Demand for experienced General Contractors?

by Mark
(Utah)

I have 25 years experience in General Contracting of commercial building projects. The last 12 years of that experience I started and ran my own company. Fortunately I was able to retire early and my VP is now the majority stock holder with the company still in business.

Unfortunately, the last 1 1/2 years down turn in the economy has severely reduce my retirement funds and I am hopeful I can recoup most of the lost funds in a couple of years service in the middle east.

I have a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Colorado and military experience.

I am aware of the living conditions in a combat zone as I spent one year on the ground with the Infantry as an Artillery forward observer and the second year as an Artillery adviser to an Infantry Brigade Commander.

I would like information regarding the following:

1. What companies perform work in the area of my
experience in the middle east?
2. What companies perform work in the area of my
experience in Iraq & Afghanistan (danger zones)?
3. What may I expect to earn with my experience?
4. Am I less desirable as a result of not being a
young man?
5. What companies have a 6 day work week and other
benefits that are nice to have?
6. Is it possible to bypass the stateside corporate
structure and go straight to the person in the
area of operation to search for a need that
hasn't been filled?
7. How long does it normally take for a civilian to
get the the type clearance needed for comeone
with my experience (secret or etc.)?
8. How long do you think it would take someone with
my experience to actually get a job and be on
site in the country of employment (assuming there
is a need)?