Going to Houston for Processing...

Fan7 in The South said: I was a Log. Coordinator for two years in Iraq. If you haven't already --- get really good with Microsoft Office programs --- .

I loved it...

Good luck

I would have to say that I love it too! There just isn't anything going on here.

Thanks for the advice, I am very well versed in all micro soft applications and many other softwares. I have a accounting background And i learn quickly too. I have over 9 years experience in this particular field, so I think that I'd have a fighting chance of getting an offer from someone. Correct me if I am wrong in assuming that.

But one question, if you don't mind....what was your base pay?? One hears alot of numbers thrown around, but since you were in the same position, you probably would be more on target.

Kindest Regards,
Kathy

Gabriele in Troy, Montana said: LOL Kathy, I can back up straight. But if its on a pickup,, don't put a trailer behind it. And thats why I am keep the little boat and trailer,, all else fails, unhook the thing and run it into the yard. :o)

When I go to horse shows and pull my trailer, I go out of my way to pull straight in and pull straight! That stinkin trailer zigs wne I want it to zag. I need a big field to turn around too! The old goat has tried for years to teach me, but duh, I just don't get it. oh well.

See ya Gabi!
Kathy

monita in South Carolina said: I am so sick of jerks like this. Guess they don't realize it was us HENS that helped most people with what they needed to know. DELETE THAT

AMEN! you couldn't have said it any better!
Take Care!
kathy

alcoa in greenville, South Carolina said: kathy is it ok if i can email you walter

why sure honey! samme007atcomcastdotcom
We had a grand time, and he is back at camp. While jimmy would love us to be at ths same camp, I wouldnt' bet the bank on that happening. Jimmy was told that he would be at the same camp as his boy, and that didn't happen.

Hugs to you Walter!
Kathy

nick in houston in Houston, Texas said: perfect. thanks

if you need or want, I have a spreadsheet that you can use to figure out everything but your federal and state taxes if you elect to have them taken out.

Somebody sent it to me ages ago and I'll be glad to share with you.

Kathy

Fan7 in The South said: I was a Log. Coordinator for two years in Iraq. If you haven't already --- get really good with Microsoft Office programs --- you will use Outlook, Excel, Access, and Word on a daily basis. I also used Powerpoint a lot as well, but it depends on where you work. I would become familiar with it just in case.

I was pretty busy in my section, but there was only 2 of us -- me and my supervisor. Some Log. Coordinators are more busy than others, just depends on where you are and what you are assigned to. The common theme is lots of reports, spreadsheets, databases, etc...

I loved it...

Good luck

would you mind sharing some of your knowledge off board?? I would love to ask you some questions regarding the position. THANKS A MILLION!

Kathy

Nashville Kat in Tennessee said: I would have to say that I love it too! There just isn't anything going on here.

Thanks for the advice, I am very well versed in all micro soft applications and many other softwares. I have a accounting background And i learn quickly too. I have over 9 years experience in this particular field, so I think that I'd have a fighting chance of getting an offer from someone. Correct me if I am wrong in assuming that.

But one question, if you don't mind....what was your base pay?? One hears alot of numbers thrown around, but since you were in the same position, you probably would be more on target.

Kindest Regards,
Kathy

At the time I was there, it was $3057. I don't know if that has changed or not!

Nashville Kat in Tennessee said: would you mind sharing some of your knowledge off board?? I would love to ask you some questions regarding the position. THANKS A MILLION!

Kathy

Sure, I will try to answer any questions that I can. I will answer your emails as quickly as possible; however, sometimes it may take a day or two.

gracieunderfireATjunoDOTcom

Nashville Kat in Tennessee said: if you need or want, I have a spreadsheet that you can use to figure out everything but your federal and state taxes if you elect to have them taken out.

Somebody sent it to me ages ago and I'll be glad to share with you.

Kathy

Miss Kathy,
My brother still uses that spreadsheet. Thank you for sending it to me. It made me look smart! HA It works!!!

Question.

Is processing 7 days a week or do you have weekends off? I did processing for a nuke plant and we had weekends off, then again we were being paid for it.

Thanks

Gabriele in Troy, Montana said: You know, quite a few of the people now complaining not only wanted answers from us hens and roosters, but also shot the breeze with us... Gasp, omg. We are evil, sucking in unsuspecting posters. :)

LOL

socalna in west coast, California said: Thanks love all you my friends on here>

And we feel the same about you Tony

jdcs wife in Southern, California said: should we change our name to the hen- hens istead of the yayas..... Haha...miss u guys

LOL

What is a B site?

Carl Ballow in Baqubah, Iraq said: I have seen alot of post about having to have a passport prior to arriving in Houston is this a change because when I went through about 20 months ago KBR loaded everyone up on a bus that needed a passport and drove into houston to the federal building and you got your passport the following day and KBR footed the bill.

Hi Carl, good to see you over here. The passport policy did change. On about March 1st 2009 or so- you were then required to have your passport before arriving for processing. Hubby went in for processing Feb 22nd and I think there was only one other group that got through after him without passports. In fact they started to call people after that that were already scheduled to come in–and if you did not have a passport then processing date was postponed. So having passport in hand is now one of the first things u need to do. And its good to make this clear on your resume too. “have passport and will travel’. =) Appreciate all the help you have offered others. Best of luck on your new job.

Anyone feel free to correct me but, I think the B sites are smaller and rougher, as far as the living arrangement. Rules more rigid, vaguely remember Marines being mentioned too--where you may be able to have internet access use of cell phones elsewhere, they may deny it–but I think a lot of these sites were closing in the draw down.

Where’s T at? He would know. Have not seen him for a while, hope he is ok.

Kathy best of luck to you. How exiting.

Hello everyone :)

Gabriele in Troy, Montana said: How about cluck-cluck-club? :D

I like that Gabi. =)

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Anyone feel free to correct me but, I think the B sites are smaller and rougher, as far as the living arrangement. Rules more rigid, vaguely remember Marines being mentioned too--where you may be able to have internet access use of cell phones elsewhere, they may deny it–but I think a lot of these sites were closing in the draw down.

Where’s T at? He would know. Have not seen him for a while, hope he is ok.

Kathy best of luck to you. How exiting.

That's what I thought, Paul said this morning they have an opening for a truck driver at a B site. I told him he needs to think about staying right where he is because I remembered what someone said a while back about those marine bases. thanks Koko.

AMY in Brooklyn, New York said: Hello everyone :)

Hi Amy, you excited?

OOOOOYYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH :)I am still waiting on my background check,so hopefully I hear something this week.How you doing?

Gabriele in Troy, Montana said: Can anyone tell me what simms card would be best for hubby to buy so I can call him? He has no clue of the differences and I am not there to check them out. Any advice would be appreciated. Also, what way would be the best way for me to call Iraq? Calling card or is there a plan I can get somewhere? My phone provider charges 1.95 per minute,, that is sooo not happening.

Have to have an unlocked cell phone in order to use sim cards that works in Iraq and or Afhganistan-Kiwat, Dubai ( and sometimes you have to have a different one for each country) . Lots of the ‘old timers’ will carry around unlock cells phones and sim cards then it is just a matter of snapping in the sim card that works–while they travel.

Lot of stateside servers will not allow it-unlock your cell–for you to put another sim card in. But you can 1. Call and ask them. 2. Buy an unlocked cell phone to use overseas–like on ebay or online, or 3. buy a cell phone/ sim card package over there that works. Cost per minute very–but it about 17-30 cents a minute. In coming calls are for them over there are usually free though–however, not always for the caller–my cell service wanted 2.99 minute so that did not work out so well for us. However, enjoy cards are affiliated with nobel cards and I was able to get a good deal from them for minutes that work from my cell phone to hubby’s cell phone he bought in Afghanistan. But–I think– if I had a landline, which I do not have, I could use the nobel cards from to call hubby’s cell too and that would be much cheaper.

Hubby bought his unlocked cell phone with sims and minutes in Afghanistan–it’s a Roshan. But I see Motorola has phones/ packages that work in the middle east. But Gabi he should be able to go to the PX or some of these companies over there even have offices/ shops on the bases and they will be able to direct him which sim card to get that works best.

PS here’s a tip--txting is pretty cheap. Only about 20 cents a txt.

AMY in Brooklyn, New York said: OOOOOYYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH :)I am still waiting on my background check,so hopefully I hear something this week.How you doing?

Doing great hon, and very happy for you. Does your Dad know you are right behind him? :)

monita in South Carolina said: Doing great hon, and very happy for you. Does your Dad know you are right behind him? :)

Yes :)

AGUISON4 in Magnolia, Texas said: I thought they only take out insurance out ?so they do take out SS ? wow that check gets lower and lower uh??

They used to not take SS out, so that probably where the mix up comes in. There was some sort of class action suit or other against 'em and now they have been required to take SS & FICA out. Its a good thing too though, cause you want your points/credits for later-- if you have plans to retire–well, that’s banking on the idea that SS will still be there. =) Anyrate they take SS and FICA out it is about 7.25 of your pay–and your employer actually meets this with 7.25/ so total paid is 12.5.

iwanttoworkiniraq in Texarkana, Arkansas said: Hello. I may be getting a job offer but am wondering whether to take it or not. I've heard some people went over there and came right back because of hiring freezes, that people get fired easily, etc. And do you really make 84k a year? Where do you live, in a tent? Does anyone live in the embassy over there? What about working as a postal clerk over there? Is that a stable job there? thanks for any help

Lots of rumors and it seems some people were and or have been affected by the hiring freeze and draw down. But hiring appears to be back on again. As far as pay it depends on what position you are hired for. Some people make more than that. But as a rule most people are making double or triple of what they would be making stateside for the same position–jobs wise. The pay does reflect the hardships of the positions–obviously it is a war zone so there are dangers–and you are away from family and friends, and you may find yourself living in a tent with limited amenities.

Living arrangements depends on the camp and what is available. Most have tents and Chu–which are tin living containers–like a house trailer, with room for a wardrobe, bed, maybe a desk and if you are lucky a pvt bath. Sometimes these are shared to–IE you will have roommates.

Some companies hire for work at the embassy–though I am not sure of the living arrangements but I know I have ran across them–try PAE which is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. I believe they hire for embassy support.

Mail Clerks a good position if you have the qualifications for–least wise you will be less likely to have to work out in the sometimes unforgiving environs/weather like some of the trades do.

whatsthegreenwirefor in Navarre, Florida said: Question.

Is processing 7 days a week or do you have weekends off? I did processing for a nuke plant and we had weekends off, then again we were being paid for it.

Thanks

Processing for KBR was u started it and then you were not done until it finished--so yes you maybe working weekends. Depends on the rush. My hubby was pretty much done in 5 days but he stayed on another 5 days as he waited for a flight. When hubby was there, they got a weekend off--so to speak, they were still there--unless they lived close enough they could get back home. Used to be too that you had to check in for a meeting every night--but I am not sure if they do that anymore. The trick is to be where they tell you to be when you've somepleace to be. You miss something and you risk being sent home.

whatsthegreenwirefor in Navarre, Florida said: Question.

Is processing 7 days a week or do you have weekends off? I did processing for a nuke plant and we had weekends off, then again we were being paid for it.

Thanks

PS some of the companies working over there do actually pay you while you are in processing. KBR is not one of them.

AMY in Brooklyn, New York said: OOOOOYYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH :)I am still waiting on my background check,so hopefully I hear something this week.How you doing?

So Amy in New York when did they u that u were going to H town?? I'm pretty sure ur background is back already call KBR .What position are u going for? are you ready ??

AGUISON4 in Magnolia, Texas said: So Amy in New York when did they u that u were going to H town?? I'm pretty sure ur background is back already call KBR .What position are u going for? are you ready ??

17th of this month I got an offer for food service worker position.I did my backround on Monday 21 and still waiting.I will give them a call tomorrow.Yeah I am ready to go.How about you?

Waiting for my background check also. Someone said that you could call a 800 number to find out how you did, but I couldn't find it

Do you know if you can have pills to control diabetes, or will any diabetic condition disqualify you?

Sometimes they do not contact u with background results–if there are no issues. Its often a case of no news is good news. And the fact that everything moves forward–travel papers come in your email, means it is ok. They will however get a hold of you if there is any issues that would stop you from moving forward with processing.

Dirk McDougal in Rome, Georgia said: Waiting for my background check also. Someone said that you could call a 800 number to find out how you did, but I couldn't find it

You can find the number in your KBR background information form email.good luck

Dirk McDougal in Rome, Georgia said: Do you know if you can have pills to control diabetes, or will any diabetic condition disqualify you?

Dirk I went looking for some more info for and 10 mths ago Journee Jones--who works for KBR--research department I beleived, posted that anyone with Tope 1 or 2 diabetic condition, was not be eligible. So I guess the question is what Type do you have?

Oops typp: Type 1 or 2

I can't see the posts

Dirk McDougal in Rome, Georgia said: Waiting for my background check also. Someone said that you could call a 800 number to find out how you did, but I couldn't find it

there is an 800 number but they will not give you personal and confidential information even when its is yours they don't know who they are talking to on the phone. If you marked the little box when you were doing your background check that you wanted a confirmation email of your of your background check then and only then can you find out in advance how you did. When you recieve your email back there will be another highlighted website of accurate background to click on and then another set of login and password that will be different than your original to open your personal information. Other than that check with your recruiter those are the only two ways to find out.

Type 2

well, I guess mix feelings and all ? you know everything is so out of place . Are u going to Iraq? They told me very little about the job so I guess I will just wait and see what happens Starting a new job Monday JUST IN case it dont happen > bUT i am pretty much done as long as the back ground comes back ok??

AGUISON4 in Magnolia, Texas said: well, I guess mix feelings and all ? you know everything is so out of place . Are u going to Iraq? They told me very little about the job so I guess I will just wait and see what happens Starting a new job Monday JUST IN case it dont happen > bUT i am pretty much done as long as the back ground comes back ok??

I am going to Afghanistan :)

AGUISON4 in Magnolia, Texas said: well, I guess mix feelings and all ? you know everything is so out of place . Are u going to Iraq? They told me very little about the job so I guess I will just wait and see what happens Starting a new job Monday JUST IN case it dont happen > bUT i am pretty much done as long as the back ground comes back ok??

They should of told you everything about the job(pay,location).Did you have a briefing over the phone with your recruiter?

yes ,They explain somewhat about the position ,but they tell you enough I guess and the rest well you have to wait and see ? I know the pay and all I guess I am not use to having an offer over the phone ?? Just want to more informed just lie everboby else ? You know the pros and cons about the job and so forth ? I guess I will find out Monday I hope ?? so you leave on the ?? 11?

AGUISON4 in Magnolia, Texas said: yes ,They explain somewhat about the position ,but they tell you enough I guess and the rest well you have to wait and see ? I know the pay and all I guess I am not use to having an offer over the phone ?? Just want to more informed just lie everboby else ? You know the pros and cons about the job and so forth ? I guess I will find out Monday I hope ?? so you leave on the ?? 11?

My recruiter informed me about everything what I need to know :)Yes 11.

Cool They got you pretty square away uh! Good for you .so you will be in HOUSTON for a week then ??

AMY in Brooklyn, New York said: They should of told you everything about the job(pay,location).Did you have a briefing over the phone with your recruiter?

Your pay should be what they say but location can change at any moment.

Dirk McDougal in Rome, Georgia said: Type 2

Dirk, they will do a blood screen for–cause I believe that was your original question & type 1& 2 will make you ineligible–unless that has changed in the last 10ths. I believe there was some confusion over the medication–injectable or otherwise. And that still remains in question, so I really think you should ask your recruiter. Frankly, I am surprised that you have not had some screening questions already from your recruiter and or that they did not make it clear to you what would automatically make you ineligible. As I recall these issues were made clear in the pre-screening call before the conference call. There is the big three, BP, and Type 1 & 2 diabetes, and any issues with drug screen as far as medical and now there is also BMI; body mass index that has to be under 40%. Best of luck.

socalna in west coast, California said: Your pay should be what they say but location can change at any moment.

Yup,my recruiter told me and I know from experience of my friends and family that in Houston they can change your location,position and even pay,so its nothing definitely until you get to your location and actually start working :)

Koko Wilson in Altamonte Springs, Florida said: Dirk, they will do a blood screen for–cause I believe that was your original question & type 1& 2 will make you ineligible–unless that has changed in the last 10ths. I believe there was some confusion over the medication–injectable or otherwise. And that still remains in question, so I really think you should ask your recruiter. Frankly, I am surprised that you have not had some screening questions already from your recruiter and or that they did not make it clear to you what would automatically make you ineligible. As I recall these issues were made clear in the pre-screening call before the conference call. There is the big three, BP, and Type 1 & 2 diabetes, and any issues with drug screen as far as medical and now there is also BMI; body mass index that has to be under 40%. Best of luck.

Dirk i would email or call my recruiter and inform him of the diabetes if you go there and you do not disclose this then you will be on your way home without a job.