The Nature of the Beast: Interview with a Contractor Pt. I

I first met "Nero" at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, in 1998. After a winter there, he flew to Indonesia for a vacation, where he narrowly escaped death in the 2002 Bali terrorist bombings. He has since done two contracts in Iraq, and is presently in Afghanistan.

Comparing the contracts, why do you prefer the combat zone to the Antarctic contract?

Even just applying for a job in the Middle East, the company gave me a list of the living conditions, such as:

• You will be living in tent city in an 8-10 man GP Medium tent (like on the show M*A*S*H)

• If there is a Biological or Chemical attack and you are a casualty your body will be CREMATED and sent home.

I especially love the part where they describe the conditions as "like on the show M*A*S*H", because most of these clowns can only relate to TV for an idea of anything outside their worlds. They have to make parallels and visuals for these people who have never owned a passport, nor ever traveled, nor even read of other places or cultures.

"I am making six figures doing a job that is one of the easiest I have ever had."

Nevertheless, the main reason that the War Zones pull people in is the pay. Antarctica offered nickels and dimes compared to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Combat Pay is ridiculous. The other night I was out drinking and ran into this guy who makes $15,000 every two weeks setting up IT systems. Some are making $400,000 a year working security or supervision.

I am making six figures doing a job that is one of the easiest I have ever had. I had a supervisor in Camp Taji who couldn’t read or spell or speak or really do anything productive besides breathe and smoke cigarettes. She labeled our Supply Manual with "Suppy Manula" and she was making six figures.