Just in case others are not familiar with the true origin of the speech by W. Churchill with exemplifies the sprit of the British people and which does not and never will apply to KBR management scum…

Never was so much owed by so many to so few is the name commonly given to a speech made by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill at the height of the Battle of Britain on August 20, 1940. The actual line in the speech is Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few, although the abbreviated form is commonly used in popular culture.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for that clarification!

“Never have so many done so little for so much”

Ms Sparky’s Response:
I see a bumper sticker there!!

I haven’t heard too much from H.Brown lately. Maybe she understands history repeats itself ? Of course, I could be completely wrong!

A brief excerpt from history: Following the Fuhrer’s suicide, Joseph Goebbels decided to follow suit. He had his six children poisoned with a lethal injection by an SS doctor and then himself and his wife Magda shot by an SS orderly on May 1, 1945. With characteristic pathos and egomania he declared not long before his death: “We shall go down in history as the greatest statesmen of all time, or as the greatest criminals.”
KBR will be viewed as the later of the two.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
That’s my original slogan. I think I should make bumper stickers out of it!

Yep…she’s the mouthpiece for KBR. She should do jail time too.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
If you haven’t met him then it’s not important.

Interesting – As a British spark (sorry) I have just found the KBR’s website and have contacted them concerning a vacancy.

Could someone give a little more info on the companies that were specified above – I can’t find them on Google (IAP & SBH)

Thanks

Ms Sparky’s Response:
He’ll be one of those guys over there until that drag him off. With an attitude like that, maybe it will be in cuffs!

Ms Sparky’s Response:
So you are one of those guys who does everything he’s told no matter how dangerous!!! The only people I recommend not to go to Iraq are those who just aren’t cut out to do it. Other than that I have helped hundreds go over. We need good people over there. I am not about paying your bills. I am about helping to get changes done so that soldiers and civilians are safer. And KBR is doing what they are paid to do. If you are just about paying the bills the drug lords are looking for “mules”.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Don’t do it!

Ms Sparky’s Response:
I would consider another company if you can such as SBH or IAP. Staying home is always good!

I wish I could say that the information you provide here shocks and amazes me, the truth is it doesn’t. What we see here is a perfect storm of long standing bad actors and policies.

First, it is important to note that substandard work seems to have become a DOD hallmark. I think it is important to note that the Corp, at least here in the states, still runs a tight ship and so I don’t include them in this. But, here in the states, once you step beyond the Corp’s purview, all hell breaks loose. I work for a private contractor that does DOD work almost exclusively. Not a week goes by that I don’t see something that out right scares me on post (and we work on three of them.) Certainly not anything to compare to the pictures you show here, but things like romex strung right on ceiling grids, romex terminated in boxes with no fittings, open boxes, fire alarms systems with multiple trouble codes (one building I know of has close to three hundred) and numerous other code and safety issues prevale. A vast majority of this work is performed by the on post maintenance and operations contractors (can you say Government bid, or maybe no bid?) It disgusts me to see this. But, it stands to reason that if such things are allowed to occur on US soil, then they would be that much worse overseas where inspection and oversite are even less likely.

Add to that the spectre of KBR. If you do your background on them you find that they are not only a serious rat contractor but they also have a horrendous track record in the quality and safety departments. At this poin they almost have to milk the Government teat as no private sector party will take them seriously. Luckily, uncle sucker is willing to dole out the no bid contracts to the likes of KBR.

A no bid contract to a company famous for cutting corners. A remote overseas work location with minimal to no oversight. I system that is already broken and overlooks substandard work. This was a receipe for disaster from the get go. But, the administration is willing to hand over a tasty contract to KBR on what reeks of a backscratcher deal. And KBR is more than willing to line their own pockets by cutting corners. The deaths are on their heads, and unless held legally accountble, they aren’t likely to shed a tear. I feel for the families of the lost, for the soldiers in harms way while stepping in a shower and the employess that have to “go along to get along” and wind up doing work they know is wrong. A lot of victims and only one winner… KBR.

I am proud of you and those like you for shining the light on this. Keep up the good work.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for the awesome comment and support!

Ms Sparky’s Response:
You wages SHOULD stay the same. It is my understanding that you will roll into LOGCAP IV.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Very good point…mate.

On a side not… electricians getting 122k now? good to hear. Its about time they finally started making more.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Finally. It took several deaths and good spanking from Congress.
As far the x-mas card goes…highly unlikely.

Oregon has an online test for grounding and bonding and nec updates.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
From what I’ve been told. There is a short 10 question phone quiz and then an open book code test in Houston.

[quote]A small test to confirm that we are familiar with the NEC especially Art. 250 and perhaps some briefings on what we are to expect in Iraq. [/quote]

Lets have no doubt, it is based on the NEC

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Yep!!! Thanks!!

1. I’m glad KBR is getting the top guns and all of the licensed electricians, although some that I’ve met don’t even know what a ‘short’ or a ‘VOM’ is.

2. The Electricians are making 122k, based on a 7X12 work week, which is an almost 50% premium over what the plumbers and HVAC guys are getting.

3. KBR is not for me. My recruiter promised me the same 122k, but I found out at the contract sihgning that it was only 84k — after 4 of 5 days of being hered around like cattle. I went home, but some of the plumbers and HVAC guys stayed anyway. The guys who found out at contract had female recruiters, the guys who knew of the lower pay had male recruiters.

4. I had met some real low lifes at the DPC — tattoos on the face, neck and knuckles; illiterate and fowl mouthed; with no redeeming graces and without a dollar in their pocket. Very sad. I also met some truly righteous folks, who, had I stayed on, would have been friends for life.

5. I would recommend anyone going over there to think twice: KBR will lie and won’t even give you the courtesy of a phone call.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
The lying starts before you ever get to Houston and just continues.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Good Point!

Seems like KBR likes to spin the truth.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Sometimes I just can’t see the forest for the trees!! That’s a very valid point! Any comment KBR?
As far spinning the truth…this is so far from the truth it’s outrageous.

And I still haven’t seen the raise they said we would get.

They are just liars all around.

Ms Sparky’s Response:
Yep!

Ms Sparky’s Response: