KBR Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Wow you really have been around. I bet you have some stories to tell . Thats where hubby is going or meant to, F1.
Is the work hard ?

What work? He will have a SCW crew and he just oversee's then doing the work normally. That is a big camp and with all the modern conviences for a war zone, I remember they use to clean your hooch for you on F2 every couple days if you wanted them to. pretty plush down there.

switch in Austin, Texas said: So could a friend go over and be at the same camp as my hubby or do they need to leave Houston together ?
Is it 2am in the morning in Iraq?

Even that would not guarentee it, I have been trying to get my buds here with no success as of yet.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: What work? He will have a SCW crew and he just oversee's then doing the work normally. That is a big camp and with all the modern conviences for a war zone, I remember they use to clean your hooch for you on F2 every couple days if you wanted them to. pretty plush down there.

Whats an SCW crew ? I see now why you have been there 4 years. Maybe my hubby wont ever come home. Im thinking of applying myself. I wonder if they have any domestic engineer openings...

switch in Austin, Texas said: So could a friend go over and be at the same camp as my hubby or do they need to leave Houston together ?
Is it 2am in the morning in Iraq?

No it is 5:10 am right now clear and cool. Here is a little advice to make it easier to stay in contcat from here. Get a cell phone with a Houston area code 713 or 281 or some 832 because the phone here are all 713 or 281 and not long distance. i can call home as a local call.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Whats an SCW crew ? I see now why you have been there 4 years. Maybe my hubby wont ever come home. Im thinking of applying myself. I wonder if they have any domestic engineer openings...

Probably they have everything else. SCW fancy name for foreign workers.

Hey BMO, most people that come over as laborers, what type of work will they do? Have you ever been to BAF in Afghnistan?

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: Hey BMO, most people that come over as laborers, what type of work will they do? Have you ever been to BAF in Afghnistan?

They do everything from digging ditches to setting up tents, sand bags filling, ect. most people transfer to Iraq to get out of Afg. because here they use SCW's to do most the work and we ovrersee them.

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: Hey BMO, most people that come over as laborers, what type of work will they do? Have you ever been to BAF in Afghnistan?

No never been to Bagram Air Field, but i have a bud who works there for PAE contractor and likes it.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: They do everything from digging ditches to setting up tents, sand bags filling, ect. most people transfer to Iraq to get out of Afg. because here they use SCW's to do most the work and we ovrersee them.

Oh okay. Because I was told from a few that's over there, is that they oversee "locals" would that be considered the same thing? I have to ask myself what am I getting into. They said to do this to get in the door, then you can apply for other positions once your "probation" time is over. I think it's 6 mths. They say females don't work that hard. Do you find any of it to be true?

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: Oh okay. Because I was told from a few that's over there, is that they oversee "locals" would that be considered the same thing? I have to ask myself what am I getting into. They said to do this to get in the door, then you can apply for other positions once your "probation" time is over. I think it's 6 mths. They say females don't work that hard. Do you find any of it to be true?

All of it.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: No never been to Bagram Air Field, but i have a bud who works there for PAE contractor and likes it.

Oh okay cool. I heard that this is one of the bigger bases there. I am looking foward to it, yet am a little scared about it.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: Probably they have everything else. SCW fancy name for foreign workers.

Thanks so much, youve helped me a lot. Is it still hot there during the day or cooling down? You are not bored now are you ?

BMO in Houston, Texas said: All of it.

It is really getting bad in Afg. right now and you have to ask yourself i u like getting shot at and incoming rockets and mortors because you will see alot of that. And the weather is going to be very cold and extremely hot come summer. the 130's F is normal in summer.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: It is really getting bad in Afg. right now and you have to ask yourself i u like getting shot at and incoming rockets and mortors because you will see alot of that. And the weather is going to be very cold and extremely hot come summer. the 130's F is normal in summer.

Yeah, I heard. Of course as a female I wouldn't want or would like any of this and in reality I thought that it was worse in Iraq. WOW, new news to me. I sure do thank you. I have a lot of thinking to do, before I quit my job here and say that I am coming over to BAF. I am scared and don't know what to do. The money looks so good, but what is it's use if you aren't here to see it, huh? Man, this is a very hard decision...... :(

switch in Austin, Texas said: Thanks so much, youve helped me a lot. Is it still hot there during the day or cooling down? You are not bored now are you ?[/QUOTE

No problema. It is nice up here in N.iraq low 60's to 90's in day. No but got to go, that is another thing they dont let u do is stay on internet for a long time or they cut off your access.

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: Yeah, I heard. Of course as a female I wouldn't want or would like any of this and in reality I thought that it was worse in Iraq. WOW, new news to me. I sure do thank you. I have a lot of thinking to do, before I quit my job here and say that I am coming over to BAF. I am scared and don't know what to do. The money looks so good, but what is it's use if you aren't here to see it, huh? Man, this is a very hard decision...... :(

see if they can get you to one of the relatively older sites like balad or talil, they are more established and you will transition easier

BMO in Houston, Texas said:

Thanks for all the info. Keep us updated and dont work too hard !!

Cool Jay in NC in Fayetteville, North Carolina said: see if they can get you to one of the relatively older sites like balad or talil, they are more established and you will transition easier

Okay, are these sites in Afghanistan as well? How will I go about changing sites? Is this something that I am able to do once in Houston? Is that where you are located currently?

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: Okay, are these sites in Afghanistan as well? How will I go about changing sites? Is this something that I am able to do once in Houston? Is that where you are located currently?

[QUOTE] BMO
3 hours ago

Ok who's got questions about Iraq and KBR? I'm sitting in N. Iraq in camp Diamondback for over 4 yrs and bored to tears ask away.

Hey niece - Both of those bases are in Iraq......

operator649 in Galesburg, Illinois said: [QUOTE] BMO
3 hours ago

Ok who's got questions about Iraq and KBR? I'm sitting in N. Iraq in camp Diamondback for over 4 yrs and bored to tears ask away.

Hey niece - Both of those bases are in Iraq......

okay thanks a lot. are you currently over there?

can some tell me if they are 100% sure that they give a color test in the vision part of processing?

thanks for any response

my husband is an electrician and was recently contacted by a recruiter to apply wit KBR to go to iraq. We lisend in to the call w/ all the info and I got really scared and we declined.

I was curiious and found this forum. The money is more than he would evermake in a year and the best opportunity of all. To finally get out of tghis rat race. But I am simply scared that my husband will get hurt or worst. Not to mention how much me and our 3 boys and newborn baby girl would do witout daddy being home.even if it is for a year.

I just want to know how safe is out there, Has there been casualties amongs KBR employees? All we know is that Iraq is dangerouse and ofcourse there is a war there nothing more.

I am sorry if my concerns may bother some of the wifes whose husbands are already their but I just need to know. I am scared!

Please any comment info will help. Thank you all of you for all your info so far.

Sorry for all the errors in my spelling...thats just how scared I am. It would be the ideal situation for us if only we knew a litle more.

angeleye in Jacksonville, Florida said: my husband is an electrician and was recently contacted by a recruiter to apply wit KBR to go to iraq. We lisend in to the call w/ all the info and I got really scared and we declined.

I was curiious and found this forum. The money is more than he would evermake in a year and the best opportunity of all. To finally get out of tghis rat race. But I am simply scared that my husband will get hurt or worst. Not to mention how much me and our 3 boys and newborn baby girl would do witout daddy being home.even if it is for a year.

I just want to know how safe is out there, Has there been casualties amongs KBR employees? All we know is that Iraq is dangerouse and ofcourse there is a war there nothing more.

I am sorry if my concerns may bother some of the wifes whose husbands are already their but I just need to know. I am scared!

Please any comment info will help. Thank you all of you for all your info so far.

I think this is the worry that all of us have when we send our loved ones over there.

My husband went over (Iraq) 3 weeks ago and he has said things are really quiet over there, which gives me a lot of peace over here. We pretty much agreed that if they wanted to send him to Afghanistan he would come home. I know other people are over there, and so I don't mean to take away from what they have decided, but as his wife, I know myself well enough to know I couldn't deal with the stress of that.

My husband has been to 3 bases in his 3 weeks (and is now back at the original base he was at) and he has said all of the bases are "nice." Basicly really calm and people going about their business.

Yes, contract workers have been killed over there (KBR gave the #'s during orientation) but my husband could be killed here as well. He was an industrial electrican before he left, working at a plant with really high voltage. There was quite a bit of possible risk in his job there, as well.

I have 3 small children and that was definitely a consideration when deciding. We were at a point though where we didn't have a lot of options here. Had he been able to find a job here that covered our expenses, things might have been different. But we had to think of how we were going to provide for those 3 kids. My husband felt this was the pretty much our only option right now.

Yes, my kids have missed their dad, but we talk about him daily and keep a countdown of when he will be home for R&R. They write him notes on the computer and little letters and talk to him on the phone and you know, they are doing alright. It's an adjustment for sure but this was a decision we made so that in the future, my husband can be home to spend lots of time with his kids.

So you just really need to look at your situation. Would *we* have done this if we were doing okay here? Just to make some extra money? No, probably not. But that wasn't the situation for us. You just need to really look at your situation and decide if this is something you need to do or not.

Good luck with your decision. :)

niece706 in Augusta, Georgia said: okay thanks a lot. are you currently over there?

Nope, I'm looking to get a job with KBR or DynCorp.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: I have been to C7, F1, F2, H3, H4 and here on H2 Diamondback in Mosul right now. It is alot quieter over here now and all over country so he will be fine if he pays it safe.

Hi,
I am supposed to go to F1 (south victory), as a MCT (logistics) at Baghdad airport. I heard it was a large camp with a lot of amenities. Is F2 better than F1? Are you allowed to purchase a laptop when you get there or have one sent. Can you have a digital camera or cell phone. I think I heard no to cell phones for safety reasons but if I have the service disconnected and use it for a mp3 player do they check your bags? After a long day of work as I expect it would be a shame to not be able to use my gadgets. And yeh I am a chick that loves gadgets.....

Thanks BMO for all your help...

Hi switch!!

operator649 in Galesburg, Illinois said: Nope, I'm looking to get a job with KBR or DynCorp.

Oh okay. Goodluck!

redbuddafly in Houston, Texas said: Hi,
I am supposed to go to F1 (south victory), as a MCT (logistics) at Baghdad airport. I heard it was a large camp with a lot of amenities. Is F2 better than F1? Are you allowed to purchase a laptop when you get there or have one sent. Can you have a digital camera or cell phone. I think I heard no to cell phones for safety reasons but if I have the service disconnected and use it for a mp3 player do they check your bags? After a long day of work as I expect it would be a shame to not be able to use my gadgets. And yeh I am a chick that loves gadgets.....

Thanks BMO for all your help...

Hi switch!!

Hi, practically everyone in Houston had a cell phone and i didnt see anyone sending them home or giving them to wives so i guess they all took them over. Im sure thats o.k. Yes they will check your bags. Something else i found interesting. I bought my hubby a duffel bag on wheels that had zipper pockets on the sides, i thought they would be handy for the little things. Well they told them in Houston not to use the little zipper pockets cos the Iraqis go through them and steal everything.

Just heard from hubby. They moved him this morning to a large tent with all the other electricians.He is still at Victory and will begin training on sunday at liberty. He has 2 days off !!!
For all the electricians they have 7/8 days training on code etc and then off to their allocated camp. He said they were going sightseeing tomorrow at camp Spiker. Sounds like a vacation to me !!! He is very impressed with the food at the chow hall , which says a lot about my cooking !!! Says the PX is huge but pricey.
Its early days yet we will see how he gets on.

Your American cell phone won't work in Iraq. You have to get service from the Iraqi markets but I don't advice spending the money as these phones have limited service areas and they are expensive. Also KBR says you will be sent home if caught using a cell phone in country.

In regards to the theft issue. I advice that you don't leave anything valuable anywhere that you can't keep your eyes on. My husband was at BCT coming back from R&R and someone in his room stole his digital camers from his bag. This would have been a KBR employee so it isn't just the Iraqi's that will steal your stuff.

Don't leave anything behind in the shower area, chow hall or anywhere elese because it will be gone when you go back to get it. The American contractors need to be carefully about purchasing stuff for the Foreign Nationals on camp. They will talk you into purchasing stuff online and use your credit card and then they won't pay for it. There has also been Americans that will collect money upfront for stuff and they they take off with the money. The environment in Iraq causes alot of people to do things they normally would not do because you have very limited access to some of the basic needs of life, so they steal. Not all camps are bad about this but camps that have no amenties I beleive the problems are much worse.

The rule of thumb for checked luggage is never put anything in there you won't have a problem never seeing again. Things get lost, stolen and things that you would never think could get damaged do in check luggage. Whether you are flying the Boston to NYC shuttle of flying to Iraq.

Cooljay, my comment was dental care for even the military sucks and resources are limited - it must be a poor staffed career field. No one provides dental care for KBR employees in country.

Excellent comments about securing your gear both on the trip over and while "In Country"!
Having been in the Army, years ago, and some what of a world traveler nowa days I'd have to agree. You can trust some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.
But in general "Most People" are good folks..... treat everyone as you would want to be treated. And if the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Common sense.

Also have your 'High dollar' items documented, write down the serial numbers. Place not easily removed ID tags on your items.... even take pictures of them.

So here's a question... are you supplied with footlockers or wall lockers at your post?

I think i heard that you had to buy your own footlocker.

For those that have limited travel experience, here's a bit of advice as well...
bring a lock for your luggage and use it!
EXCEPT when going thru airport security and/ or when your luggage is handed over to the airlines.
Locked luggage being handled by the INSPECTORS or baggage handlers are just another reason for 'Them' to want to inspect whats inside... usually involving the breaking off of your lock or the cutting of the straps.

But in general while out in public it's always good have your stuff locked, it helps avoid those "Sneak thieves". Sure it won't stop someone from cutting the side out of your bag or them just grabbing and running off with your gear.... it's just good practice!

Also bring a padlock just in case you need it for a locker... if one is provided.... or in some cases you can use your lock as a second to the one that is already provided.

switch in Austin, Texas said: I think i heard that you had to buy your own footlocker.

THX Switch!

Kind of a bummer though...... what about the guys that aren't near a well stocked PX.... guess you'll need to make friends with a carpenter or find the stuff yourself to make your own.

operator649 in Galesburg, Illinois said: THX Switch!

Kind of a bummer though...... what about the guys that aren't near a well stocked PX.... guess you'll need to make friends with a carpenter or find the stuff yourself to make your own.

Thats probably a question for SPAWN. He just went out to Sharana in Afgan, its a small camp. Sometimes he checks in. Does anybody know if you are in a small camp what you do with your valubles if there are no footlockers? Hey you could borrow one of my purses if you want !!

Thank you Crystal01 for your advice, I know how tough it is. my husband must have gone more than 4-5 jobs this year.he just found this job where they are making him work twice as hard for less than what he was used to. It makes me mad to see how they are using him.

I guess were hopefull that things might get better and crawl thru the next few months before income tax get here. if it was a few months ago when he could not get a job for more than a weeks project we might have seriously done it.

Also I kinda feel guilty that I am still researching this but it seems like my husband has moved on.

This opportunity would really change our lives but I guess we let our fears get in the way.
Who knows maybe my husband and i might change our after we pray about it some more. meanwhile I will keep looking in at the discussion it might help with my fears a litle.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Hey you could borrow one of my purses if you want !!

;P
BAWAHAHAHAHHA!

Hey Debbie, What does your hubby do with his stuff cos he is in a smaller camp. Do you get to keep your passport or do KBR keep it safe for you ?

hello Swith,
I have been reading your post. your husband is an electrician and we have 4 small kids. When i heard you guys did I began to think we could too. I can relate to you the most.

Is your husband ex military before becoming an electrician? mine is not. how did you guys come to the decision to let him go?

sorry, I meant my husand is an eletrician*. I was distracted feeding the baby while writting.

angeleye in Jacksonville, Florida said: hello Swith,
I have been reading your post. your husband is an electrician and we have 4 small kids. When i heard you guys did I began to think we could too. I can relate to you the most.

Is your husband ex military before becoming an electrician? mine is not. how did you guys come to the decision to let him go?

Yes my husband was in the navy a long time ago. We have been married 17 years and never apart. My children are older than yours, mine are 11,13,14. It was not an easy decision but when they told us that electricians were getting a 45% raise it made the decision easier ! The bottom line is that he is doing this for his family. My girls need braces and we cant afford it, my husband wants a fishing boat, i would like to pay my bills on time. We both wanted to be less stressed. It is very stressful when you have financial difficulties. Work here is slow. This was a wonderful opportunity that was offered. I know it wont be easy but we have to look at the whole picture and really what is a year out of our lives. You will never make that kind of money here. He has arrived in Bagdad and is with a great group of guys. Im kinda envious. Then i have to remember that every month i will get the paycheck and he will get the allowance !! I think that you can do it if you look and put it all in perspective. Not saying its gonna be easy, ive cried many tears but today is a good day and tomorrow will be better. We are already planning his R&R, its exciting. Take care now and good luck with your decision.

angeleye in Jacksonville, Florida said: hello Swith,
I have been reading your post. your husband is an electrician and we have 4 small kids. When i heard you guys did I began to think we could too. I can relate to you the most.

Is your husband ex military before becoming an electrician? mine is not. how did you guys come to the decision to let him go?

Oh and by the way my husband has made a promise to me that if at any time i say COME HOME i cant cope. Then he will. We will find a way later to deal with the taxes and what we can write of. That always makes me feel better. What do we have to loose by giving it a try. Your husband is in the perfect situation. He is an Electrician, they need them desperately...

switch in Austin, Texas said: Yes my husband was in the navy a long time ago. We have been married 17 years and never apart. My children are older than yours, mine are 11,13,14. It was not an easy decision but when they told us that electricians were getting a 45% raise it made the decision easier ! The bottom line is that he is doing this for his family. My girls need braces and we cant afford it, my husband wants a fishing boat, i would like to pay my bills on time. We both wanted to be less stressed. It is very stressful when you have financial difficulties. Work here is slow. This was a wonderful opportunity that was offered. I know it wont be easy but we have to look at the whole picture and really what is a year out of our lives. You will never make that kind of money here. He has arrived in Bagdad and is with a great group of guys. Im kinda envious. Then i have to remember that every month i will get the paycheck and he will get the allowance !! I think that you can do it if you look and put it all in perspective. Not saying its gonna be easy, ive cried many tears but today is a good day and tomorrow will be better. We are already planning his R&R, its exciting. Take care now and good luck with your decision.

thank you so much switch, I agee with everything you said.Hopefully me and my husband will be discussing it more in the upcoming days. thanks for your strenght, it really helps me.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Yes my husband was in the navy a long time ago.

Hey Switch, did your hubby need his DD214, since he's been out for so long?

THX

operator649 in Galesburg, Illinois said: Hey Switch, did your hubby need his DD214, since he's been out for so long?

THX

Hi Switch

You still here?

Hi from H2 Camp Diamondback in Mosul N. Iraq.

My husband bought his plastic footlocker at the PX on his camp. All employees keep their own records including passport. Don't loose or you go home. Your spouse will have a "bug out bag" that has all his important documents and valuables that he keeps on him at all times in case of mortar attack or other emergencies.

BMO in Houston, Texas said: Hi from H2 Camp Diamondback in Mosul N. Iraq.

Hey BMO.... how's tricks?

Wanted to say THX for all of the great info you've passed along!

Hey BMO....... much call for Heavy Equipment Operators over there?
And if you would maybe know.... is the pay scale for HEO the same as other skilled labor, $14.90 per hour?