I think that this is one of those threads that unless you are in the know or are actually doing the job then you should stay on the sidelines or limit yourself to asking questions to those who are. I don't go into the FEDEX forums and tell them what I "think" because that and $1 will get you a soda.

So as a current ISR contractor here are my thoughts

-Anyone who thinks ISR is dying down with the drawdown is sadly mistaken. If anything ISR will ramp up as troops pull out. They will make up volume of troops with ISR. Will the roll change? You bet but there will always be a hot spot in the world and the US will always feel a need to have their fingers in it. Also as the "combat" troops pull out the contractors will still be there because that doesn't count when you are spouting BS to voters about pulling troops out of XXX. Now will I be in Afghanistan when it is down to the ANA doing our security? Not a chance.

-Africa is the new ISR frontier. Many companies are already there. I have 2 friends there right now and they are both making more than L-3 is paying in the sandbox. ( for those not in the know L-3 is the top money employer in Afghanistan.) Being in a "war" zone has nothing to do with pay. These are big money contracts no matter where they are.

- I also agree with the previous post about security. I honestly feel safer in Afghanistan right now that many cities I have been to in the US and most definitely safer than being in Africa off base. I have friends that were there last year and they moved houses twice in a 60 day rotation because people were taking pictures and filming them. Also not to be a war monger but I carry an M9 and M4 in the sandbox. They are unarmed in Africa on the contracts that I know of.

- There are SEVERAL other ISR contracts forming as we speak. ISR is now a proven need and US troops do not like to go into armed conflict without it. By troops I mean the SOC guys that Obama doesn't talk about in his press briefs. The US troops are just one customer also as when we provide "aid" ISR birds are at the top of the list.

- If you don't already have a clearance of some sort then you are probably pushing uphill trying to get in. I know one all civilian guy doing this work. He was hired by Dynamic in the beginning on a non-cleared contract and as he proved himself they got his clearance for him. Bottom line is that clearances are expensive. It is one thing to have a Secret and get it upgraded to a Top Secret but to have nothing and start from scratch is a tough road. There are way to many ex-military low hanging fruit to put the effort into someone starting at zero. Not saying it can't be done but I am saying it will be the exception not the rule.

- If you are applying you will most likely need turboprop PIC. We have a guy that was a senior Airforce Officer with LOTS of jet time and was brought in as a SIC. The contracts say Turboprop PIC and that is what they want to see.

I'll get off my soap box now. I just hate when people offer advice when they have no clue of what is really going on.

 

Your post is irrelevant since I was talking about safety...not pay.

 

I know a lot of pure civilian guys flying contracts with TS/SCI....it is a challenge and companies prefer current or past clearances, but it is not a show stopper.

 

Like Insaid not a show stopper but an uphill charge. I know of at least two of the main companies that currently will not hire you without an active clearance. They may call and might even out you in a pool but your chance of coming on contract is slim to none.

 

When did those guys get hired (year) ?

 

Within the past two years...

 

Someone without a clearance getting hired today would be like a 500 hour CFI getting on at Delta. Not saying it can't happen but won't be the norm.

 

Well, good for them. The fact of the matter, is today, 2014, or later, you basically need a clearance to get interviewed. I speak for L-3 and Avenge. You also almost need an internal guy to vouch for you/recommend you.

 

Reference my post above...I said it is a challenge..but not a show stopper.

 

Anyone attempting to apply to L-3 having problems with the website recently? I tried to update my app and I seem to always to the "error msg screen". Of course there is no live body to talk to, you just have to send an e-mail saying there is a problem and hope that someone reads it and gets back to you.