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.
TroubledSoul said:
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 fk 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.
The cats and the girl you recently broke up with would be the least of my worries; the 75 days work without break and the thoughts of the ex back into the house that you're trying to sell are more than enough reason not to go away. 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.
That's even before taking into account we are talking about going Afghanistan! I think you'd have to be nuts to go there.
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.
TroubledSoul said:
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.
IMO 'Something to talk about', 'a story to tell' are not good enough reasons to sign up for punishing rotations in a location with elevated risk, it's not as though you're going to see the world is it. You've got no free time when you're on, you're probably living in a compound anyway, and when you're off you're coming home. Volunteering in Thailand was something, wasn't it?
Do a sensible job with a good work / life balance and salary and do more remarkable things with the proceeds...
I'd be up for it from the 'adventure' point of view, especially in the position you are in right now. Last big chance etc.
But why no uplift on wages? Either you're on fantastic salary just now, or they're being pretty tight. I was offered a demolition job out there and it was practically a year's salary for three months work.
But why no uplift on wages? Either you're on fantastic salary just now, or they're being pretty tight. I was offered a demolition job out there and it was practically a year's salary for three months work.
LimaDelta said:
HustleRussell said:
punishing rotations
It's 75 days! 10 and a bit weeks.The longest I ever did was 13 weeks straight and I was climbing the walls by the end of that.
It's hard to explain what living in that environment does to people but yep, 75 days straight working with no days off is tough, especially if they're 12hr days.
LimaDelta said:
HustleRussell said:
punishing rotations
It's 75 days! 10 and a bit weeks.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.
Edit to add: Echo what hustle russell says - you should be working a 6 day week on a rotation like that. If not, they are taking the pi$$.
You need to find out if they will be transporting you to/from the airport to site (where you are based) and any other movements in armored vehicles (B6 Landcruisers etc) or if they are soft skin? If the latter, not a chance in hell I'd be going there. It is still very sketchy from what I hear and this is coming from guys who are used to working in those types of countries.
Additionally, you want to make sure they provide decent life insurance. Read the fine print - not all do.
Edit to add: Echo what hustle russell says - you should be working a 6 day week on a rotation like that. If not, they are taking the pi$$.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 4th October 14:28
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.
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