Job Checklist
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At a minimum, these are some of the things you will want to know before traveling to the Middle East. Each situation is different, so if you have any questions send me a message through the FAQ page on this site.
Facility Access
Will I have access to the exchange stores, dining facilities
and Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities? You might think
this would be assumed, where else are you going to go, but not all
contractors are allowed access to the US dining facilities. Some non-US
contractors must eat in their own dining facilities.
Living Quarters
What type of living quarters will I have? Will I be living in a tent or trailer? Will I have a roommate? Is it a “wet trailer"? Meaning it has running water or a "dry trailer" meaning it doesn’t. Most don’t.
Does the contract provide a trailer for its own employees? Some companies have purchased and installed living quarters for their own employees including wet trailers. It can make all the difference.
Medical Care
Is basic medical care covered as part of the contract? It
sounds obvious, what else are you going to do, but check to make sure.
Salary
What is the base salary? Is overtime included and if so how many hours a week? I don’t know about you, but I wanted to work every hour that I could, which was the whole point.
What kind of bonuses are included and when are they paid? Sometimes these are paid up front, at the end of the tour or incrementally throughout the year.
Is a paid trip home included? Some companies will provide a return trip home half way through the contract or even quarterly.
Vehicles
Will you have use of a vehicle on post? A vehicle is not always necessary, but it sure comes in handy.
The Contract
What is the length of the contract? This is important as you don’t want to quit your job at home, travel to the Mideast for a lucrative opportunity only to find out that the contract is up for a rebid.
