Offered a job in Afghanistan! Do I go?!
Discussion
I need some help and advice here guys... I've been offered an IT contract working for NATO in Afghanistan, so on a military base(s). Money wise it's no better than I'm getting now in Leeds, but I've wanted a change for ages, plus it will get me a decent level of Security Clearance again as my previous SC expired in August. Also, there will be zero travel or living expenses which should allow me to put the money into paying off a bit of personal debt instead.
But it's a whopping 75 days work in a row with no days off, then back home for a month's holiday. I'm really torn on this. On the one hand it's a great opportunity which could lead to even bigger opportunities. On the other it's mildly terrifying!
Split with the ex (wife) in December and have since done a few things like volunteering in Thailand which I never thought I'd do. This is not a job I could imagine doing if I was settled with someone and at 36 I expect that to happen again in the near future, so should I say f
k it and take my chance?
The one thing I'm worried about is being away from a girl I recently broke up with that I was hoping might come good at some point and her moving on. I know that's stupid but I did get pretty attached to her. I'd also have to leave my cats but my ex is happy to take them in while I'm away. The house is actually up for sale and I have told her to just move back in and take it over if I take the job and it hasn't sold by the time I go as it doesn't make sense for us both to pay to run a house and it to sit empty.
What do the PH massive think? I know it's ultimately my decision, I just don't want to get too far into the process then change my mind.
But it's a whopping 75 days work in a row with no days off, then back home for a month's holiday. I'm really torn on this. On the one hand it's a great opportunity which could lead to even bigger opportunities. On the other it's mildly terrifying!
Split with the ex (wife) in December and have since done a few things like volunteering in Thailand which I never thought I'd do. This is not a job I could imagine doing if I was settled with someone and at 36 I expect that to happen again in the near future, so should I say f
k it and take my chance?The one thing I'm worried about is being away from a girl I recently broke up with that I was hoping might come good at some point and her moving on. I know that's stupid but I did get pretty attached to her. I'd also have to leave my cats but my ex is happy to take them in while I'm away. The house is actually up for sale and I have told her to just move back in and take it over if I take the job and it hasn't sold by the time I go as it doesn't make sense for us both to pay to run a house and it to sit empty.
What do the PH massive think? I know it's ultimately my decision, I just don't want to get too far into the process then change my mind.
Yeah some parts of Leeds are pretty rogue! I've been informed they like to reuse folk and they will put you into bigger and better roles if they think you're capable.
The thing with me is I've always been Mr Average. I've never done anything remotely remarkable in my life and this is a chance to change that. I'll miss the girl though... Massively. And the cats. The ex being in the house really isn't an issue. Mortgage is in joint names anyway and she wasn't funny about moving out and leaving me there. We're actually very good friends and have already agreed the financial split etc. from the house so I'm very lucky in that regard. No kids etc. She even offered to put me up for a short period if the house sold quickly and I wasn't able to find somewhere to live straight away.
The thing with me is I've always been Mr Average. I've never done anything remotely remarkable in my life and this is a chance to change that. I'll miss the girl though... Massively. And the cats. The ex being in the house really isn't an issue. Mortgage is in joint names anyway and she wasn't funny about moving out and leaving me there. We're actually very good friends and have already agreed the financial split etc. from the house so I'm very lucky in that regard. No kids etc. She even offered to put me up for a short period if the house sold quickly and I wasn't able to find somewhere to live straight away.
DoubleTime said:
The rate and rotation could be better but it's not all that bad as a starting point for the rotation. Can you negotiate on rate? It will be tax free (of UK taxes at least) so you obviously won't need to worry about Ltd co etc back home on a rotation like that.
You need to find out if they will be transporting you to/from the airport to site (where you are based) and any other movements in armored vehicles (B6 Landcruisers etc) or if they are soft skin? If the latter, not a chance in hell I'd be going there. It is still very sketchy from what I hear and this is coming from guys who are used to working in those types of countries.
Additionally, you want to make sure they provide decent life insurance. Read the fine print - not all do.
Cheers for that, that's definitely the sort of detail I am interested in. You need to find out if they will be transporting you to/from the airport to site (where you are based) and any other movements in armored vehicles (B6 Landcruisers etc) or if they are soft skin? If the latter, not a chance in hell I'd be going there. It is still very sketchy from what I hear and this is coming from guys who are used to working in those types of countries.
Additionally, you want to make sure they provide decent life insurance. Read the fine print - not all do.
It's NATO stuff on a military base. They've never had any issues with security of staff or anything apparently. I'll be contacted by a guy who has been working out there for years shortly and will be able to ask him about living conditions etc.
I still don't know what the actual working hours are!
I still don't know what the actual working hours are!
I just know one day I will regret not going if I don't go. I've got a telephone interview tomorrow to make it official so if that goes OK and they make the official offer, I am very tempted to go back and tell them I have reservations about the rate once I have it confirmed that the end client wants me.
Hi all, appreciate all the input so far. I had the interview, it went well and they want me in. Haven't signed anything yet as need to submit a bunch of documentation first. but I have to be honest, I'm still very torn on this. It's mainly the money if I'm honest. It just feels wrong to go somewhere so dangerous for normal money...
But the opportunity of working for NATO is something that's a massive pull and could lead to work all over the world for me so that's the driver for this really. But yeah, still torn. Don't know whether to go back to them and tell them this and see if I can get more out of them now the end client wants me or whether that's bad form?
But the opportunity of working for NATO is something that's a massive pull and could lead to work all over the world for me so that's the driver for this really. But yeah, still torn. Don't know whether to go back to them and tell them this and see if I can get more out of them now the end client wants me or whether that's bad form?
Peteop thanks for your input, much appreciated.
Wow, some of you are truly savage. We got the cats as a couple and I kept the majority of them, I don't really care if people look disparagingly on that. Also my ex is a decent person and hasn't asked for anything of mine as part of our breakup or any future divorce, even going so far as to use a website where you can make an agreement you both sign that neither is entitled to this or that. She wouldn't refuse to leave as she knows I'm so pig headed I'd just come move back in if that happened, whether she liked it or not
Honestly, while I'm sure good intentioned, don't worry about the house. I'm not.
To answer some questions, no I am not on a huge daily rate. I am only looking at a desktop support job which will be easy as pie for me, but not massive wages. I'm starting to lean more towards NOT going after some of the responses in this thread, but what if I don't get another chance to work for NATO? Also, there is scope for progression there into better roles which will also pay more. In addition, if the house sold while I was away, I could literally come back to a job in any part of the country and resettle if it suited.
Those are some of the things I'm keen on. Plus the NATO Secret security clearance. And the opportunity to get a ride in a Hercules or a Chinook I just feel like it might give me a different perspective on life and the two and a half month detox might just do me a world of good
Wow, some of you are truly savage. We got the cats as a couple and I kept the majority of them, I don't really care if people look disparagingly on that. Also my ex is a decent person and hasn't asked for anything of mine as part of our breakup or any future divorce, even going so far as to use a website where you can make an agreement you both sign that neither is entitled to this or that. She wouldn't refuse to leave as she knows I'm so pig headed I'd just come move back in if that happened, whether she liked it or not
Honestly, while I'm sure good intentioned, don't worry about the house. I'm not. To answer some questions, no I am not on a huge daily rate. I am only looking at a desktop support job which will be easy as pie for me, but not massive wages. I'm starting to lean more towards NOT going after some of the responses in this thread, but what if I don't get another chance to work for NATO? Also, there is scope for progression there into better roles which will also pay more. In addition, if the house sold while I was away, I could literally come back to a job in any part of the country and resettle if it suited.
Those are some of the things I'm keen on. Plus the NATO Secret security clearance. And the opportunity to get a ride in a Hercules or a Chinook
I just feel like it might give me a different perspective on life and the two and a half month detox might just do me a world of good Shnozz said:
Reading your posts I am minded to agree with this. Sounds like justified escapism to me.
Get yourself down Lost & Found followed by Silks and away on a few holidays. If you still want to go and work in the arris end of nowhere register with some agencies and wait for the right paying opportunity at least.
I suppose there is an element of wanting to be away from it all for a bit, sure. But unless you're in a much higher role than myself, you don't often get opportunities to work in other countries for people like NATO. The fact I could get their security clearance and potentially get another job after this one in a less crazy place is a major motivator. Get yourself down Lost & Found followed by Silks and away on a few holidays. If you still want to go and work in the arris end of nowhere register with some agencies and wait for the right paying opportunity at least.
Sa Calobra said:
MC Bodge said:
I've met engineering contractors like that.
Some didn't bother going home very often.
Most were on their 2nd or 3rd (often Thai or eastern European) wife, paying for the wives and the their various offspring.
Living in cheap digs, working long hours abroad to pay for their dependents to live in nice houses that they rarely saw.....It seemed a strange life to me.
Well the OP is already looking after her cats, offered her his house. Some didn't bother going home very often.
Most were on their 2nd or 3rd (often Thai or eastern European) wife, paying for the wives and the their various offspring.
Living in cheap digs, working long hours abroad to pay for their dependents to live in nice houses that they rarely saw.....It seemed a strange life to me.
Now he's got to share a tight space with testerone-fueled men.
I'm having a very bad week and can't handle any extra stress!
I remember that thread actually
Last night I had a fight with a bolt that's totally rounded and won't shift, which means my classic Impreza still has an exhaust which has sheared off at the downpipe flange and will have to be dealt with by a garage which pisses me off as I like doing things myself.
In addition to this I have to take my daily WRX STI for an MOT this afternoon which has been frantically rearranged due to the other car's issue. Just don't need it!
I remember that thread actually
Last night I had a fight with a bolt that's totally rounded and won't shift, which means my classic Impreza still has an exhaust which has sheared off at the downpipe flange and will have to be dealt with by a garage which pisses me off as I like doing things myself.
In addition to this I have to take my daily WRX STI for an MOT this afternoon which has been frantically rearranged due to the other car's issue. Just don't need it!
So, re: the rate:
The agent has said we've already discussed it and it corresponds to the fact that you have no expenses while on site and apparently they are now counting on me.
I don't like that. The way he's said that, like he's trying to push me. It's left a slightly sour taste. I'm starting to go off the idea now to be honest, but I'm still worried I might pass up on a good opportunity. Him telling me that I have no expenses on site doesn't take away the bills I have back here that will still need to be paid, however.
The agent has said we've already discussed it and it corresponds to the fact that you have no expenses while on site and apparently they are now counting on me.
I don't like that. The way he's said that, like he's trying to push me. It's left a slightly sour taste. I'm starting to go off the idea now to be honest, but I'm still worried I might pass up on a good opportunity. Him telling me that I have no expenses on site doesn't take away the bills I have back here that will still need to be paid, however.
HustleRussell said:
Hoofkingray, only took 10 pages of people telling you you'd be mad.
That's not strictly true, there are plenty of people who have said the opposite. It's good to experience different ways of life and get into organisations like NATO, but I'm not being taken the piss out of. kingray, only took 10 pages of people telling you you'd be mad. 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
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
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.
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