KBR Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

maria campau in Riverside, California said: Thank u to everyone-everyones comments have helped in this process!!!! So its official, my husband and I talked it over, and over, and over and cried about it (well, me) and we are going to go through with this... he just has to send his Calif. State Certification and a copy of his drivers license... I know its going to be a huge change for us.

They gave him Dec. 7th as a possible day that he might go out to Houston. He's excited and nervous at the same time... He is super big on family and I know he's going to miss us terribly, especially our 2 year old.. And Im due with our 2nd baby in April... If he leaves now there is a possibility that he could be here for the delivery or shortly after... That's where I get really scared and nervous. Jess and I are really close and I know its going to be tough towards the end of the pregnancy..but I have a lot of family support ...and now I know that this forum is going to help me immensely!!!

Congratulations on your decision. You will be fine especially if you have family to support you. At least you will have one less to do laundry for !! I never realised how much work my husband gave me until he left !! I do miss him though but today is another good day...

I passed the WABI! Thank you to those who replied to my previous post-- your comments obviously helped!

Does anyone know about how you present a 'doctor's' note during the physical exam? I took medication for about a week that you're not allowed to be on and I can get a doctor's note, but I don't know what it's supposed to say... this is the last major thing I'm worried could hold me back....

Thanks again!

Congrats SD99!!!

I don't know about the doctor issues as I was fortunate enough not to have to deal with that. Have you asked your recruiter? I really don't know who else could answer that question...

I am sure that you will do just fine!

redbuddafly in Houston, Texas said: Hi everyone, question for rehires on the site. Did any one actually live at f1 south victory? Are the hooches dry or wet? Meaning, in the trailers do they have bathrooms in them or not?

redbuddyfly, my info is from 05-07 timeframe. I had a few friends down at F2 (south victory) F1 as I remember it is Liberty (used to be north victory). Anyhow, yes the hootches on F2 were wet, but there was a long wait to get assigned to them. Perhaps the situation has improved. Either way, F1, F2, and F3 were REALLY good locations...

Good luck

When you get your travel itinerary does anyone know if KBR buys the shortest flight, a specific airline, or the cheapest ticket? We still haven't received the travel itinerary as of yet and were looking into possible flights it could be that way we have some idea as to times.

another question?!?! Sorry guys! We were wondering if they are pushing through electricians this fast if he might actually get a check the first friday of dec? It would be for one week or would this be the check that he gets Jan 1? Still a little confused as to the pay schedule. Working through the kinks though!

It is my understanding that your first check will be in January and will be for the week or so in November and the month of December.

Have your doctor write a letter explaing the meds to are either currently on or meds you have taken in the last several months and rhe reason why. Make sure that if the medical issue could be a problem in Iraq that they clear you for work. My husband had been on Darvocet for chronic back pain. It showed in his urine and they questioned him and he showed him his doctor's note and they passed him through. They did not allow him to take the Darovcet to Iraq so I took it home. Hope this helps.

Debbie

oldschool in Mission, Texas said: what does this CMTS# mean.... new to all this....thanks.

OS, the CMTS# is a tracking number given to you to use in Houston for processing. When you're done with processing you'll get a SAP#.

wirenutts wife in California said: another question?!?! Sorry guys! We were wondering if they are pushing through electricians this fast if he might actually get a check the first friday of dec? It would be for one week or would this be the check that he gets Jan 1? Still a little confused as to the pay schedule. Working through the kinks though!

WW, the pay schedule goes like this:
Time goes in on the last Saturday of each month. So, if one doesn't get out before the 29th of this month, they will receive their first check somewhere around the 2nd of January.

SD99 in New Brunswick, New Jersey said: I passed the WABI! Thank you to those who replied to my previous post-- your comments obviously helped!

Does anyone know about how you present a 'doctor's' note during the physical exam? I took medication for about a week that you're not allowed to be on and I can get a doctor's note, but I don't know what it's supposed to say... this is the last major thing I'm worried could hold me back....

Thanks again!

Congrats SD99, i told you'll be fine...

This is from my husband

"any electricians out there ..... just wondering what they will let me bring as far as clothes. I usually work in bibs ( carharts)?"

excited to get the ball rolling... Any union brothers out there? Im an electrician and have just decided to take the opportunity to go overseas. hoping to go dec 7 anyone else. I have heard alot about them pushing the electricians. my wife and I have been going through this forum and the post , very helpful in making the decision. thank you all. Has anyone been or already there that can shed anymore light on the living conditions, working condition, on different bases.

jdc in Westminster, California said: excited to get the ball rolling... Any union brothers out there? Im an electrician and have just decided to take the opportunity to go overseas. hoping to go dec 7 anyone else. I have heard alot about them pushing the electricians. my wife and I have been going through this forum and the post , very helpful in making the decision. thank you all. Has anyone been or already there that can shed anymore light on the living conditions, working condition, on different bases.

I went to Houston to say goodbye to hubby. Just to let you know that there were quite a few union electricians there. They all said the same thing, the list was so long they were never getting out.

jdc is my husband... I got him to join the forum... yeah.. his name has been on the OC book since January and it seems like there is nothing....

my husband's asking ...is there any restrictions on shoeware... I imagine work boots are fine ...steel toe? anyone know??

maria campau in Riverside, California said: my husband's asking ...is there any restrictions on shoeware... I imagine work boots are fine ...steel toe? anyone know??

my husband took steel toe, just like he wore to work here.

are they required?? my husband hasn't bee required to wear steel toe in a few years.. might have to buy a pair... what all did you pack for him?

I think they are required. Ask your recruiter first.You will get a list of what to bring. Hmmmm what did we pack, toiletries, 6 long sleeved shirts,6 short sleeved shirts, 3 pair jeans,3 pair khakis (dickies),underwear and socks, pyjama bottoms ,couple regular t shirts, 3 nice cozy hoodies, sneakers,2 pairs shorts. He wore his boots on the trip over cos they were too bulky to pack and he bought shower shoes on the camp.We really did the minimum and as soon as he gets over i wll send whatever else he needs. Oh i sent a big container of vitamins. Get him to start taking them now. There are quite a few people sick in my hubbys tent.

niece706 in The Little "A", Georgia said: Congrats SD99, i told you'll be fine...

how did your medical go?

They get their laundry done pretty quickly over there.When he finishes processing in Houston tell him to do his laundry before he flys out so its clean on arrival. They have washers at the hotels.

switch in Austin, Texas said: I think they are required. Ask your recruiter first.You will get a list of what to bring. Hmmmm what did we pack, toiletries, 6 long sleeved shirts,6 short sleeved shirts, 3 pair jeans,3 pair khakis (dickies),underwear and socks, pyjama bottoms ,couple regular t shirts, 3 nice cozy hoodies, sneakers,2 pairs shorts. He wore his boots on the trip over cos they were too bulky to pack and he bought shower shoes on the camp.We really did the minimum and as soon as he gets over i wll send whatever else he needs. Oh i sent a big container of vitamins. Get him to start taking them now. There are quite a few people sick in my hubbys tent.

Switch..
Think you may have already said but where is your hubby now? all of that stuff met the 44lbs limit? what's the weather where he is???

My husband is really big on Vitamin C and Airborn...so I will make sure he takes plenty :)

maria

maria campau in Riverside, California said: are they required?? my husband hasn't bee required to wear steel toe in a few years.. might have to buy a pair... what all did you pack for him?

Oh and some thermals.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Oh and some thermals.

My hubby is in Bagdhad doing elctrical training before he gets assigned to his camp. All electricians will train for one week in Bagdhad. Yep it weighed 41 lb and he stuffed some of his friends stuff in too cos he was over. Better under than over or you will end up putting it in the salvation army box. You can always buy stuff on the other end. The weather is about 80 during the day and dropping to 40 at night.

switch in Austin, Texas said: Oh and some thermals.

Dont forget travel alarm clock and small flashlight

thanks much... !! I truly mean it when I say that this is so helpful!!! completely makes this situation so much better when we can connect with people going through the same thing!!!

thanks switch

maria campau in Riverside, California said: thanks much... !! I truly mean it when I say that this is so helpful!!! completely makes this situation so much better when we can connect with people going through the same thing!!!

thanks switch

You are so welcome

Switch... FYI I changed my username to jdcs wife

Jeff, Switch, Debbie, and others, KBR called and emailed dh last night. Dh didn’t get the call so they left a voice message. He hadn’t even submitted his resume to an application/job yet. We’d registered and put his resume up but he hadn’t applied or submitted an application yet to any job. Jeff it was a different recruiter. Recruiter mentioned they she's actively recruiting electricians-Journeyman and masters, HVAC Mechanics–so anyone out there in these Trades, as other have said, they are definitely actively hiring for . Dh is going to call them back Saturday. He has about 10 days of vacation so he needs to arrange to get this off–just in case–what with the medical–not that we for see any problems as he has–knock on wood–always been healthy as a horse. But we also have some concerns about the length of time it can take to get his first pay. We are managing this way, but only just. Closing up the business last yr and relocating took most of the wind out of our sails, so dh has decided to sell his Harley–just in case we need the money. I am very proud of him his grown up decision. ;-). He is also amazingly happy. I can see the old spark back in his eyes.

Good luck. Everything will be going very fast from now on till he flies to Houston. My dh sold his boat to help cover our expenses, we sometimes have to do what we have to do. Promised him we would get another boat after he returns home. Stay in touch and we will support each other.

Debbie

My husband suggest buying composite toe boots they are not as heavy and the are approved for Iraq. That is what the military guys wear. Here is a website where you can order boots and they will send straight to Iraq. www.lagear.com

My husband goes through a pair of boots about every 5-6 months.

Debbie

composite toe are lighter and they are approved. website to order is www.lapolicegear.com

All the military wear them also.

Debbie

My husband has been in Iraq for 17 months and the living condition vary greatly from camp to camp. If you post where you are being told you are going maybe someone that has been there can give you more information.

Debbie

Koko, That's pretty good, They call you before you even apply for the job.
Do not worry, everthing that is good always works out. Be positive :)

Hi Debbie,
I am still researching. Trying to get a sense of the culture and climate so he has some idea and doesn’t go in with blinders on. Yes, I can well imagine time is going to fly from here on out. So much to do. He’d been rolling going back on the road ideas around for the last few mths. And I know a lot of his reason for holding out, was for me. And I also knew he wasn’t very happy being at the same place day in and day out. And I hated being the reason he was. But this was a decision that yes, we had to make together, but he also had to make his own. There are risks. But then there are risks in the line of work they do regardless, if they are still doing any kind of hands on work, that is. I got to laugh because he almost played hookie today as he said, so he could get the ball rolling today. But I pushed him out the door so he has one more normal day for serious contemplation and quiet thought. This board has been an absolute God send! Have a good one and thanks to everyone for your help in this first step of our journey/ adventure. I will be checking back-often.

Hi Jeff,

Yes, we were surprised. But we were also told that sometimes the recruiters for KBR and other companies look at the resumes filed on the company site–even when they haven’t applied as yet for a position. I think they just key in like electrician in a search and it pulls the resumes as yet submitted up for them. We’d uploaded his resume Wednesday evening as we knew–as in were pretty sure this was what he wanted to do. We were actually just waiting for the weekend to submit it.

As I've stated before the first month is the hardest. There will be many blue days and you second thinking your choice. But everyone adapts and I beleive that most will come home with a greater apprecition of life. We took so many of the small things for granted before he left. But the daily phone calls and packages sent are your life line, and planning your next R&R. LOL

We have taken a couple of great vacations in Spain and 7 days in Disney with the kids. Memories we would have never had and we will remember forever. This forum is a life line for what ever comes up and everyone is very helpful.

Take a deep breath and get ready very for a very busy couple of weeks. Good Luck.

Debbie

KoKo,
I know what you mean about being concerned about the length of time between now and a pay check... we r really tight... My husband has been off for almost a month and we are counting the days until the 1st so that we can see my paycheck in the account... unemployment takes a while...

we just figured...we pay the mortgage and utilities and whatever other bills we can and put some aside for food & gas ....I mean the worst thing that can happen are calls about late payments... we figured we will get caught up after he starts working over there...we will actually be able to pay off our debt within the first couple of months that he's been working...

I feel you!!

wirenuts...

since you are so close to Riverside... Im having a candy/treat making night for my daughter and friends who have little kids on Dec 13th. I know its a few weeks from now but hopefully you can come... Jess was told that he will go out to Houston on Dec 7... so by then we'll be in the same boat!!! It will be nice to have someone here who can relate because I dont think my friends will be supportive or understanding about our decision...it will be nice to have someone on my side :)

maria

here's another question...

my husband and I are very involved in the praise and worship ministry at our church...

are there any bible studies...place of worship...???

As others will tell you the camps will vary. But most camps for the sack of the soldiers will have a Chaplin available and I can not think that they will not allow contractors in the camps to be involved with. As I understand it the contractors are allowed to use the amenities they are there to help set up and maintain for the soldiers. I have been looking for pictures–to get a sense of the countries–both Iraq and Afghanistan–because as I understand they will not know till they get overseas which country they will go–and after that they will have to go through some in country training on one of the more established camps/bases before they send them out to other camps in need of their skills. I have found a few pictures of camps and they do have a Chaplin office/ and even churches–mind ya some are just tents. The Chaplin will respect all faiths.

"We took so many of the small things for granted before he left."

I know what you mean Debbie. With regards to cell phones day to day contact. It will take come getting used to I am sure. Most of all it gonna take faith. Mail and care packages . . . wow. Its been a long time since we’ve had to rely on these, what with the convenience of cells phones. But I still remember the days of.

Switch and Debbie, I do have a question for both of you sense your men are over there. Did they give you an emergency contact number–in the event that you or your family–God forbid had a genuine emergency and need to contact your guy–or at least relay message to have them call home. When Dh is was in military and overseas–we had the red cross for such, and just wonder if KBR provided for.

You need to get a cell phone for home that has a Houston phone number. That way he can call and there is no need for phone cards or long distance charges. We finally did this several months ago and are saving about $125.00 a month on the phone cards. All phone in Iraq are on a Houston phone number.

Good Luck

Debbie

They will be given the number to Red Cross also during processing.

In regard to boots. I just spoke to hubby and he said if they are Anzi rated they are fine. He told me that many people are wearing the boots that you talked about Debbie. The ones with Composite that the military wear. They are also acceptable. They have them on the PX for $90 but they go fast. He said they were way cool and wants a pair. I think i will go on that website you posted Debbie and look at them. He said they have some with zippers at the side and laces at the front.

LA Gear will mail them directly to APO addresses in about 10 days. Greg also says they are lighter and feet don't sweat as much. Cost is about $90.00 a pair. They come in black or camel, high top or low top, with side zipper or not. That is all he will wear anymore.

Debbie

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: LA Gear will mail them directly to APO addresses in about 10 days. Greg also says they are lighter and feet don't sweat as much. Cost is about $90.00 a pair. They come in black or camel, high top or low top, with side zipper or not. That is all he will wear anymore.

Debbie

Debbie i went to www.lapolicegear.com is that the right one?. Its confusing there are so many different kinds. He told me the ones in the PX were made by converse.

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: You need to get a cell phone for home that has a Houston phone number. That way he can call and there is no need for phone cards or long distance charges. We finally did this several months ago and are saving about $125.00 a month on the phone cards. All phone in Iraq are on a Houston phone number.

Good Luck

Debbie

Okay Debbie.. my husband and I were talking about the phone issue last night so Im glad it was brought up...

So can you let me know step by step ...he doesn't take a phone with him... Im the one that has to get a cell with a Houston #? Im in So Cal.... I know the this is going to be tough on us....

Debbie Creery in Gatesville, Texas said: You need to get a cell phone for home that has a Houston phone number. That way he can call and there is no need for phone cards or long distance charges. We finally did this several months ago and are saving about $125.00 a month on the phone cards. All phone in Iraq are on a Houston phone number.

Good Luck

Debbie

Debbie. You still have a monthly cell phone bill right with how many minutes? How does that work out cheaper ? My hubby still has his phone card that he went over with. He calls me and i call him back on that Houston number so he doesnt use his minutes. My home phone has that freedom package so i dont pay more for any long distance. I know its probably easier to have that cell cos then you can go out and not miss a call but do you think i would save anymore? I want the best value for my money too. I just wonder how much it would be per month on a cell phone..