Kiwis in Iraq on TV (20 September)

[nudemetalz]

Last night, there was an excellent documentary on TV3 (I think it was Inside NZ) about NZ "contractors" working in Iraq.

Man, what a place !!! People in trucks with guns, US military everywhere.
The person who was being interviewed sat in the Merc with a pistol at the ready while talking.
They get paid quite highly but at a price.
He said that the diplomats will only go with NZ contractors as they can trust them 100%.

Anyone else here see it?

[ManDownUnder]

Saw it. I'm too soft and trusting for that shit... I'd be dead in a matter of hours.

[Hitcher]

The US should deploy Lias with a chef's knife. Apparently he would sort those insurgents. And their families. No worries.

[Coldrider]

Yes, really interesting, unfortunately I couldn't put a daily $rate on my life.
How their wives tolerate it, allow it is beyond me, I can understand the SAS involvement, but to offer to be a security contractor there is selling your arse. But I suppose that is the only way to make a buck out of military skills that are of no use to anyone in civilisation.

[Mr Merde]

......But I suppose that is the only way to make a buck out of military skills that are of no use to anyone in civilisation.

There would be no civilisation, as we know it, if some people didnt aquire those military skills you just belittled.

I know that military skills are not the sort that come to mind when one thinks of employable skills but to say that they are of no use to civilisation is an insult to all those who have served in the military.

When the shit hits the fan big time, the military is and always has been the fall back of a free society.

Merde

[ManDownUnder]

There would be no civilisation, as we know it, if some people didnt aquire those military skills

Bingo. Sad to say but might is right. When law and order break down (and they will in the absence of a superior threat)... diplomacy at gunpoint is the last resort.

[Coldrider]

There would be no civilisation, as we know it, if some people didnt aquire those military skills you just belittled.

I AM NOT BELITTLING THOSE MILITARY SKILLS.
I have simply stated that they are of no use economically to them when they return to our peaceful home, as did the documentary said by the wife of the deceased one. Some members of the military will have no other skills to employ and thus take on the security contracts.
Read in the context mate.
Oh and don't hesirate to RED REP me if you still get it wrong.

[nudemetalz]

You're quite right, Coldrider. That was the impression I got out of last night's story.

[ManDownUnder]

I have simply stated that they are of no use economically to them when they return to our peaceful home, as did the documentary said by the wife of the deceased one.

Yeah I dunno. The Special Tactics Group and AOS need such people - just not all of them.

[Coldrider]

Yeah I dunno. The Special Tactics Group and AOS need such people - just not all of them.

They might , but the story was on a ex SAS personnel going back to convince himself and others how dangerous it was, and he was not going back, and to convince others not to go back.
The story was not on the SAS or military personnel there, or reasons for them being there in an official capacity.
It was concentrating on the return of ex military personnel returning as security contractors for a daily rate (US$750), and their wives views on such matters.

[janno]

So, US$750 daily times three months - $67,500.

Two tours of duty a year? $135k for 6 months work. Probably tax free.

But still, doesn't seem much for risking your life and possibly your children growing up without their father.

I think the fact that, as the guy was saying, their skills don't translate well back to normal society is quite a drawcard too.

My uncle was in the French Foreign Legion for five years until a motorcycle smash off duty put paid to that. He said the constant adrenaline and the overall lifestyle was the addictive thing, not the money.

[oldrider]

So, US$750 daily times three months - $67,500.

Two tours of duty a year? $135k for 6 months work. Probably tax free.

But still, doesn't seem much for risking your life and possibly your children growing up without their father.

I think the fact that, as the guy was saying, their skills don't translate well back to normal society is quite a drawcard too.

My uncle was in the French Foreign Legion for five years until a motorcycle smash off duty put paid to that. He said the constant adrenaline and the overall lifestyle was the addictive thing, not the money.

Look how many children in NZ grow up without their fathers with no risk and no money involved!!!!!! The cunts just fuck off! John.

[Coldrider]

And isn't the adrenalin the addictive thing that keeps us riding motorcycles.

[pritch]

One of our homeboys did a turn at that. ( He also had some national notoriety on TV a while back.) He has latterly returned to his usual occupation in civvy street.

I'm assuming the attraction is the pay, which is astounding by our standards, but you really would need to know what you are about. An overabundance of bullshit or bravado could be fatal.

The odds are not too bad for an individual, but the consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time don't bear thinking about.

[Coldrider]

The odds are not too bad for an individual, but the consequences of being in the wrong place at the wrong time don't bear thinking about.

True, one of the main problems is non-nationals are singled out, as an incentive to keep them out, and greater media coverage portrayed.
The numbers killed is staggering, I recall about 400 journalists and 300ish private security contractors if I'm correct.