pay. (Remember you only get uplifts on your first 40 hr worked.
But you are working 84 hrs a week–will get paid for.)
So now take your hrly rate you figured and multiply it by an additional 44 hr a week you will work=

Now add Number for first 40s worked in a week+ number for uplifts paid on first 40 hrs worked in a week+ number for other 44 hrs you work in a week paid on a straight hrly rate= your weekly income.

To use as an example

5000.00 base multiply by 12= 60,000.00 annual base pay
60,000.00 annual base pay divided by 52=1153.00 weekly for a 40 hr week
1153.00 divided by 40 hr week =28.82 an hr.
1153.00 multiplied by 80 percent=922.00 uplifts a week.
28.82 hr ly rate multiplied by the additional 44 hrs you put in a week=1268.00

Now add these 3 numbers together.
1153.00 weekly base pay for 40 hrs
922.00 weekly uplifts at 80 percent on the first 40 hrs worked
1268.00 weekly income earned on the remain 44 hrs worked on a 84 hr week

3343.00 weekly X by 52= roughly your annual income. ( on a 5000.00 base)

However you do have to factor/subtract out your RR time. Which they only pay you for 40 hrs a week for, but they are also giving you 40 percent uplifts on those 40 hrs of RR pay. And then you get RR pay for your travel which is a chunk of change especially when multiplied by 4 a yr and then there is your sign on bonus and your e

Sorry got cut off:
To repeat and finish:

However you do have to factor/subtract out your RR time. Which they only pay you for 40 hrs a week for, but they are also giving you 40 percent uplifts on those 40 hrs of RR pay. And then you get RR pay for your travel which is a chunk of change especially when multiplied by 4 a yr and then there is your sign on bonus and your end of the yr contact.

Sorry if the formula sounds more complicated than it actually is. This is just how I remember it.

Oh Kathy! I am so sorry that happened to you. I was so excited when hubby called to say he got his afghan cell phone. He ask me to call him to make sure it worked. So I did with my T mobile–OMG, turns out it was 2.99 minute. When I called the company about they did offer me 1.99 a minute international package. Yeah right. But that’s when I learned txt messages were only .20 cents per. Cost to send and to receive txts–so our cell bill is running about 40.00 more amth. But that’s why I went looking for pre paid minutes to use with my cell phone so I could call him and he could conserve his minutes. Found enjoy pre paid cards, and it’s 30 cents a minute for me to call him. With enjoy calling cards I dial into a local number first so there are no charges to my cell phone–since I have the local number as one of my T-mobile fav fives.

My advice is that those going overseas–specially those that have never been before and are learning the ropes of now–and for your love ones staying behind that you call your stateside cell and landline services and get the low down on cost for international calls and txts before you ‘experiment’ from over there.

Ideally, you want to get access to a landline with a stateside number over there–cause cells are more expensive–no matter how creative you get. And as mentioned right now landlines are a bit of a issue over there because of current limits of–that yeah they are working to build up. Hubby new camp has finally been built up enough that he has access to a landline in offices–with a stateside number so I put that into my T-mobile fav five–and I can now call him for free–if he is near the offices.

(Con’t)

With a landline, you can also use nobel pre paid minutes I mentioned before and have it cost you only pennies a minute. And if your loveones have national packages for say a landline services at home it may work out that they can call you free. Heard tell many call from overseas phone–letting phone ring to give a cue via caller ID for their love one to call them back. I mean you just got to be creative, and do a bit of trial and error to find what works best for you.

And just to be clear for those of you that do not know. Your US cell phone will not–usually won’t-- work over there. (I have heard of a rare exception). So you will have to buy an afghanistan cell phone if you want to use a cell phone. ( and because of overcrowding–these are appealing right now) Off the top of my head seems it was about 240.00 for hubby to buy his phone and sim card to get started. Then he buys minutes–that are like 55.00 a pop. However, as Kathy said service can be sporadic for. We have major issue with when hubby is in BAF. But his afghan cell works great when he is at his out laying camps.

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: 91,500 is tax exempt as of this year--went up a hundred from last yr. Good--and bad depending on how you look at is that Fluor takes fed taxes out. So to get your tax exemptions you will have to obviously file at the end of your yr. You have to be out of county 330 days to qualify for the tax exemptions--so only 35 days in county. You get more than that in RR so you need to plan on spending some of your RR out of country if you want the tax exemptions--and I am assuming you will. Your 330 days start when you go wheels up--Ok. So at end of this tax yr you may need to file an extention for filing your taxes. Its important that you use someone-service that is familiar with expat taxes. BUT in answer to your question the good news as far as taxes being taking out each check is that if you do not do a whole yr you will not be in the a big hole to the IRS.

I take it that it would probably be best to spend as much time as you can out of the country so you won't have to pay taxes. Thanks for the information.

Nashville Kat in Tennessee said: Fluor will take out taxes on you. If you claim your normal exemptions, say single and one, and if you do decide to come home early, you'll probably be in pretty good shape. The benefit is to make it 330 days and take full advantage of the tax exemption.

Jimmy had his federal taxes taken out with KBR last year and it was really nice to have a huge chunk of cash from Uncle Sam.
FLUOR, as far as I can tell, is doing what they told Jimmy they would be doing. He got paid the amount that he was supposed to and when he was supposed to. I understand that the folks with work with DYNA CORP are still having issues just getting paid.

They are still working out some bugs at my old goats camp, but they are doing it. Right now, they have only 5 phones and only 340 or so folks waiting to use them.

If you do find out what your base is, I can give you a pretty good idea of what you'll be bringing home every two weeks.

Thank you for the information.

How does the R&R spending money works.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: I take it that it would probably be best to spend as much time as you can out of the country so you won't have to pay taxes. Thanks for the information.

You just need to keep your time in US including territory and soil of--at no more than 35 days in a yr span. (And by yr I mean from the day you go wheels up) Make sure too--you track these dates well. What with the time change and such when you are coming and going and passport stamps.

U really need to plan on spending at least two of your RRs out of US soil. Unless u plan on breaking you RRs up--like coming to the states or to US soil for a week and then being out of US- territory and soil too- for the second week. We are doing every other. Hubby comes home for the one then we meet out of country for the next. We are trying to find a reg go to place we like--like say mexico for his out of US RRs. And then on occasion we will add something more exotic to the mix.

So if there are places you and or your loveones have always wanted to go and see--now is the time to plan for. The RR pay is pretty good--so it helps offset the expenses of.

nabisko32 in Hollywood, Florida said: How does the R&R spending money works.

Ok, I have heard it can be as high as 4200.00 a RR==posted on other forums here in indeed. I think hubby is a little less than though. So to get annual RR pay just times your RR pay by 4 a yr--it a good chunk of change, regardless.

Also one factor to consider with RR pay. It can flex around renewal of contract time owing to jet-fuel expenses which will be reflected in the price of your plane tickets. So if you recall over the moon fuel prices summer before last--well RR pay was higher then.

And to be clear you do not get your RR pay until after you get back from RR. So your first RR is going to be out of your own pocket so to speak. When you get back overseas--it take about 2 checks--4 weeks as I recall-for you to see it reflected on your check.

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Ok, I have heard it can be as high as 4200.00 a RR==posted on other forums here in indeed. I think hubby is a little less than though. So to get annual RR pay just times your RR pay by 4 a yr--it a good chunk of change, regardless.

Also one factor to consider with RR pay. It can flex around renewal of contract time owing to jet-fuel expenses which will be reflected in the price of your plane tickets. So if you recall over the moon fuel prices summer before last--well RR pay was higher then.

And to be clear you do not get your RR pay until after you get back from RR. So your first RR is going to be out of your own pocket so to speak. When you get back overseas--it take about 2 checks--4 weeks as I recall-for you to see it reflected on your check.

Ok I was figuring that if I only spent the R&R pay. I would beable to save alot of money. Since I have no kids and no bills once I leave.

I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

nabisko32@yahoo.com

Few other notes I might add for those of you off to Greenville soon:

Ok about sign on bonus–read fine print of your contract. If you do not finish yr you have to pay it back. And with regards to last RR in your year’s contract. If you decide to demob and not re’up for another/second yr. Fluor will only reverse you for the cost of your ‘last’ plane ticket home. You will get your end of year bonus of course since you fulfilled your yrs’ contract with them but they will not pay you your last RR pay–just reverse you for the cost of your plane ticket home. Make sense?

Ok I am off to go finish up a article. Best of luck to all.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

Wonderful news!!! I know there was a spread sheet floating around for KBR, but this is great news for those going with Fluor. I wasn't savvy enough to do it myself.

nabisko32 in Hollywood, Florida said: nabisko32@yahoo.com

Sent as an attachment.

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Wonderful news!!! I know there was a spread sheet floating around for KBR, but this is great news for those going with Fluor. I wasn't savvy enough to do it myself.

I'll make a small webapp as soon as I get some time.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

rpgonzales@gmail.com

Thanks!

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: True. But when the money does start coming back in, it more than compensates for any strapped time. Hubby was happy to take the position they offered him along with the large raise in annual income he recieved. And they have lived up to the letter of thier contract thus far. So we've no complaints.

hey koko i have a question email me at lyte504@yahoo.com

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: You just need to keep your time in US including territory and soil of--at no more than 35 days in a yr span. (And by yr I mean from the day you go wheels up) Make sure too--you track these dates well. What with the time change and such when you are coming and going and passport stamps.

U really need to plan on spending at least two of your RRs out of US soil. Unless u plan on breaking you RRs up--like coming to the states or to US soil for a week and then being out of US- territory and soil too- for the second week. We are doing every other. Hubby comes home for the one then we meet out of country for the next. We are trying to find a reg go to place we like--like say mexico for his out of US RRs. And then on occasion we will add something more exotic to the mix.

So if there are places you and or your loveones have always wanted to go and see--now is the time to plan for. The RR pay is pretty good--so it helps offset the expenses of.

Wow, that's pretty good that you and your husband get to spend some time in another country.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

dmckie97@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: dmckie97@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Sent Mrmonte678. Good luck. Any info on R&R would be great, so I can add it in the spreadsheet.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

decmck@btinternet.com

decmck in Cookstown, United Kingdom said: decmck@btinternet.com

thank you

hello all, I was just curious if anybody has heard if there is a hold up on fuels operators. I went on to their website and they had a bunch earlier this month but now there is nothing. I did the virtual recruiter and the guy called me and said he would forward my information to a hiring manager should only take 2weeks well its almost 3 weeks and still nothing. does anybody know if something is going on or what I should do?

Mrmonte678 in Acworth, Georgia said: Wow, that's pretty good that you and your husband get to spend some time in another country.

Traveling out of country is a pretty common theme–travel/ vacations to other countries for contractors and their families if you are looking to take advantage of the tax exemptions.

lyte504 in houston, Texas said: hey koko i have a question email me at lyte504@yahoo.com

You have mail.

Proleter, can you sendme the excel app...? chris_pansoy@yahoo.com

Chris, decmck sent. Can you sent it to someone who can confirm that calculations are correct. Specially the R&R thing.

Proleter in Strumica, Macedonia said: I created an excel calculator with formulas from Koko Wilson post.
I uploaded it but can't post the link here. If anybody needs it just post your email.
It calculates your yearly pay with uplifts and all, taking the base pay and uplift percents as input data. I doesn't takes the R&R into account.

calderadesign@yahoo.com

Proleter in Skopje, Macedonia said: Chris, decmck sent. Can you sent it to someone who can confirm that calculations are correct. Specially the R&R thing.

Please email me for more confirmed info on RR pay at paperwithwords@yahoo.com for your spread sheet.

I received a called from Fluor about a position on last week March 16, 2010. Even though the recuitor says there's a hiring freeze my resume was sent out to the the department that's hiring my resume stood out for the position I applied for. I was told I would be getting a call back in a week still waiting. The no. showed on my phone as unknown no way of calling back to see what's up. When I checked the Fluor status board for the position it still says Under Review. Any idea of what's going on anyone.

I got a call from a recruiter earlier this month and he said he would forward my resume to the hiring manager. The recruiter said it would take about 2 weeks, but so far I haven't heard anything and its going on over 3 weeks. I know it takes time but I am just wondering if anybody heard anything. Is there a hiring freeze right now?

On Fluor my status says Under Review. I had a phone interview last week was told would get back with me in a week hopefully will get that call before this week is over. Does Under Review mean I might be in the door?

It means that you resume has been actually touched, seen or smelled by a recruiter. :)

Proleter in Skopje, Macedonia said: It means that you resume has been actually touched, seen or smelled by a recruiter. :)

my resume has been smelled serveral times but i guess they choose someone esle.

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: my resume has been smelled serveral times but i guess they choose someone esle.

At least you know you have a good resume and it gets noticed. I have nothing but pending and other candidate selected, like it doesn't exists. It's somewhere in the bottom of the pile i guess.

Proleter in Skopje, Macedonia said: It means that you resume has been actually touched, seen or smelled by a recruiter. :)

Lol that is exactly what I was thinking!! Yeah you are either very lucky, have a great resume, in demand rare skills, or some combination of these. It seems few people ever get to the stage of "under review" for more then the few seconds it takes them to change the status to "no longer under consideration".