I have probably gotten hundreds of complaints from CSA employees past and present about what is going on with CSA in Kuwait. (click HERE to read some of those) It’s an OMG situation over there. I think CSA could be one of the DoD’s best kept dirty little secrets! I know I have made numerous reports to various agencies and referred countless current and former employees as well.
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Oversight lacking on war costs
By RICHARD LARDNER
Associated Press Writer
This digitally altered March 15, 2008, photo, provided in response to a Freedom of Information Act request for documents about the performance of defense contractor Combat Support Associates, was taken by U.S. military personnel, who included it in a March 2008 inspection report, and shows a for-hire guard asleep in a watch tower at a U.S. military base in Kuwait. The photo was digitally altered before release by the U.S. military to remove the guard's name. After the photo was taken the U.S. Army sergeant performing the routine inspection woke the guard, who, according to the report, said, "It's so weird that I can close my eyes for one second and then you appear out of nowhere." (AP Photo/Department of Defense)
WASHINGTON (AP) — During a routine check of a watch tower at a U.S. military base in Kuwait, an Army sergeant found the guard leaning back in a chair, his sunglasses on, apparently sound asleep. When the soldier woke the guard, an employee of a defense contractor named Combat Support Associates, he denied he’d dozed off while on duty.
“It’s so weird that I can close my eyes for one second and then you appear out of nowhere,” the guard said, according to the sergeant’s March 2008 inspection report.
The episode illustrates the problems between the U.S. armed forces and the industrial army supporting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Demand for contractor services is heavy, while oversight of their work isn’t. That means problems often aren’t discovered until long after the payments have been made.
A major trouble spot is the business systems and procedures that companies use to bill the government. The numbers are eye-popping. Defense auditors have found at least $6 billion in questionable charges generated by sloppy accounting or, worse, contractors trying to bilk the military.
Yet, the Pentagon has done a poor job of recovering the money and forcing companies to improve, according to the independent Commission on Wartime Contracting. The panel cites dysfunction among auditors and contract managers, a shortage of personnel and a failure to be more confrontational with contractors who don’t measure up.
Based in Orange, Calif., Combat Support Associates is a largely unknown enterprise that, since 1999, has held an Army contract worth $2.7 billion to support U.S. troops at bases in Kuwait as they move in and out of Iraq. The company’s responsibilities include vehicle maintenance, warehousing, computer repairs and post security.
Between 2003 and 2007, when the U.S. invaded Iraq and then became ensnared in a lengthy counterinsurgency, there was little government scrutiny of the company’s business systems, according to interviews and government records obtained by The Associated Press through the Freedom of Information Act.
In late 2007, the military belatedly began paying attention. Numerous contract violations were found, several of them serious, leading to a flood of what contracting officials call corrective action requests. Last fall, the Army Criminal Investigation Command opened an inquiry to determine if Combat Support Associates overbilled the government. The case is ongoing.
The records obtained through FOIA show money flowing to Combat Support Associates despite an alarming catalog of problems later uncovered by Army contracting officials.
In one case, the company signed a $48 million deal with a Kuwaiti company to provide food, lodging and transportation for employees, but it did no detailed study to justify such a large expense. A memorandum supporting the buy included a price analysis three sentences long, which an Army review team called a “major systemic weakness.”
The documents detail other deficiencies. The company failed to properly secure classified communications gear and weapons stored in warehouses. And it was written up for having no system in place to check the identification of contract employees – who are often not American citizens – at U.S. maintenance facilities in Kuwait.
In the past two years alone, Combat Support Associates received dozens of warnings from the government to improve performance, the records show. Several of those have been Level Three warnings, which are issued only in cases of serious noncompliance with the terms of a contract.
None of this appears to have dented the company’s bottom line, however. Over the past decade, its performance has been rated as excellent, very good or good, according to the Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Ill. With those marks, Combat Support Associates has earned close to $90 million.
Part of the problem is a type of government contract that critics say diminishes the incentive for companies to keep down costs. The government agrees to reimburse the contractor for expenses, such as costs for equipment, leasing space and hiring subcontractors, plus a prearranged amount for profit.
For the military, however, these so-called cost-plus contracts are useful in wartime, when it can’t precisely define all the work that needs to be done.
Gary Lewi, a spokesman for Combat Support Associates, said all of the corrective action warnings have been or are in the process of being resolved to the “satisfaction of the client.”
As for the sleeping guard? He resigned, said Lewi, who provided no further details.
How the company’s contract will fare is up in the air. It expires in March, and Army officials say they’re contemplating changes in how they handle the base support work.
Jeffrey Parsons, executive director of the Army Contracting Command at Fort Belvoir, Va., said he expects the arrangement to be broken up into smaller, more manageable pieces that will generate competition and improve performance. (The original AP article no longer has an active link)
OK CSA employees. I know that CSA employees (past and present) can be very passionate about their complaints. Tell us more about what is going on.
Ms Sparky
Other Related Posts From Ms Sparky
- 10 years of fraud and corruption finally the taxpayer gets a promise, how about some action?!
- ITT awarded Kuwait Base Operations and Security Support Services (K-BOSSS)
- Combat Support Associates (CSA) employees seek class action in Kuwait (update)
- Another Soldier dies of non-combat related injuries in his room
- Is DoD asleep on the job in Kuwait too?
Ms Sparky, that rocks, CSA is an emberassment to those of us who work contracts professionally.
Hey Ms Sparky, Hows things? I didn’t know you were blogging CSA Kuwait… Well I’ve been home for 4 months now and turned down the job offer with CSA back in 8/09. I wanted to be home with the family and was able to find work home. But still living check to check. I really didn’t save any money the first year in afghanistan working with KBR…and boy you really shit on them..Well I have another opportunity to return overseas and work with CSA. I want to go back, this time to stack my doe. I know the living conditions are much better then afghanistan,plus I’m not working 7 12′s. The money may be less but I think you have a better quailty of life in kuwait. I also know their contract is up, but so is KBR’s and they are still in Iraq and Afghanistan. I want to stay for one to two years and save up as much money as I can and come home and invest in a business…..I would like to hear your toughts Thank
I don’t think I’ve had one positive comment from people at CSA. I recommend you have money on hand for a plane ticket home or you will be stranded of you quit or get fired. There are a lot of former CSA people who can give you the straight scoop!
Keep me posted.
Are there any former or current CSA employees that can give me the low down on CSA Kuwait. I would like to know about the quality of living and the locations. Are they in the hood, and what about CSA in whole.Should I leave a job in the states to hopefully work in kuwait and hate it….trust me I’ve been to Afghanistan and that place sucks…so kuwait should be like heaven I hope. holla back please
uptight, I’m currently working for CSA and it was one of the worst moves i’ve ever made. Before coming over to CSA I had two job offers and thought this would be a better move, boy did I make a mistake. The recruiters tell you so much BS it’s crazy. They tell you that you’ll share a car on ur days of sure you do if you rent one, it’s busses for you. The FALA living allowence comes out of your own check and given to you in Kuwait Dinars. If you work in the northern camps you have to wake up at 0330 so you can take the 1 1/2 bus ride to work, your constantly being remined that you can be fired for anything and everything. The equipment sucks, if you need a new uniform 3 ppl have to say its torn enough. Sure Kuwait is nice but the ppl here hate us, they forgot who saved there asses. During guardmount you get talked at and not to. Check the turnover rate. You wont get fired during the first 90 days cos CSA get’s 90 thousand per person, after that ur free game. Dont even think about a secret clearence, cos your not going to get it the US Govt pays CSA 10 thousand per clearence and someones getting that money. So forget about it. All this for a mere 13.70 a hour, never again i’m out in March
Thanks James…..hey can anyone tell me about CH2MHill
DON’T DO IT!!! There other jobs out there. CSA is a bunch of liars.
James,If there are other opportunites overseas,can you please give me those links….thanks
Have you worked for CSA before?
Uptight,
Yes I unfortunately worked for CSA. Gave up a good job in the process for it too. And got screwed out of 1000′s. “Hand to God” Many people that I was there with have already switched jobs, are looking to switch jobs, wanting to quit, or have quit. It’s s tough life style. Just google Overseas contract jobs. Couldn’t tell you of anything else. Good luck.
How long were you out there, and how was the living conditions? how much overtime was there. It can’t be as bad as Afghanistan…or could it
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a team of under-cover persons (with the powers of arrest) such as the character “Brubaker”, played by Robert Redford – infilterated many of these unethical, illegally run military contracting companies and got the goods on them doing the crime? By the way – “Brubaker” was based on a true story. Watch it sometime.
More people need to realize that speaking out against Illegal,Immoral acts such as fraud,harassment,intimidation and retaliation is NOT ‘whining’,'bitching’ or ‘crying’ about anything,It is a RIGHT guaranteed by the 1st and 14th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
Have the Courage to stand up,speak out and be heard-bullies are cowards under a bright light.
Well a lot of things that is going on or went on has been reported on this website. An employee reported Kelly Helms for timesheet fraud and Paul Mckay did not terminate her. Also, there are several local hires and western hires without a U.S. driver’s or Kuwait license,but your job description says that you must have one. I know one person in particuliar who is a western at KNB without a U.S. drivers license. There are many CAR’s that CSA has especially in Retrograde and Security.
CSA, What can you say good about them. Many have heard the stories about the abuses or problems on the ground but have you heard the stories of how they treat people who get sick or hurt on the job. They fire these people without notice, without warning. But that is not what bothers me the most.
What bothers me the must is when CSA Management and the US Army Base Commander (Col. Miller) allowed CSA LTD to out a hangman’s noose at a maintenance meeting. There are many pictures of the incident around but it seems that the government and news agencies alike are not interested in a story like this. |The bad thing about it is that the management know who hung the noose and nothing was done about it. So if CSA can get away with something some insulting then why do we expect for anyone else do anything about them.
Just for the record for you that do not know, CSA Ltd is owned by former Generals and there wives and with these type connections do you really think that the government will punish them.
Should anyone from the press or Government wish to discuss the waste and discrimination that occurs at CSA please feel free to contact me through this website.
Brian CSA sucks, I’m working for the company right now, as a security guard and it sucks, unless your a female then you’ll get the office jobs. We have a female who just got hear and she’s now in the office, they moved her because she’s cute.
first thing let me say this the guy sleeping in that picture did not resign. he continued his contract until it was finished. i worked for csa as security and a armorer. the company was under investigation for ghost employees and many other things. csa is cheating the government. they are suppose to have some many people on different post but they will move people around so the military thinks there doing right. example 10 personel are need at gate 1 and 5 need at gate 2. the will have maybe 7 at gate 1 and 3 at gate 2. well at another post there might be 5 personel and when the army startes to head out to do there audits they will move 3 personel from 1 post to another and as soon as the army leaves they send though 3 personel to other post so it looks like there meeting the army standards. that is where ghost employees come in. those 3 people where missing at gate 1. they use there ghost employees. i know this bc i saw it with my own eyes. i was one of those guys getting moved around while the army was doing there audits.
Do’s anyone have any information about the incident with CSA and the FBI, I have been trying to find out why the FBI were called in the first place.
Let me start by saying, “YES I do work for CSA”. I have been with CSA Security for over 6 years now and I have seen the company grow very large, very fast due to the US Army’s high demand for contractors to support the never ending, always changing missions. Some mission requirements are extremely difficult to accomplish in such short time frames. For the DOD Civilians and Military personnel that work hand and hand with CSA Security, they would definitely tell a different side to the story. Yes, I have seen CSA go through hard times, but also good times as well. We must have done something right for the US Army to keep us around for over ten years. Yes the contract was/is a cost plus contract, but that doesn’t mean we get everything we NEED, ie; Air Condition Units for our officers. For almost three years now we have several guard posts with no A/C units. OK, lets think about this, we are in Kuwait with extreme temperatures, we try to order A/C units for these posts and it gets shot down. All we can do is try again because everything has to get approved. The mission is still getting done. For what its worth I think all contract companies in the region have their faults, either internally or with the US Government. No contract company is perfect. I think the US Army is over all pleased with the performance of CSA, giving them GOOD to EXCELLENT ratings over the years. For the previous blog entries, not all, are being written by people that never worked for CSA or were terminated for cause throughout some part of their contract. For the civilian population back home in the States, our security officers, most contractors for that matter not only CSA, are working 12-13 total hours a day, sometimes 6 days a week, away from family and friends, and the american lifestyle that most of us love so much. I applaude every hard working contractor out there who is doing the right thing in supporting our Great Men and Women of the United States Military. God Bless.
The ratings are based on certain criteria met, and not because they are treating their people right. Most officers still keep a good work ethic despite the quality of new hires, and attrition.
That guy is brain washed he’s been hear to long CSA is not a good company and i’ve been hear for 1 year now, security is the worst job ever in CSA.
Hmmmmm, Mediator, I am willing to say we all applaud the Men an Women working in that environment who are doing the right thing. I’m curious as to who You are, I am also sure many of us would be able to say wether You’re part of the problem. There were very few people in leadership positions that were good to go. Some of the ones who were good were injured by doing the job the proper way. If You can actually sit there and write that CSA isn’t corrupt and doesn’t have serious issues. It’s an easy determination that You’re one of the issues.
csa all the way said,on October 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
HMM, are you mrs A.B.? who used to work for K.W.?
bjohnson said,on October 13th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
you did not mention what happens when your fellow comrades call in sick to short the post. Who does that hurt?? You or the USG? It only makes those who come to work, work that much harder, so you can enjoy your boat parties.
I just ran across this article in the Kuwait Times. CSA sound like you could also call them KBR South!
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTA0Njk1OTUyMQ==
DO THE RIGHT THING… ALWAYS. One of the 7 tenets of excellence. I don’t think so. It should be, “Do the right thing for the company always.” If it benefits the company its ok to change or interpret policy. If it means the company doesn’t have to pay something to the employee then the company can interpret its policy to something different then what it actually printed. I know of several such instances.
Ms sparky is a forum for employees who have things to say, can say it without fear of being called a troublemaker by management. Believe me this site is talked about at the highest weekly meetings with CSA/CSA, ltd., top management. There have been ER investigations into what was put on this site. So is it getting attention? Yes, and I think that is great. All of us in Kuwait know that this site is blocked theater wide (isn’t that right “csa all the way”?) Why do that if your not worried?
I was at the meeting that “bigdaddy” referenced above. I know the people (mechanics) involved were given minor disciplinary action. Should have been more. To include the maintenance directors (DOM) (GL)comments: “We are going to give away some certificates and then we are going to hang some folks.” He was later promoted to DPM. Currently not working for CSA I think.
“Mediator” hit it on the button. We (i work for csa too) do this so we can provide a better life for our family. Put up with it or there is always chicken or pasta. With the unemployment the highest it has been in years families are flocking to contract companies overseas to make a few bucks and ride out the storm.
The company will hire people that may not be the ideal candidate with the thought of “He/She is trainable” is what is really hurting the company. A statement from the ex-company prez was “we don’t have any Harvard grads here” really stands true to include our management. Management have so many “operations” folks that it really chokes the company. These “operations” personnel do nothing else except put lies on a slide so the directors can look good in front of the execs. Many directors look at their briefing for the first time at the meeting and sometimes look stupid in front of the top 3.
CSA, Ltd., looses the best employees to other companies due to not doing the right thing for the employee. If you owe an employee money give it to them (we are not here because we love the sand and sun). Its a small loss to keep a good employee. Maybe some decisions should be based on employee commitment and annual appraisal instead of “likership.”
Now on to my last thing. DANGER PAY. I know the senior mangers reading this just cringed. CSA does not have a “danger pay clause” in its contract to the military. So they don’t pay it to the employees. Although the employees contract stipulate danger pay the company refused to pay it. Can anyone say major lawsuit? Or should we just let it go so we don’t get the same old side talk we normally get?
CSA / CSA, ltd., Do the right thing for your employees that have been with you for years. Give them what they are supposed to receive and stop sharing it with the joint venture partners. Maybe if you did the right thing you wouldn’t have such bad comments on this forum.
Well, I’ve talked with an attorney who tells me that CSA is judgement proof since the headquarters had been listed as the Cayman islands. So the danger pay is a no-go as a potential lawsuit. I tried to contact DCMA and have heard nothing. Ditto for my congressional rep. Dropped tips to major newspapers, but nada. Nope, ain’t nothing gonna change.
I think I read at one time that danger pay is no longer given once 10yr has passed from the war.
is csakuwait corrupt??i was told by a kuwaity lawyer that the living allowance for each employee starts at 1100kd but then has deductions for housing and auto rent if this is true someone is getting a pocket full of cash every month lets see 450kd for appartment divided x3 = 150kd per person car rental 80kd per month divided x3 = 27kd lets figure this up and see where were at hmmm i think 923kd thats a long way from the 288kd we receive a month now reverse that 450×3=1350kd for appartment rent to csa 80×3=240 to csa for car rent who is makein the money?? 1590kd per month to csa per employee and theres about 2000 employees i think that comes to about 3180000kd now if you convert that to $$$$ thats a nice bonus someone is getting.oh one more thing if you work for csa be sure not to get hurt in anyway or you might find your inurance is not very good and if your off work with injuries for a period of time you will find your vacation time is gone and your living allowance might stop.and lets not get started on time sheet fraud and things of that sort im sure this site would turn into a novel.
one thing that really has my curiosity up here at csa is how do the british get the jobs in management with no secret clearance i thought that was a must if handleing secret documents and such looks like somethings a bit on the sly.and what about uplift here in kuwait some companies give that but i guess working for csa doesnt count even with bomb threats and people trying to sneak to the fence…..
True, some were fired for not being able to get clearances, a few “select”others are hidden in jobs that require clearances, and still work those postions. Top Senior Management is well aware of this, must be, they condone the fact that there ARE STILL PEOPLE IN THOSE POSITONS.
Now , they can not hide that fact at all, also while we are on this kick, what about employess who live 3 or so to an apt, and mgrs living in posh, vastly over paid places? Heck, I know for certain of a guy named JT, who is a ops guy mgr, does he deserve a HUGE place ??? No, he does not, there are aslo few select others who get great apts in new buildings at the drop of the hat. I know there is personal preferences going on here, all the while other VALID housing complaints are not being looked into by, ” MISS KR, WHO THINKS SHE IS AN ARAB WANNABE”
do you forget about all of us worker bees who REALLY make the money from the comapny??? It sure seems that way, by how unjustly your actions leave us no other way not to.
And, just how many people have no real job, and get away with little or no production for the betterment of the company? The ones who put up with your crap , day in and day out just get walked on??????????????????
For every new hire who gets certified, CSA receives $160,000 from the government. They will do all they can to keep you here until you pass the certification. Afterwards, they don’t care.
While working in the last month, I observed many policy violations (laptop use, phone use, sleeping, etc.) all in one day.
During training, the speed of the search was stressed. It appeared that speed was more important than the quality of the search. I have observed personnel “going through the motions” while searching.
Lastly, the only reason the ratings have been good to excellent is because when the “quality control team” and the military team who tests to see if CSA is conducting a thorough search have a heads up as to when they are coming through hours in advance.
All camps keep a watch and inform each other of the whereabouts of the various inspection teams. The “heads up” is not hours in advance, but up to the minute.
hello,
i have sent my resume into CSA, have i made a mistake, or is it honest work for honest money
It depends. I have gotten tons of complaints for current and former employees and it would appear they are being investigated by the DoD but so is just about every other contractor. If they ask you to do things that are outside your personal and professional integrity limits, or observe fraudulent or criminal activity report it to the DoD or local authorities.
If it’s with Security…be very AWARE. Be prepared to face the elements without protection for your eyes, lungs, and skin. Harassment is status quo, and “brown-nose policy” is in effect. SOP’s are subject to discretion. The expression, “the only constant is change”, permeates all aspects of the dept. Security clearances are non-issue.
You can be honest personally, and take your pay but understand that the company is crooked. I’d say that most contractors are shady in some ways, but CSA seems to get high marks in comments I’ve gotten from people who came there after other contract work.
Puller58,
You can report things happening that you feel is wrong to CSA/Aecom hotline at 1-888-299-9602 within the USA and if u are overseas just call the dsn operator they will put u thru to a toll free call. Call from an office though, because most bases, well air force bases have automatic tellers that will cut your phone call short after 15 minutes, have all your facts straight before you call, CSA is investigating everything now
I am considering applying with AECOM for an electricians position in Afghanistan and would greatly appreciate corresponding with anyone working for them in Afghanistan.Thanks
Al Ahlea Circle Cleaning Company cleans the majority of the military bases in Kuwait and they are the sponsor of CSA Employees in Kuwait. These cleaning crews have two shifts working 24/7. They actually clean for a maximum of 4 hours a day and the rest of the time they are sleeping or on break, when this is reported for your monthly report for subcontractors, there is nothing done or their contract is not lost. There is such a high turnover in the procurement department of CSA that subcontracted daily reports are hardly ever looked at. There was also a local recreational equipment company that was charging a horrendous amount for work that was reportedly done by his workers. In fact, the subcontracted employee never showed up for jobs or just walked into a facility and walked out. He was eventually caught after some time.
Mediator you are a funny person. A real “brown nose” kind of company person. I see you are very defensive about this subject as you should be. It is one thing to support the company but to embarrass one’s self doing it is another. Everyone that has worked for CSA, past and present, recognized the problems that has been occurring since day one. We all knew it but as long as we were getting paid we stayed. When we met our personal goals we left. Stop trying to justify why you are still there with CSA. If you are happy stay but stop telling lies about CSA not being corrupt. After all some of us saved files that we may someday have to bring to light. I just hope that you are not on any of those files. More than likely you are!
I am a CSA employee and work for the Security department. I just have to say that I’ve never seen so many people come and go out of a place so fast. It’s headed by three old-timer bullies who they call Holmes, Levy and Turja. Everything is covered up in this place and we are scared to lose our job if we come forward with any of the corruption that goes on. But I will say that there are a hand full of security personnel who work in camp Ali Al Salim and Buehring who are letting and helping female soldiers sneak off base for sexual favors, I have seen it myself. These soldiers who are supposed to be representing our country are getting off base and making it known to the local Kuwaities that they will sleep with them for money in order to make an extra quick buck. The CSA employees who guard the gates are in on this scheme. Please look into this because it can’t be good for our reputation.
I have a list of lies that CSA told me. I have numerous reasons why I quit. I also had to pay my way home. “Not what the recruiter said would happen if I quit.” I am also waiting on my last check. CSA claims I didn’t turn in my CAC card. We don’t get CAC cards, so I very well couldn’t turn one in now can I? I already contacted the BBB. I think CSA wants to keep me in the system so that they can claim 160,000 for me even though I didn’t stay 90 days. Does anyone else know of a company that helps in ordeals like this. Thanks and good luck.
I would love to talk to you more about this. You can email me by clicking on the Contact Us tab in the upper right corner of the page. Also….Contact the DoD Inspector General. All that info is here. http://mssparky.com/2009/06/dod-inspector-general-hotline/
The BBB could care less about overseas contractors. Also, contact the DCMA at that camp/site. I may be able to help you out with that.
You are not the first, and probably not the last to be treated in such manner. The company will make many claims to keep you on payroll. The CAC is just the issue to keep your FALA and other benefits. You heard the many things that the company would do if you leave early. History just repeated itself. Remember, your passport and VISA were ready, despite their claims.
To anyone wanting to resign from CSA before their contract ends, CSA will not pay your last paycheck. They will keep the money to pay for visa fees that they occurred. It is best to resign when your paycheck is deposited into your account. A lot of people got burned this way.
The way the pay period is set up, you will always lose your money. They love to screw people.
I have worked for several contractors in several overseas locations-Yes,They all sucked!Corruption,cronyism and maltreatment is the NORM.In Kosovo with ITT,out of a group of over 120 brand new people at FOB Monteith approximately 20 of us made it to the end of the year through sheer force of Will.Harassment,intimidation and assinine writeups while off base visits to russian mafia-run brothels occurred as nightly field trips(snuck in and out through the back gate) and black hat’supervisors’staggered around camp monteith drunk.Half-Wits brandishing loaded weapons at each other,public urination and overt sexual harassment of local nationals at the gates were accepted practice and If you spoke out you were on ‘the list’-you were told and shunned,scorned and subjected to the icy glares of the black hatted gestapo.CSA is the same old group of ex army NCO drunken Idiots,they migrate from one company to another like some foul,bespattered specie of flightless bird….
No matter who, what, when, why, and where, it’s not what you know, but who you know and blow. That is the only way to get ahead in places like that. I am sorry so many of us get screwed over for attempting to do the right thing. Good luck to us all.
As a former CSA Manager I can tell you first hand that CSA Senior Management is ethically challenged. I filed an EEO complaint with the with base contracting office and a federal agency and due to the fact that CSA Ltd is an offshore company they are not obligated to comply US labor law. Once I filed this complaint I was in the CSA cross hairs. I was fortunate to have completed my contract and left with my integrity in tact. CSA has adopted the Kuwaiti mentality that does not respect foreign nationals (non-westerners) and treats people based on your nationality and passport. Looking forward to ITT getting the contract away from CSA.
Ethically challenged! I love that! I am going to have to use that!
A month and half after I resigned, I final got my last check from CSA. They deducted over 1600 dollars. Of course the recruiter didn’t mention that, just like he didn’t mention numerous other things. I hope and pray whom ever is in charge of that company gets whats coming to him. A WARNING TO ALL. RECRUITERS LIE AND TELL HALF TRUTHS. Just like the military recruiters. Good luck to the honest people, and to all those liars, have fun in hell.
All
CSA, LTD. is a subsidiary of a US company Combat Support Associates. Additionally, they are a major subcontractor as they do 99% of the work on the CASK contract. Combat Support Associates is most certianlly subject to prosecution for the acts of CSA, LTD. In fact I would not be surprized to see several whistle blower suites being prosecuted in the near future.
CSA is actually a subsidiary AECOM, CSA is the acronym for Combat Support Associates.
Hello Ms Sparky, I hope Washington and Oregon are treating You well, I miss it myself
) It’s a new year, I’m interested in the new things CSA will do. Let me clarify, not new things, I should have said, things in the new year. I still have friends who work for CSA Security, it’s still the same thing. I’m in Iraq, the company I work for is good. It’s amazing how a company can do so much better when they treat the employees right. As messed up as Iraq is, it’s still not as bad as Kuwait, and Kuwait is free, the citizens (besides the abused Bedoons) make great money.
The Upper and Middle management of CSA have become so accustomed to how they treat people. W/ out naming a name I recently worked alongside a former CSA Manager. He quit this job because we did not show him the proper respect. He disliked when we as a peer group called BS on his BS. I forsee this type of behavior in the future of all former CSA management. They don’t know how to really work, they expect everyone to believe some stupid story in an attempt to cover up their lack of knowledge.
The unfortunate part is these folks are being hired by other companies based off of their resumes and the listing of their experience as management of a large security force.
Rock on, it’s fun to see them fumble.
In ref to Old Mules, british working with no clearances. What about the fact that Easterns can’t come in contact with NVGs as they are considered ‘sensitive items’ yet they are privy to our medical info, take control of our passports,civil ids?? Why isnt that job filled by Westerns only? Surely management has to know the Easterners are the ones selling alcohol and drugs to the Western CSA employees.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Only Americans or VETTED foreign national should have access to the sensitive information if American’s. Identity theft and targeted blackmail it not unheard of.
Also…we have screamed and hollered about the drugs, alcohol, prostitution, fraternization of CSA managers. Evidently CSA corporate doesn’t care. I believe this lack of caring is why CSA could very well be losing their contracts in Kuwait….JMHO!!
Hi there I am about to leave to go to Kuwait! Is the contract going to be extended. The recruiter has assured me that it has. Will they be around past march 31. If not how hard is it to get on with another company like KBR or whoever…furthermore if a new company comes in, will they keep us around? Cheers!
I got screwed out of thousands of dollars literally from CSA. I reccomend that you DONT GO! They told me that They will pay your way home if you decide to leave early. Amoung MANY other lies. DON’T TRUST THEM! Goodluck.
This would be a great comment on http://mssparky.com/2010/01/combat-support-associate-csa-employees-seek-class-action-in-kuwait/ as well.
People would like to know they are not the only ones.
For Class Action Suit information for CSA employees click HERE
http://mssparky.com/2010/01/combat-support-associate-csa-employees-seek-class-action-in-kuwait/
DON’T I REPEAT DON’T under any circumstance go to work for CSA. They forced me to work an average of 83 hours a week and paid me for 48. I was forced to work 112 hours straight one time with no time off to even eat.
When I quit after 6 months they made me pay my own way home and then they withheld a months pay to pay for my trip over and the cost of my visa.
All while the upper managers were getting $1M annual bonuses. These people have no ethics or morals.
The turnover rate for the company is 86%. Think about it.
This would be a great comment on http://mssparky.com/2010/01/combat-support-associate-csa-employees-seek-class-action-in-kuwait/
Some people just don’t understand that working people and not paying them is not OK.
The fact the DoD lets them get away with it is not OK either.
Up at 345am, not returning home until 9-1030pm 5-6 nights a week. Hand to God!
This is violation of Kuwait Labor Law and any other countries labor.
Ms. Sparky
Have you or anyone else considered contacting local Senators or Congressman? Believe me there are a lot of them out there that would be and are very interested in hearing about companies like these. Senators and Congress can be a lot more helpful then people think, especially when it comes to backing veterans and defenders of Home Land Security. Have some of the supporters and plantiffs start a petition to pass to all their State Senators. In the petition have them sign and put their state on it, send the petition out to every State’s Senator then send it to Congress and I’m willing to bet something will happen or atleast put them in the spot light.
I heard CSA is wanting the you to pay taxes for the housing they provide.
I figured I would put some info out for you guys to try and help out. Armour Group is hiring in Kabul for static positions. Contact BLudeke@wsihq.com in the subject line put ESF-Kabul Project. Xe is also hiring for WPPS along with instructors. NEK is also hiring for positions in Haiti. There are plenty of companies out there that are hiring its just getting through the red tape and finding out who’s hiring what. Everyone should go to BlackIce Security and sign up. You attach your resume, its free and they will send you email notifications everytime a company is looking to hire. Don’t just settle, set limits and go for it. You shouldn’t have to settle with companies like CSA. Good luck to you all.
Josh
I could not help but notice that you have listed Xe as one of the companies people should look into. Are you aware that Xe is the new corporate name for Blackwater? And we already know how they are.
I’m thinking of applying for a security position with CSA. Will I be making a mistake, given that I’m a foreign national?
Yes
All of the CSA security personnel are US Citizens.
NO they are not. There are several “Easterners” working there. Pretty good people. I believe many of them hail from India, or somewhere in that area.
Really – thanks for the information – I will have to check that out as the modification to the contract that transfered the Armed Security Services to CSA required that all of these personnel be US Citizens.
I am aware that there are a large number of Subcontracted Security personnel that are not US Citizens, specifically those that provide the guard services at the housing.
To clarify the question regarding a Foreign National applying for a Security Position with CSA – here are the requirements for the position from the CSA website – Security Recruiting.
Possess a valid U.S. Driver’s License. Be able to obtain a U.S. Tourist Passport. Pass a police background investigation. Be able to obtain secret security clearance.
To the best of my knowledge it is nearly impossible for a foreign national to obtain either a U.S. Passport or a U.S. Security Clearance.
The FPO positions are only open to US citizens; DoD SECRET clearance required. The TCN force are not required to have a security clearance and hired by a company which is contracted to CSA Ltd. These TCN (mostly Indian nationals) positions are not armed and work along side with US FPO. TCN live in Camps while US live in western style apartments. Former FPO Recruiter.
I participated in the first stages of the hiring process with CSA,sat through a bizarre telephone conference call(the info provided could have simply been emailed),recieved an offer and then was left a series of demeaning,hateful messages.
I passed on the Offer.
Some words of advice to CSA and any and all contracting companies:
Hire and promote someone other than all former military,they have a nasty tendency to bring all their buddies on board and will then behave exactly as any dogpack mentality would dictate(i.e. VERY BADLY)-can you not see the rotten fruit of your hiring practices?
Former cops make much,much better supervisors.They get to carry their weapons and bullets home at night like Big Boys and are trusted with vehicles-Think about it.
The people that you are mistreating are someone’s father,mother,brother,sister..not abstract numbers on paper,not indentured servants and not cattle.
Stop abusing people,stop browbeating,intimidating and harassing those who dont immediately snap-in with the goose step.Remember:you are EX military.
Barry and Sail,
Yes Xe was listed as 1 on the list but this will help Barry to understand also. The difference in what you call “ex” military better known as former military and police “peace” officers is that you have absolutely no real experience. Sure you take your pistols home big deal. What has driven Blackwater and may other Contractors away from contracting is police officers thinking that because they were on the force for 10-20 years now they are the best and can do anything a infantry man can do. I’m not trying to be hateful but that’s why a lot of contractors flip flop jobs is to stay away from you guys, if anything hit the fan you guys would have absolutely no clue as what to do and would get people killed. I have personally left companies to work for someone else cause of peace officers(swat members) demanding to be made supervisor or bringing in their buddies just to bring contracts down because they have no experience. Not to say you don’t have experience in stressful situations but its a little different pulling someone over that has a warrant or may have a gun from driving down the road being shot at, kicking open a door knowing someone is about to kill you on the other side. So please for everyones safety and your own stick with companies like CSA and stay out of the big boys way. If you wanna cry about unfair treatment during a hiring conference or procedures then give up now there slappy this isn’t for you.
Josh,
I had no Idea you had gone to the trouble to troll me back In February. I really dont have to ‘give up now’ on anything-I worked contracts for a few years, and decided to go back to a job where they dont collect my hardware and ammo at the end of every shift like a child and I get to spend time with my family.You seem to be really caught up in the ‘experience’ thing.Well,I’ll tell you this,I ‘experienced’ more than enough and I count myself fortunate to be back home and in one piece…
Have a good one and try to not be such a big mouthed meathead.
Sail,
Sorry that message wasn’t really a whole lot of help. Yes I knew Xe was formerly Blackwater but they have come a long way not to mention they are now allowed back in Iraq. It was a bad ordeal for team a long time ago but they have come a long way. You now have to have a minimum of 8 years infantry, Spec Ops or Special Force experience. Well go to this website, scroll to the bottom and it has every contract company out their. But be careful cause companies like Aegis is the 05-07 version of Blackwater. Go to http://www.pmcpsc.com/companies.htm
Scroll all the way down and you’ll see most of the companies, most of the links give you there contact info but don’t expect anything right away, its contract re-newal time. From 1st Feb – 1st of April hiring comes to almost a scretching hault. Armour Group is hiring but rumor is they are trying to prove themselves this year cause they are about to lose the contract.
Good luck.
Semper Fi
Thanks Josh.
My problem with Blackwater was honestly not so much what they were doing in the field (considering who their actual client is in a great number of instances). It is more with the way they did their staffing.
By having no actual employees and having all of their field personnel be “contract” – they were not providing benefits for these people – like not even any DBA – which as bad as it is is at least something. And we all know that there is not another insurance company that would touch an individual in that situation – so the person either had to get their own DBA which was not cheap – or go without.
Yep I remember how good they sounded in those first targeted emails way back in 03. When they were recruiting only former Spec Ops personnel. It just turned out that like a lot of companies they were not telling the WHOLE story.
I think the valid point that we are both trying to make is that a person needs to do their homework regarding a potential employer and not just be enticed by what looks good on the surface.
Sail,
Most of the companies are now doing the same thing, they will match a certain amount into your insurance or DBA along with offering 401k and other options. Still be careful right now though, Many companies are ont he verge of loosing contracts right now. Even Goliath companies such as Triple Canopy is making “DRASTIC” changes and revamps. I don’t know if you’ve been watching or hearing but alot of companines are cutting their pay, monthly incentives along with changing from 2 per living quater but now moving to as many as 6 per. As for insurance alot of the companies have moved to CIGNA international for medical and dental which your monthly out-of-pocket for your entire family is around $5,000 a year. Also check AFBA for life insurance, they don’t have a war on terrorism clause, no area or job restrictions, worldwide coverage and no physicals for the 1st 100k of coverage. Many companies have this coverage but aren’t going to tell you unless you ask, however many of them aren’t going to offer it unless you are on a WPPS or Training Project. Just check out that link and most of the contact info and websites are attached to the link. Good luck but as I said before there are going to be Drastic changes in all fields within the next 2 months so be careful.
Again here is the link for the major conglomerate’s
http://www.pmcpsc.com/companies.htm
Also depending on how long you’ve been doing this and your experience there are alot of companies here stateside that are looking for personal protection agents. its not all to bad. many range from $500-$1000 a day depending on the client, however moest of them are 1099 which isn’t bad becasue you have a ton of write off’s
Thanks Josh
I am actually not looking for a job. But this is good information for those that are.
I was curious to anyone who could point me in the right direction. I am currently thinking about going out there to work. Now is what the recruiters say a lie? Do you end up living in like a shanty town in kuwait? I was told you fala is paid on top of your salary. So whats the deal? I also heard that you dont get a car but you can lease one, how much is that anyways. I have some what mixed emotions. I could really use some help. I have been deployed to the worst places in Iraq, how much worse could this be if your getting paid way more, and not to mention your not in imminent danger i.e; getting shot at, and getting blown up by ieds. Just really looking for some good insight, I got kids to feed, so it aint just about me. Thanks
There are a lot of CSA readers here. Read their comments. They have been painfully honest. I would suggest you continue to aggressively seek employment with other contractors. With the ousting of 250 former Blackwater employees from various security contractors in Iraq, you should be bale to do better than CSA.
http://mssparky.com/2010/02/iraq-tells-former-blackwater-employees-you-have-seven-days/
As I have stated before – ABSOLUTELY the worst company I ever worked for. In fact when I left because they were working me 100 a week and only paying me for 48 – put my FALA in KNB alright but never gave the pin to get it out. Lived in a place that looked ok but the sewer backed up at least once a week. When I left after 6 months they made me pay for my own ticket home and then had the nerve to keep my last two paychecks to cover the processing of my visa. And they kept all of the money they had deposited for my FALA in KNB. Actually came back about $3,000 poorer after working there for 6 months than I was when I went over.
CSA has only been extended until June of 2010 – the new contract will be awarded by then – it will not be to CSA – simply because they did not bid the follow-on.
This company has a turnover rate in excess of 70% do you really think you want to work for them.
ok, I’m really getting stressed now…CSA Kuwait just emailed me from the travel dept. They want to send me plane tickets and fly me out on the 24th..trust me I dont know if I should go with all this negative stuff I’ve been reading, plus I have a friend out there and he said it’s worst then KBR…DamnI have a ooookkkk job making 50k+, but don’t see a future with this company, and I’ve only had it for 5 months nows. I want to go back overseas, but only for some real doe. I have a wife and kids, and 42k +13k for fala is not enuff. Then just the other day CH2M Hill called me about a position in Qatar…ok I completed a online reference survey and was told I didnt pass that part of the process…that’s crazy. How could this be? I worked for KBR,Csa Kuwait,and PAE is cufrrently processing my TSSC…Is CH2MHill to high and mighty to hire a mear tradesman…lol. Plus them SOB’s did’nt even get awarded the contract yet. If anyb ody have some feedback on this company please inform me..anyway I want to work with fluor, and recruiters have been calling me for the past 8 months…problem is those positions are all in country…with everyone not wanting to go to these warzones, I’m sure finding it hard to get back out there myself…i need feedback on this CSA thang asap
Here’s my advice. DON”T GO TO WORK FOR CSA. If you have a job that is paying the bills keep it and wait for something better. You’re not desperate. That’s just my opinion. Anyone else!
A warm body is usually all that the companies are worried about. Your wife and children need your warm body so if you can, stay stateside. I do not want your wife to end up like I did with little kids and a dead husband. Sorry… I am being brutally honest but I wish someone would have warned my husband.
You and your family have made the ultimate sacrifice in this fight against terrorism. I’m sorry for your loss.
Yeah your right! Hey anybody knows about ch2mhill? please give me some feedback, also I get job alerts from Fluor everyday, have a cousin at BAF working with them, spoke to his wife and she tells me that they re moving let snails with this transition…hopefully soon
CH2Mhill is one of the Dyncorp partners on LCIV. I believe that they are responsible for the financial tracking and construction portions but am not sure. Know people that have worked for them in the US and liked the company. But that is about all I can help with.
Having worked for CSA and living in Kuwait for over 7 years I would take the offer from CSA. AECOM (CSA parent company) is bidding on the new BOSS contract. I have been told they are out so whoever the new contractor is will pick you up; much more difficult to get a job after start up of a new contract than being on the ground. The new BOSS contract should be awarded June 2010. Most sensor managers will not be given a job by the new contractor so those oxygen thieves will get a ride home. You just have to suck it up until the new BOSS contractor starts up in June. Good Luck!
You make a valid point. If you can make it that long. And as we have all seen, there is no guaranteeing what the DoD will do with contract awards.
A coulple of things you really might want to consider before you accept this or any position with any company on the current CSSK contract.
1. The Statement of Work for the KBOSS is signifcantly smaller than on the current CSSK contract. It has in fact been turned into four different efforts. Two of which are LCIV Task Orders. (This is covered on FEDBIZOPPS.gov in the announcement for this effort).
This will mean a significant reduction in the number and types of personnel the new company will need. CAS currently states that they have 2500 Expats and 7500 TCN’s.
Despite what Fattest states – follow-on contractors do not necessarily pick up the employees from the previous contractor. Read all of the posts from KBR LCIII people who are in Theater and trying to get hired by the Fluor and Dyn.
I am not sure if Fattest has any other experience with start-up since he states he has been on this one contract for 7 years – I used to be on the Start up team of a major contractor. The number of expats we retained depended on a lot of things – such as whether the company had current employees who were coming off of other contracts that needed positions. We generally retained less than 10% of the incumbents expat personnel. The TCN/HCN’s are a different story.
2. As the follow-on is still in the proposal stage there is no way of knowing what the winner has proposed in the way of salary and benefits. These too may be significantly reduced.
3. Because CSA’s current contract expires 6/30/2010 they will not currently be able to obtain an actual Visa 18 work visa for you as they have to have a year left on the contract to do that. This also means that you will not be able to obtain a Kuwaiti Drivers license – without which you will be driving illegally in the country.
Before taking any position, anywhere, with any company. Make sure that you have done the research know the pro’s and con’s and then rationally (I know money is a great motivator) decide if it truely is the right choice for you.
Sail – When CSA assumed the contract from ITT in Dec 1999 they retained 79% of the incumbent workforce. Those that wanted a job received an offer (except those that were black listed). The new BOSS contract is different from the CSA contract of 1999 ad would expect reduction in force. Unless the Army consolidates camps I would expect the security staffing to remain the same; not sure on the other areas of the contract.
I can only base this on my experience. 11 years as a Security and Law Enforcement Contractor for US Army Overseas (7 yrs in Kuwait for 3 contractors). During which time responded to SLEC RFPs, CDRLs and SOWs and part of 3 solicitation and start-up teams. Part of the ITT SLEC implementation team; was present and stayed on when CSA started contract and took over from ITT. I agree you must evaluate the employment offer against your financial goals before taking an overseas position. My point is that incumbents have an advantage for continued employment vice the contractor seeking a new body from the US. Just my 2 fils from a former SLEC Manager and Recruiter.