How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
#31
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Me having a husband would involve a major lifestyle change
#35
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
I wasn't sure if the western runway had been completed as the current interim aerodrome licence only covers the Eastern runway.
#36
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
I worked in Basrah last year for 7 months. I wasn't in the city itself but just outside in the rumailah region which is about an hour outside
I work in O&G and security was top notch. We where transported everywhere in large convoys with very experienced ex military personnel. Body armours and helmets worn at all times outside the camp
I never once heard a rocket or mortar but we did get daily reports of bombings and problems on the roads. The main problem out there at the moment is kidnapping but with good security that should be an issue.
I left Iraq after 7 months not because of the security issue but because of the working enviroment. Corruption is massive over there and ive never ever came across so many difficulties and challenges. Ask your husband is it really worth it? My father just sent me an offer he received in Iraq and i told him straight up before looking at the package it isn't worth it.
Nigeria,Romania,Somalia etc ill do but Iraq again defo not!!
I work in O&G and security was top notch. We where transported everywhere in large convoys with very experienced ex military personnel. Body armours and helmets worn at all times outside the camp
I never once heard a rocket or mortar but we did get daily reports of bombings and problems on the roads. The main problem out there at the moment is kidnapping but with good security that should be an issue.
I left Iraq after 7 months not because of the security issue but because of the working enviroment. Corruption is massive over there and ive never ever came across so many difficulties and challenges. Ask your husband is it really worth it? My father just sent me an offer he received in Iraq and i told him straight up before looking at the package it isn't worth it.
Nigeria,Romania,Somalia etc ill do but Iraq again defo not!!
#37
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Have a read of my post again and then have a read of yours. I don't see a massive amount of difference bar the young, foolish or ruinously divorced and the fact you lack any sarcasm.
Now you may enjoy living your post squaddie existence and I am sure there are who many who adore the camaraderie, bunk beds, sharing communal showers, homo erotic fantasies of men confined in camps etc etc in some backwater toilet of the world but I suspect most people prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a beer in a nice bar, enjoy spending time with one's partner and kids in the same country rather than on Skype etc. Now I guess you earn a good wedge and good luck to you so you must think its worth it.
So what was ridiculous ?
Now you may enjoy living your post squaddie existence and I am sure there are who many who adore the camaraderie, bunk beds, sharing communal showers, homo erotic fantasies of men confined in camps etc etc in some backwater toilet of the world but I suspect most people prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a beer in a nice bar, enjoy spending time with one's partner and kids in the same country rather than on Skype etc. Now I guess you earn a good wedge and good luck to you so you must think its worth it.
So what was ridiculous ?
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 32
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Have a read of my post again and then have a read of yours. I don't see a massive amount of difference bar the young, foolish or ruinously divorced and the fact you lack any sarcasm.
Now you may enjoy living your post squaddie existence and I am sure there are who many who adore the camaraderie, bunk beds, sharing communal showers, homo erotic fantasies of men confined in camps etc etc in some backwater toilet of the world but I suspect most people prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a beer in a nice bar, enjoy spending time with one's partner and kids in the same country rather than on Skype etc. Now I guess you earn a good wedge and good luck to you so you must think its worth it.
So what was ridiculous ?
Now you may enjoy living your post squaddie existence and I am sure there are who many who adore the camaraderie, bunk beds, sharing communal showers, homo erotic fantasies of men confined in camps etc etc in some backwater toilet of the world but I suspect most people prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a beer in a nice bar, enjoy spending time with one's partner and kids in the same country rather than on Skype etc. Now I guess you earn a good wedge and good luck to you so you must think its worth it.
So what was ridiculous ?
But ill take the bait............... I do very much enjoy living my post squaddie "existence". The camaraderie is second to none, there are no bunk beds, we have en suite, and thoroughly enjoy the homo erotic fantasies of men in confined camps.
Yes most people would obviously prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a nice beer in a bar, and obviously the kids and family thing Is a big issue.
However........... I get 4 months off a year. Where in civvy street can I get that? Normal people enjoy your beers in the bar, walking the streets at night but work a 9-5. Which for the majority of people I know means waking up at 6 getting a train to London coming home by 8 when the kids are already in bed then repeat til the weekend where they drink in the bars wishing for the 2 week holiday to spain to hurry up.
When I get home I get 1 whole month of quality time with no distractions, and can do everything I need to whilst safe in the knowledge I have a few extra quid in the bank to sit in a nice bar, buy nice things for the family.
Its each to their own. Do I want to work in sh1tholes for the rest of my life? of course not, however my post squaddie existence means I can exist, pay off my mortgage 15 years quicker than I would have and enjoy the finer things in life............. like 3 weeks in spain
#41
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
The ridiculous comment was the young foolish or ruinously divorced. People aren't that young out here.
But ill take the bait............... I do very much enjoy living my post squaddie "existence". The camaraderie is second to none, there are no bunk beds, we have en suite, and thoroughly enjoy the homo erotic fantasies of men in confined camps.
Yes most people would obviously prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a nice beer in a bar, and obviously the kids and family thing Is a big issue.
However........... I get 4 months off a year. Where in civvy street can I get that? Normal people enjoy your beers in the bar, walking the streets at night but work a 9-5. Which for the majority of people I know means waking up at 6 getting a train to London coming home by 8 when the kids are already in bed then repeat til the weekend where they drink in the bars wishing for the 2 week holiday to spain to hurry up.
When I get home I get 1 whole month of quality time with no distractions, and can do everything I need to whilst safe in the knowledge I have a few extra quid in the bank to sit in a nice bar, buy nice things for the family.
Its each to their own. Do I want to work in sh1tholes for the rest of my life? of course not, however my post squaddie existence means I can exist, pay off my mortgage 15 years quicker than I would have and enjoy the finer things in life............. like 3 weeks in spain
But ill take the bait............... I do very much enjoy living my post squaddie "existence". The camaraderie is second to none, there are no bunk beds, we have en suite, and thoroughly enjoy the homo erotic fantasies of men in confined camps.
Yes most people would obviously prefer to walk the streets safe at night, have a nice beer in a bar, and obviously the kids and family thing Is a big issue.
However........... I get 4 months off a year. Where in civvy street can I get that? Normal people enjoy your beers in the bar, walking the streets at night but work a 9-5. Which for the majority of people I know means waking up at 6 getting a train to London coming home by 8 when the kids are already in bed then repeat til the weekend where they drink in the bars wishing for the 2 week holiday to spain to hurry up.
When I get home I get 1 whole month of quality time with no distractions, and can do everything I need to whilst safe in the knowledge I have a few extra quid in the bank to sit in a nice bar, buy nice things for the family.
Its each to their own. Do I want to work in sh1tholes for the rest of my life? of course not, however my post squaddie existence means I can exist, pay off my mortgage 15 years quicker than I would have and enjoy the finer things in life............. like 3 weeks in spain
Believe you me mate there's far easier options in The Gulf to pay your mortgage off .
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 16
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
I've worked some sh*tholes in O&G exploration and in some respects being in a well known war zone is safer than "marginal" places - look what happened in Algeria! At least in Iraq the security etc is geared up to counter the threat properly if you work for one of the responsible operators. Anyone considering working out there needs to do their own due diligence on the company security arrangements - and don't just think if they're a well known name all will be ok (BP & Statoil in Algeria).
I think many people underestimate the effects on family back home when you work in dodge-ville and the lack of freedom in-country is harder to deal with than the security threat. Which is why I personally would only consider an equal-time 4/4 or 6/6 posting somewhere like Iraq.
Like Asho says - each to their own - and as long as the wedge / leave does it for you then fair play.
I think many people underestimate the effects on family back home when you work in dodge-ville and the lack of freedom in-country is harder to deal with than the security threat. Which is why I personally would only consider an equal-time 4/4 or 6/6 posting somewhere like Iraq.
Like Asho says - each to their own - and as long as the wedge / leave does it for you then fair play.
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 32
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
Hats off to you mate for working long term in a war zone , you need to be a certain character to handle those postings . I've been offered a shed load over the years and always back heeled them up to now .
Believe you me mate there's far easier options in The Gulf to pay your mortgage off .
Believe you me mate there's far easier options in The Gulf to pay your mortgage off .
That being said if anyone has any jobs going in less dusty countries drop me a line
#44
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 32
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
I've worked some sh*tholes in O&G exploration and in some respects being in a well known war zone is safer than "marginal" places - look what happened in Algeria! At least in Iraq the security etc is geared up to counter the threat properly if you work for one of the responsible operators. Anyone considering working out there needs to do their own due diligence on the company security arrangements - and don't just think if they're a well known name all will be ok (BP & Statoil in Algeria).
I think many people underestimate the effects on family back home when you work in dodge-ville and the lack of freedom in-country is harder to deal with than the security threat. Which is why I personally would only consider an equal-time 4/4 or 6/6 posting somewhere like Iraq.
Like Asho says - each to their own - and as long as the wedge / leave does it for you then fair play.
I think many people underestimate the effects on family back home when you work in dodge-ville and the lack of freedom in-country is harder to deal with than the security threat. Which is why I personally would only consider an equal-time 4/4 or 6/6 posting somewhere like Iraq.
Like Asho says - each to their own - and as long as the wedge / leave does it for you then fair play.
4/4 or 6/6 is the dream. However 8 and 4 is more than doable for the ex soldiers among us. 7 months in Afghan was my longest stint so a 2 monther is a piece of cake!
#45
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: How safe is to work in Iraq, Basra?
You won't get offered or take another job in the Gulf.
You won't accept anything that doesn't give you such great time off. Nor will you consider anything that doesn't provide you a good basic, all the other shit and probably meals every day?
Stick to what you're doing, you sounded happy about it before, but now fancy somewhere else?