Career advice

[dsbunton646]

I thought I'd get a good wide variety of views and opinions on this forum from folks just based on the things I have heard from members about what they do for a living and where they are from. Currently, I just turned 35 years old, am married with two kids, ages 5 and 10. I have 11 years in as a Deputy at the S.O. in Florida. Lately, I have been considering taking a job with a contracting company such as Dyncorp for an overseas job (security/police mission) in Iraq or similar location for at least a year. If I stay out of the country for a year then the salary is tax free for me. Leave time is accrued and I can leave and fly to meet my family where ever as long as I don't return to the states. If I do, then the tax rate applies, but the pay rate is still much greater than what I currently make. I know money isn't everything, but keep in mind one year of a contract would be about 4-5 times what I bring home in a year now. So my plan would be do a year, pay off my house then come home and get back to my state retirement, which is slowly being taken away by my fabulous Governor.
Thoughts please....

 

[sixpack577]

You're no good to your family dead. I respect what you're trying to accomplish, and for their benefit, but it's a big risk. You're not planning to get yourself killed over there, but I doubt anyone does. I'm not a negative person either, because if you were single I'de say go for it, and your job here is dangerous enough.
If nothing else, your wife and kids will suffer without you, a year is a long time even if you do see them a handful of times throughout. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[NINJA KILLER]

You're no good to your family dead. I respect what you're trying to accomplish, and for their benefit, but it's a big risk. You're not planning to get yourself killed over there, but I doubt anyone does. I'm not a negative person either, because if you were single I'de say go for it, and your job here is dangerous enough.
If nothing else, your wife and kids will suffer without you, a year is a long time even if you do see them a handful of times throughout. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Very Well Said !!!
I was thinking the same thing .

 

[Fastfrog007]

Very tough choice....

Its the wife and kids that make it tricky, but at the same time, your at risk everyday with your line of work and bein on the SWAT team or the like, if I recall correctly. Id speak with some folks that have been thier before with the company that your considering working for, see what thier opinions are.

 

[dsbunton646]

Two of our team swat team members have already went. One is one his second tour. The other took a sniper round through both thighs and had to return for medical. He is good now but, shows how real it can get. I know a few more from the PD who also went and said it was not bad if you keep focused and do your job. They said the company is jam up, it's just the areas are bad, but that is why they are paying you to go in there. One of my best friends and fellow team members has his app in and it is in review. His kids are older so it is not as hard a decision for him, but they do allow a "buddy" system according to him and the others I spoke with.

 

[Blanca BusaLess]

As long as your ok with this then go...

A foreign contractor is very very easy to spot.
A few questions..
Have you ever been to the Middle East? If not then culture shock is an understatement!
Will you be in or on base or out in the open?
Who or what will you be guarding and with whom?
Will there be any official ties to US military as in when the S**T hits the fan will y'all have backup?
The atmosphere over there now and attitude toward foreign contractors is very negative now thanks to Blackwater so be very careful.

I ask because in the last few years I've been to Iraq and Afg several times.
All times I was a civilian contractor bidding/working for the us govt.
I had a minimum of three sometimes five guys guarding I and or my father.
I am very weapons savvy but these guys gave me no desire to do anything other than what they said. Yes they were well paid but is $1500 a day worth NEVER seeing your kids again ?
Your just getting bored in your middle age. 11 down , 9 more to go. I'm familiar with what Fl Sheriffs make and your doing ok. Finish your stint , retire with honors , stay home and enjoy your family.
It ain't worth it.

 

[cqt1414]

if i were in your shoes, I would go for it. there is an element of risk involved in most important moves. I don't know the fine details but it seems one year would benefit your family for many yrs in the future. Being away from them is not easy. But it wasn't easy for men involved in the many conflicts our country was engaged in during the 20th century. but ultimatly, if your wife has strong feelings towards either side, this should be factored in a big way. This is my 'betterment' position. thanks and god bless.....

 

[limited one]

Good money!! If you can deal with the time away from your kids its well worth it especially if your just banking that money. I was over there in 2007 and new alot of contractors that loved being there and making that money. The biggest thing is how your family will deal with you away

 

[skydivr]

It is an honorable thing you are considering. I served 26 years in the military, and my daughter was 7 when I retired. I would have eventually been deployed, but I had to look into her little heart and see what it would have done to her if I had been killed - and that's what finally got me to retire (in the middle of a war, which I feel badly enough about). My wife's father died when she was 10 (heart attack at 38 years old), and it caused her problems that she has carried on her heart ever since and still effects her today. Your children are at a very tender age, and there is no amount of money that can replace you or what you mean in their lives.

Law enforcement is a dangerous enough business as is, I caution you to think long and hard about this decision. I would rather go with the full weight and authority of the US Govt (Soldier) behind me, than hanging it all out as a contractor.

Best of luck regardless of your choice.

 

[Commuta_Busa]

In your situation I wouldn't do it. Being away from your family for a year, the environment, and the high potential risk just doesn't seem worth the rate.

 

[m_ridgeway]

Its a real situation to consider. one thing you need to do is talk to your cpa and make sure you understand all the requirements of getting the tax exemption, i believe if you go on leave it adds into your time that you are allowed in the us. im just saying dont take anyones word, and remember if you get over there and decide its not for you, youre usually on your own dime getting back, and then will owe taxes on money paid. personally i wouldnt go there for less than 200k, my buddy went over there driving a truck and never got the talked up bonuses and only cleared about 98k, he couldve went to work with me starting out higher than that.

 

[JGGUNS]

Make sure the contractor agrees to tote at least 3 million life insurance on you to take care of the family if the unspeakable happens.

 

[captain]

The real question for you is about month 3....... how much would you pay to be able to come home...