ok found out a bunch of info From the recruiter and tons of web sites or forms I went to sounds like most of the construction workers get paid about $7,000 in a 4 week month. You will work at least 80 HRS a week most are 12hrs/Day 7days a week.And you do have to pay some taxes now FICA and Medi CAre. The base pay is 2583 per month then you factor in the up lift(hazard pay) Iraq is 75%= a total of $4520 per month plus some other Hrly rate for the first 40hrs worked bring it to 7351 a month so That divided by 12hrs/dayX7days/wkX4weeks/mth=336 worked hrs)thats only about $21 an hr Although they do provide food and shelter(its not plush)most are storage containers converted. and the give you $800.00 for travel for R&R but tickets from the us to Iraq round trip are very expensive so more money out of you pocket plus they take insurance money out each month (life $50,000) and health another 165 a month just for you the whole family is more. Plus you do have to worry about getting killed granted its not as bad as it used to be but still happens

 

Well I bit the bullet I passed my WABI test and now im off to Huston on 2/2/09 to get Medical test done then off to IRAQ to work for a year. I just cant seem to find steady work payibg what I need it to pay, so hopefully this all works out for me!!! I hope my family and I stay strong please wish us luck and or keep us in your prayers

 

good luck hope you stay safe

 

I was in Baghdad and Sadr City for a year. The military does a good job keeping things secure where you live and where you work. In between can be a crap shoot but my squad was hit twice and we are all home to tell about it. That was '05.

There's internet access at most bases for a small fee... keep us all informed while you are out there.

Believe it or not, I kinda miss the place. Warm weather, good buddies... I'd go back if the military asked me to.

 

Good luck! You're probably safer in Baghdad than walking down the street in Stockton thanks to the work that a76 and his guys did. Let's hope this new administration doesn't F things up and make things less safe for you by pulling out before the time is right to do it



Goose

 

Can't say much about the "construction" end of it, but my last trip there (landed 9/25/01), we did a lot of "destruction".

Winters are not bad weatherwise, but the summers..........

Be safe,

 

i know 2 people that went over a few years ago. they must like it they haven't come back. they work long hours. both were not really jobs that require lots of or any education. 1 guy is a painter. the other is a lady working in an office , just a secretary , and makes over $100,000 / yr. she got arrested for holding hands in public, went to jail , but got out less than 48 hours. her accomplise / codefendant , was a native , they kept him a little longer. if i could get a job driving i might would go. i don't do long hours stuck in the same place. life is too short for that. i got to see what's going on futher than 1 building. i've quit easy good paying good jobs because i was burned out just being there. and really that was all they were paying me to do- just be there.

 

I heard the winters are mild in Iraq but how about the summer what should I expect ? A76 im glad to hear you all made it home safe I just hope I can do the same!!

 

100+, dry. You can drink water all day and never go to the bathroom....

My last trip.

 

cool thank you soleman