KBR Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: For those of you have gone thru the processing in Houston.....are you allowed to wear sweatpants/tennis shoes during this process or must you wear jeans and or kakhi's with collared shirt as they mention in the employment packet or is this dress only necessary once you get to Iraq?

I know that you are going to Houston on sunday. So is my husband. Any news on your travel Arrangements? We have heard nothing. Please post when you do hear and i will do the same.Talk about last minute!!!

I think Joe was confused, he thought a 673 meant they would take taxss..but I think it means exempt in foriegn country...am I right?

A 637 does have them take tax money out. In process they recommened that in case you dont do the whole year, then you will owe the irs w. intrest. My husband actually did that 637 as well however they say you can change that at anytime with HR.

He said it was a 673 not a 637, and when I looked it up it said to NOT Tax. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

That's an exemption form...see this link from irs
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f673.pdf

Yes That is the one I looked at, and it exempts the pay from Tax. Does anyone know about State Tax for overseas?

My bad having a ADD moment....it is a 673.

does everyone sign a 673?

Switch....no, i've not heard any word yet on my travel to Houston. Another individual who posts on this site and will be in Houston on Sunday also (Tina Marie) advised that she got her intinerary on yesterday.

I'll advise when I receive mine. I've heard that sometimes it won't show us until as late as the Friday before you're due to fly out.

I applied for a position about two months ago, and I was wondering what is the general time frame for response? How do they contact you and any other helpful information anyone has. Thanks for the help

KBR PROCESSING, DAY 1.

After flying into Houston, you are taken to your hotel where it is beneficial to go directly to bed. Monday morning comes registration. You are given an Itinerary and hand in all the paperwork. Everything seems slow a tedious as there are several hundred candidates. I am one of 370 this week... and there are many holdovers, as they are still backed up from Hurricane Ike. Registration involves filling out some paperwork, turning it in to the proper stations and alot of waiting.

After lunch, you listen to a LOGCAP Welcome speech that lasts an hour, then an hour about Taxes. This is when you fill out your W-4 and you have the option of COMPLETING A FOR 673 FOR EXEMPTION OF WITHHOLDINGS, or signing a WAIVER OF YOUR 673 EXEMPTION TO HAVE FEDERAL TAX WITHHELD. It is your choice! Sign a 673 to get all your money, or don't sign the 673 and have taxes taken out of your check. Also, Social Security is taken out of your check at 6.75 Percent.

After the Tax Brief, comes an Insurance brief from AETNA. This concludes at about 1630 and the men wait around for dinner and transportation. The women, however, have a Female Security briefing which lasts about a half hour.

End of day 1.

adam.covington@mac.com for any questions.

Ciao!
Dimes.

KBR PROCESSING, DAY 2

This is the worst day. It starts with a bus picking you up at the hotel at about 0345. You Head to the processing center and retrieve your Medical chart. You load the Bus again and you are off to the Drug Testing site. Expect to stand in line for about an hour. Once completed, you get back on the bus. Once the bus is full, you are on the way to the Clinic, which is actually an old production plant with trailers in it. After checking in and getting your blood pressure checked, you are instructed to head to different trailers for different processes. Chest X-rays, Blood drawn, Ear test. Pulmonary Function test, Vaccinations, Eye exam and a full physical.

Once completed with the physical, you wait for approximately 2-3 hours. When they call your name, you are ready to go back to the DPC. At the DPC, You do a short Anti-Terrorism training function on the computer. Takes about an hour. I was back to the hotel at about 1515.

FYI. If you DO NOT have a passport, your start with the medical process AFTER you have finished at the passport office. Makes for a very long day.

More to come tomorrow.

questions at adam.covington@mac.com

Ciao!
Dimes.

ALSO, I have a pay Calculation sheet that I made in Excel Format. Tells you EXACTLY what you will be paid. Enter your base pay, uplift and hours worked and it breaks it down for you!

Ciao!
Dimes.

Dimes....thanks so much for this info...it's extremely helpful. Question, are you able to wear sweatpants/sweatshirt type clothing during processing or do you have to wear the KBR mandatory jeans/khaki's and collared shirt?

That is true, my husband got his the Friday same weekend he was going.

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Switch....no, i've not heard any word yet on my travel to Houston. Another individual who posts on this site and will be in Houston on Sunday also (Tina Marie) advised that she got her intinerary on yesterday.

I'll advise when I receive mine. I've heard that sometimes it won't show us until as late as the Friday before you're due to fly out.

Hi, we just received his travel arrangements!!! It was in my Spam. Good luck, let me know when you get yours, i bet its soon.

I also forgot to mention, Regarding the 673 tax form. That can be changed at any time, No problem. The sooner the better.

Ciao!
Dimes

Switch...glad to hear your husband received his travel itinerary. I still haven't received mine yet. You said his was in your Spam folder...was it identified as being from KBR?

The email for your travel arrangements will have, in the subject line, "FW: (Last name, First name) Travel Itinerary traveling on (Date)"

Ciao!
Dimes

Dimes, can u make that excel pay calculation available? Great info by the way.

Thanks,
BP

thx dimes...

I sure can, BP. Email me at adam.covington@mac.com and I will shoot it along....

And you are welcome Oluwakemi

Ciao!
Dimes.

Any of you coming this sunday, You will see me around the DPC. Big fat white guy always laughing and talking smack to other people.... Im a Riot! HAHAHA

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Switch...glad to hear your husband received his travel itinerary. I still haven't received mine yet. You said his was in your Spam folder...was it identified as being from KBR?

Hes right. It was a woman name in the sender box, no KBR.

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: The email for your travel arrangements will have, in the subject line, "FW: (Last name, First name) Travel Itinerary traveling on (Date)"

Ciao!
Dimes

Dimes, when you confirmed you just sent an email back to that person right?
Then we got a confirmation email saying if we didnt hear from travel by saturday call recruiter. Do they call you on the phone?

Dimes, can you give me some information on the initial recruiting process. How long after you applied did you hear from a recruiter. How did they contact you, and any additional info you find helpful. Thanks for all the help

switch in Austin, Texas said: Dimes, when you confirmed you just sent an email back to that person right?
Then we got a confirmation email saying if we didnt hear from travel by saturday call recruiter. Do they call you on the phone?

Yeah, just reply to the Email saying you received it. No need to call anyone. I didnt have to anyways.

Dimes

madogg in Valparaiso, Indiana said: Dimes, can you give me some information on the initial recruiting process. How long after you applied did you hear from a recruiter. How did they contact you, and any additional info you find helpful. Thanks for all the help

Sometimes it takes a day, sometimes a few months. The HR Manager in Kosovo when I was there is now a LOGCAP recruiter, so I just called him and he hooked me up. I really cant give you any accurate info about the Recruiting process other then apply online, apply often... for any job you think you can do. Just flood them with your resume.

Sorry I can't help more.
Dimes

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: Sometimes it takes a day, sometimes a few months. The HR Manager in Kosovo when I was there is now a LOGCAP recruiter, so I just called him and he hooked me up. I really cant give you any accurate info about the Recruiting process other then apply online, apply often... for any job you think you can do. Just flood them with your resume.

Sorry I can't help more.
Dimes

Hey Dimes can you make that Excel Pay Calculation available on your Blog?

switch in Austin, Texas said: Hey Dimes can you make that Excel Pay Calculation available on your Blog?

Ill take a look and see if I can post it on there, Didn't think anyone read that SH***Y blog, haha

Going to bed.
Ciao!
Dimes.

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: I sure can, BP. Email me at adam.covington@mac.com and I will shoot it along....

And you are welcome Oluwakemi

Ciao!
Dimes.

Any of you coming this sunday, You will see me around the DPC. Big fat white guy always laughing and talking smack to other people.... Im a Riot! HAHAHA

he's just like FARVA from Super Troopers...my friend said with a mix of Stiffler I think?

My husband left Sunday for Houston...other than a lot of paperwork, he seems to be doing well. He is supposed to leave Monday for Afghanistan. He is an electrician.

C. Boatman in Rockford, Illinois said: My husband left Sunday for Houston...other than a lot of paperwork, he seems to be doing well. He is supposed to leave Monday for Afghanistan. He is an electrician.

hi c. boatman - i wish him luck. mine just went over about a month ago.

Sharon Fogleman in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: hi c. boatman - i wish him luck. mine just went over about a month ago.

Sharon,

Can you give me information on the amount of time after your husband applied that he received a response. Also how did KBR get in contact with him. How does he feel about the conditions. Anything else you would find helpful. Thanks for the help

New to this site. looking for info on the MWR Coordinator. I was wondering if anyone knew the specific job responsibilities, pay for this position, and if there was a recruiter I could get in touch with. If anyone has any other info that should be considered, please let me know.

Thanks.
John

Hi everyone,
I have been offered a position as a MCT in Camp Victory- south, Baghdad. I have completed my WABI and submitted my background info. I start processing in Houston on or around Nov. 10. I have to go to PSM academy. If anyone can answer any of these questions I would greatly appreciate it.
1. How long is the process at the PSM academy?
2. How long is processing at Dubai?
3. I heard Camp Victory numbers are local Houston #s; will I still need a calling card?
4. Do they have a workout facility available?
5. How are the conditions for women, I heard horror stories?.?
6. I am African American, is it hard finding hair products for black women at the PX?
7. The packing list provided seemed intensive, but the baggage allowance doesn?t seem to allow for everything?any tips on packing?
8. Living quarters?tents or trailers, one person per or two?

C. Boatman in Rockford, Illinois said: My husband left Sunday for Houston...other than a lot of paperwork, he seems to be doing well. He is supposed to leave Monday for Afghanistan. He is an electrician.

Mine is going to Houston this sunday. That was a quick turnaround if he leaves on monday. Thats 8 days to process. Does he already have flight details ? Good for him !

millied in Raleigh, North Carolina said: I have a question about the flight ticket. I was told that you could get a ticket cheaper yourself, but if there is a delay or lay over in transisition to home or back, you just lose your money if you miss your flight. Is this true or is there another way.

All new hires I suggest that you get in a Frequent flier program....as you going to put in a lot of miles RR etc.
I did 3 years with KBR and on some flights I get upgraded first class free.
It is free to join and has a lot of benefits.
Also always think security, be careful what information you give on this forum.
Good luck to you all and God Bless.

Okay gang...I finally received my travel itinerary to travel to Houston on Sunday today. For those of you who have participated in this forum and plan to be in Houston next week as well, I hope to have a chance to meet you. Take care!

P.S.--I took my suitcase to my local Post Office today for weighing (free of charge) to ensure I stayed within the 44# limitation, and I'm good to go.

Govany Perony in Houston said: All new hires I suggest that you get in a Frequent flier program....as you going to put in a lot of miles RR etc.
I did 3 years with KBR and on some flights I get upgraded first class free.
It is free to join and has a lot of benefits.
Also always think security, be careful what information you give on this forum.
Good luck to you all and God Bless.

Great advice!! My daughter is coming home on her first R & R in a week and I reminded her to sign up for frequent flyer miles.. just in case she hadn't yet.
Good point about being careful on here as you never know! Good luck!

Anybody know of a new Army rule that all contract employees working on any base
have to be American Born Citizens and not Naturalized?

Sassynwitty in Killeen, Texas said: Great advice!! My daughter is coming home on her first R & R in a week and I reminded her to sign up for frequent flyer miles.. just in case she hadn't yet.
Good point about being careful on here as you never know! Good luck!

sassynwitty - what do you mean about being careful on here?

Sharon Fogleman in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: sassynwitty - what do you mean about being careful on here?

Hi Sharon, I am with Govany on this because I work for a large company and there are certain things that are part of a signed contract that is not supposed to be shared with anyone and one of them is probably pay. There are so many ways things can be traced online that it is best to not to talk about that an open forum because you never know who might be "looking". I am so used to cover all the bases and my own back and we don't need to give anyone a reason to end our employment prematurely before it even started in this kind of economy.
It's a good forum... and lately there has been a lot more humor which gave it a great balance.
My daughter hadn't signed up for Freq Flyer Miles.. she did today, thanks to a reminder on here! Take care!

What is everyone wearing out in Iraq for work, blue jeans or khakis or both? thanks

redbuddafly in Houston, Texas said: Hi everyone,
I have been offered a position as a MCT in Camp Victory- south, Baghdad. I have completed my WABI and submitted my background info. I start processing in Houston on or around Nov. 10. I have to go to PSM academy. If anyone can answer any of these questions I would greatly appreciate it.
1. How long is the process at the PSM academy?
2. How long is processing at Dubai?
3. I heard Camp Victory numbers are local Houston #s; will I still need a calling card?
4. Do they have a workout facility available?
5. How are the conditions for women, I heard horror stories?.?
6. I am African American, is it hard finding hair products for black women at the PX?
7. The packing list provided seemed intensive, but the baggage allowance doesn?t seem to allow for everything?any tips on packing?
8. Living quarters?tents or trailers, one person per or two?

Red, I'll try your ???'s one at a time:
1. I don't know what the PSM Academy is.
2. You will probably be at Dubai about 1-3 days.
3. You won't need a calling card, they have lines that can call the Houston Metro area.
4. The MWR is full of workout stuff at Camp Victory.
5. My wife is going back for her 3rd tour.
6. My wife is also AA or Black I prefer, she keeps her hair straight - although she was a licensed hairdresser.
7. If you are going to Victory, the PX there is big. Take clothes, toiletries and order additional stuff on the web and have it sent to you via mail.
8. My wife lived in a trailer type building where she had one side that she could lock, another person had the other side that she could lock and they shared a bathroom.
I am going back as well (to another location) and I am scheduled to start my processing on 11/10 as well.

Hey Everyone,

It has been brought to my attention by a VERY credible source that this forum is monitored sometimes by KBR and I will no longer post information about processing, other than answering specific questions. Also, you can get any info you want by emailing me at adam.covington@mac.com

Ciao!
Dimes.

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: Hey Everyone,

It has been brought to my attention by a VERY credible source that this forum is monitored sometimes by KBR and I will no longer post information about processing, other than answering specific questions. Also, you can get any info you want by emailing me at adam.covington@mac.com

Ciao!
Dimes.

I wouldn't think sharing general processing info causing any problems. Companies are usually super sensitive when it comes to things like exchanging pay scales openly and also the "disgruntled employee" issues with the "pending" scenarios. Lots of helpful general info in this forum and you are such a hoot and provide a fresh perspective with your natural energy! Way to go, Dimes.. and a MAC user too?! Awesome! Good luck to you!

Adam Covington in Gallatin, Tennessee said: Hey Everyone,

It has been brought to my attention by a VERY credible source that this forum is monitored sometimes by KBR and I will no longer post information about processing, other than answering specific questions. Also, you can get any info you want by emailing me at adam.covington@mac.com

Ciao!
Dimes.

hahaha, the MAN threatened ya...

Sassynwitty in Killeen, Texas said: I wouldn't think sharing general processing info causing any problems. Companies are usually super sensitive when it comes to things like exchanging pay scales openly and also the "disgruntled employee" issues with the "pending" scenarios. Lots of helpful general info in this forum and you are such a hoot and provide a fresh perspective with your natural energy! Way to go, Dimes.. and a MAC user too?! Awesome! Good luck to you!

today, they specifically said stay off blogs...lol

Yes...KBR monitors all the sites. I always caution people about using their real names, even on my blog. KBR would like it very much if people didn't talk to each other at all. They have that whole "treat our employees like mushrooms" thing going on.

But until you sign the paper...they don't own you. You're not obligated till then. And even then...you won't actually work for KBR. You work for SEII.

There's nothing on these forums and blogs that affects operational security (OPSEC)You're going to Iraq and Afghanistan to support the troops that fight for your freedoms. Don't just give those freedoms up to KBR without a fight.

To protect your family that is working in Iraq and Afghanistan email directly or keep it vague.

Ms Sparky
mssparky.com/

Oluwakemi in Tulsa, Oklahoma said: Okay gang...I finally received my travel itinerary to travel to Houston on Sunday today. For those of you who have participated in this forum and plan to be in Houston next week as well, I hope to have a chance to meet you. Take care!

P.S.--I took my suitcase to my local Post Office today for weighing (free of charge) to ensure I stayed within the 44# limitation, and I'm good to go.

So glad to hear that you got it, at least you dont have to wait till friday. Good luck and stay safe.