Offered a job in Afghanistan! Do I go?!
Discussion
MissChief said:
TroubledSoul said:
I don't want to give away the rate as I have no doubt nothing I say will be good enough for some people 
They have increased their offer a bit though and I am going to go. Screw it. If I don't like it I just won't return after the first rotation. It's not specifically the SC I am after, it's the opportunity to experience a way of life way outside of my comfort zone and a possibility of opening up doors to work in many other parts of the world.
I'm aware most will still think that I'm mad even with the increase offered etc. and don't really need reminding of that
If you can keep us up to date, if only so we can say in a months time, when you're a broken man who can't wait to go home and the money isn't worth it, 'we told you so'! LOLThey have increased their offer a bit though and I am going to go. Screw it. If I don't like it I just won't return after the first rotation. It's not specifically the SC I am after, it's the opportunity to experience a way of life way outside of my comfort zone and a possibility of opening up doors to work in many other parts of the world.
I'm aware most will still think that I'm mad even with the increase offered etc. and don't really need reminding of that
petop said:
If you want any insider tips then PM me. I may know some people you would be working with if its actually NATO you are employed by and not a company.
It's actually Thales.
prand said:
Well you went for it, good luck adn hope it works out for you. It would be good if you could keep us keyboard warriors and walts here on PH updated with how it's going!
Will do. I have no idea how "good" the wifi etc. is out there but we'll soon see. Also, I'm far too addicted to my phone these days so time away will do me good. Having looked into all this in more detail now, I can see that I am unlikely to spend more than 3 months of the year in the UK once I get started so that will make me exempt from UK tax. Have to speak to my accountant to find out how that all works.
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
TroubledSoul said:
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
Do you definitely want to sell rather than keep an asset in the UK? Given the rate house prices can increase do you risk not being able to buy your way back in?I'm renting out my UK house while working abroad rather than selling. I'll probably transfer anything that needs a UK address to my parents or sisters addresses when I finally clear out of the house.
RizzoTheRat said:
Do you definitely want to sell rather than keep an asset in the UK? Given the rate house prices can increase do you risk not being able to buy your way back in?
I'm renting out my UK house while working abroad rather than selling. I'll probably transfer anything that needs a UK address to my parents or sisters addresses when I finally clear out of the house.
I'm not in a position to keep it, as it's the marital home from my former relationship. Current plan is to hold onto my bit of money that comes from it and buy again after the predicted Brexit price crash. Whether that materialises or not, we shall see. The other thing though is; if I own a property in the UK do I rent it out? If I do, I can hardly expect people to clear off every ten weeks so that I can come back to it I'm renting out my UK house while working abroad rather than selling. I'll probably transfer anything that needs a UK address to my parents or sisters addresses when I finally clear out of the house.
TroubledSoul said:
I'm not in a position to keep it, as it's the marital home from my former relationship. Current plan is to hold onto my bit of money that comes from it and buy again after the predicted Brexit price crash. Whether that materialises or not, we shall see. The other thing though is; if I own a property in the UK do I rent it out? If I do, I can hardly expect people to clear off every ten weeks so that I can come back to it
No but hopefully the rental income can contribute towards accommodation when you do return. Royal Mail also have a redirect system so you can get your mail sent to an alternate address, friend or family for example. But if you are selling up then surely you would have to do this anyway?TroubledSoul said:
Will do. I have no idea how "good" the wifi etc. is out there but we'll soon see. Also, I'm far too addicted to my phone these days so time away will do me good.
Having looked into all this in more detail now, I can see that I am unlikely to spend more than 3 months of the year in the UK once I get started so that will make me exempt from UK tax. Have to speak to my accountant to find out how that all works.
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
It's not as simple as that. Someone here has explained it and your accountant will as well. Having looked into all this in more detail now, I can see that I am unlikely to spend more than 3 months of the year in the UK once I get started so that will make me exempt from UK tax. Have to speak to my accountant to find out how that all works.
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
TroubledSoul said:
Will do. I have no idea how "good" the wifi etc. is out there but we'll soon see. Also, I'm far too addicted to my phone these days so time away will do me good.
Having looked into all this in more detail now, I can see that I am unlikely to spend more than 3 months of the year in the UK once I get started so that will make me exempt from UK tax. Have to speak to my accountant to find out how that all works.
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
If you are in HKIA then you may get Thales within the compound providing some sort of "welfare" wifi internet. If anyone does then they should be. I was NATO so we got a welfare one provided on the back of the work internet. Having looked into all this in more detail now, I can see that I am unlikely to spend more than 3 months of the year in the UK once I get started so that will make me exempt from UK tax. Have to speak to my accountant to find out how that all works.
The slightly more worrying issue is what happens once my house sells. I won't have a UK address any more! Need to figure out what to do about that, with mail etc. Do I bang my stuff in storage and just Air BNB it for a month as and when I return or what? Lots to figure out.
Around HKIA base there is a contractor that provides wifi spots which cost around $20 for a weeks worth. Its done in 7 day blocks if i remember right. Actually the speed isnt too bad and at one point was better then my BT Internet back home.
Not sure what is in HQ RS base but there will be something so dont worry. As you are Thales you are definitely not in Kandahar where i was. The internet there is pretty good, $90 per month but you can stream easily and in fact i was geeking on PS4 COD most nights!
Dont worry about ringing home......get a local Afghan Roshan SIM card for your Iphone and you will find that ringing UK for 1 hour will cost literally few dollars compared to UK charges in general. Shows we get ripped off in the UK to be honest.
Ignore the worry stories about the Taliban listening in on the local phone network...they may do or not but the US are non-stop on mobiles so they will have more to listen to you than your interesting conversations back home.
HKIA is both dollars and euros so you can take both but dollars is easier to be honest. Any other US base is dollars.
Allanv said:
From an outsider it seems dangerous but being on either HKIA or HQ RS bases you are pretty safe. I can be a bit blase about it and when the rocket alarm used to go off at 3 in the morning i would drag myself out of bed moaning that the inconsiderate Insurgents woke me up and go to the bunker. Actually i used to stand outside wondering and watching where it was going to land.
These sort of things go off all the time, its only because of the elections its getting coverage outside of Afghanistan.
Yeah I'm not massively worried about safety really. There's a concern, obviously, but it's not like I'm in the trenches
I wouldn't mind taking my Xbox with me tbh Might be a bit extreme though... Thales will provide me a phone out there so I'll use that for any calls home and they can pay. I'll use my own for my social media and WhatsApp etc. if needed. And of course, PH and keeping this thread updated 
I'm more upset that I'm going to miss most of the hillclimb season this time. My worry is I get into the lifestyle of working away and never come back and do it properly! I'll cross that bridge as and when I come to it though.
I wouldn't mind taking my Xbox with me tbh
Might be a bit extreme though... Thales will provide me a phone out there so I'll use that for any calls home and they can pay. I'll use my own for my social media and WhatsApp etc. if needed. And of course, PH and keeping this thread updated I'm more upset that I'm going to miss most of the hillclimb season this time. My worry is I get into the lifestyle of working away and never come back and do it properly! I'll cross that bridge as and when I come to it though.
I have spent many months and many tours in places like that and I find it quite therapeutic to be honest.
There is something quite liberating about people not being able to hassle you to do stuff as you are thousands of miles away. It really can be the ultimate 'me' time, rediscover the joy of books, get yourself into the best physical shape of your life. Sleep like a baby.
And when you do come back you find yourself invigorated and with a real appetite for life again.
Good luck.
There is something quite liberating about people not being able to hassle you to do stuff as you are thousands of miles away. It really can be the ultimate 'me' time, rediscover the joy of books, get yourself into the best physical shape of your life. Sleep like a baby.
And when you do come back you find yourself invigorated and with a real appetite for life again.
Good luck.
Vaud said:
I see you are in Leeds - were you doing Harewood?
Yes on and off lol. Losing my 2017 car in the marriage breakup and starting over with a POS Impreza WRX made it difficult this year but I was looking forward to next season all the same. All being well, my months back home will coincide with a number of events and I will still get to play a small part. 272BHP said:
I have spent many months and many tours in places like that and I find it quite therapeutic to be honest.
There is something quite liberating about people not being able to hassle you to do stuff as you are thousands of miles away. It really can be the ultimate 'me' time, rediscover the joy of books, get yourself into the best physical shape of your life. Sleep like a baby.
And when you do come back you find yourself invigorated and with a real appetite for life again.
Good luck.
Cheers, I am thinking along those lines myself. Hopefully I'll do something I've meant to do for years and learn German properly as well. I'll certainly have time on my hands!There is something quite liberating about people not being able to hassle you to do stuff as you are thousands of miles away. It really can be the ultimate 'me' time, rediscover the joy of books, get yourself into the best physical shape of your life. Sleep like a baby.
And when you do come back you find yourself invigorated and with a real appetite for life again.
Good luck.
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