What a mess this whole LOGCAP contract has been. LOGCAP III has been plagued with fraud and corruption, electrocution deaths, toxin exposures, over charging, indictments, rapes, convictions, Congressional hearings, law changes, contractor deaths and countless law suits against KBR……the list is endless!!
I think most of us were relieved when LOGCAP IV in Kuwait and Afghanistan was awarded to Fluor and Dyncorp. Personally I was anxious to get this whole KBR disaster put in the past but that doesn’t seem to be happening.
I’m asking those of you in the field with Dyncorp, Fluor and KBR in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq to let us know what is going on.
What do you think is the hold up with the transition? You guys are the ones who really know what’s going on….share it with us.
If you make a comment about a specific company please be sure to post the company name, country and camp if you can.
There are a lot of people out there looking for answers.
As of the publishing of this post….I don’t think any major LOCAP IV Task Orders have been awarded in Iraq. If I’m wrong let me know.
I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Ms Sparky
I have heard that Dec 23 09 is the date that KBR will turn over it operations to the new service providers. And, the client will take over KBR’s LSA in BAF, hope the new Fluor employees will enjoy wintering over in their new tents.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
It’s absolutely ludicrous that we have been in A-Stan for 7 years and people are still living in tents!! BAF-Bagram Airfield, Bagram, Afghanistan for those who aren’t familiar.
Thanks
LOL, Sparky the reason they did not upgrade is because they wanted to save money and the military was not footing the bill. I cannot believe your source of information has dried up. This the low down, the government has finally figured out that getting rid of KBR is not as easy as they thought nor did they not think that Fluor and Dyncorp would tank either well not as bad with Fluor but Dyncorp flopped completely. Now they are about to award Iraq and the goverment is having kittens how do we turn over this monster to Dyncorp and Fluor without having one or the other failing. That is the deal, both fluor and dyncorp are in theater trying to figure out how they will do this contract and the same time kick KBR to the curb. Here is the kicker, Dyncorp has to keep some KBR folks to get there piece of the pie but alas Fluor has some big dogs from KBR and they will take it all of the contract because dyncorp will low ball folks and they will tell them to get bent and can’t stand up bang fluor has it all plus KBR get the subcontract to do Dyncorp part they could not keep. There it is all in a nutshell Sparky.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Welcome back Ksniper!! My sources have really dried up, I am looking for a new perspective…fresh eyes! But as always….your perspective is enlightening!!
I arrived at KAF on October 12, 2009 for DynCorp. On December 1, 2009 I had enough and quit. I was an Electrical Supervisor for DynCorp. I have not worked for KBR or Fluor but heard (and read) many things about them. Numerous ex KBR people are working for DynCorp at KAF. It appears that the ‘Leesville mafia’ is alive and well and running things for DynCorp in Southern Afghanistan. I did not realize who they were or what I was going up against but soon enough I got the message. My job was to unravel the electrical issues in Afghanistan (grounding, British standard vs. NEC, etc. While I met many good people who really want to do what is best for the Military the ‘flagpole’ has other ideas. It seems that DynCorp will be the same as KBR in LOGCAP IV. Major differences are DynCorp’s lower pay and much higher number of TCN’s to Ex-Pat’s. DynCorp is all about ‘boots on the ground’ because this is what get’s them paid. The problem is that many Ex-Pat’s & their TCN’s arrive at FOB’s without any material or tools. These items won’t arrive for months. Many times we would arrive and the FOB mayors (and existing KBR hands) didn’t even know we were coming. Complete lack of planning for billeting, food, etc. is the norm with DynCorp. DynCorp also has a severe problem with paying people. As of December 1, 2009 (the day I left for home) many Ex-Pats still were waiting for back pay. DynCorp had just ’solved’ the issue of the TCN’s never being paid. They paid them all in cash at RSOI. DynCorp already had been made aware of the ‘gang’ problem in the TCN camp and adding thousands of dollars in cash didn’t help the situation.
I am more than a bit pissed about the entire situation over there. Being an Electrical Supervisor for them I was very aware of the many electricians that had been quitting and going home. DynCorp now accepts just about anything that resembles a state electrical license and these ‘electricians’ are being sent to remote FOB’s as the only Ex-Pat. The rest of the crew is TCN’s. The worst part of this standard DynCorp ‘plan’ is that they will never send a Site Manager because they expect the single Ex-Pat to run the show. You receive Electrical Journeyman wages but you are really the Site Manager. No V-Sat or satellite phone either, just a B-Gan and most of these lock up within a few days. The Roshan cell phones don’t work out there so you have no way of communicating either.
The situation is already one of mass confusion and I don’t foresee it getting any better.
I left behind some good people and I worry about them. DynCorp doesn’t want people that care about other people. This is made clear early on and if you don’t ‘get on board’ with that agenda you find yourself demoted and shipped to some remote place on the Pakistan border.
I’ll talk more after I get past the jet lag.
BTW, if you leave early you pay your own way home and DynCorp is also threatening to pull the cost of the plane ticket that brought you there out of your final check. I don’t think even KBR did that.
Local 595
A new arrival in Northern Iraq, guess I got on the gravy train a little late in the game…they are telling us here that we have until about Mar’10 (unless the elections go terribly wrong). Not much confidence in getting an EFT to Afghanistan…dropping my resume for the “other” contractors as I blog here.
Hopefully they are keeping the higher paid ExPats a little longer…My base is higher than most of my comrades…
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for this info.
The rumors abound kiddo – as you so well know. Word on the street is JBB is transitioning to Fluor – that comes from a JBB KBR employee….TQ is shutting it’s gates…to have only 2000 military there by December. Will get you on your personal email – have more burn pit pics for you – recent ones too
You know as well as I do, that anyone who says they absolutely positively ‘know’ what is going on – well you know they treat us there. But I will certainly keep you up to date when I know from my side.
sparki
Al Hilla (USMI)in Iraq is supposed to be closed down and everyone out by December 15th.
I work in Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan. Afghanistan is being built up fast. Camp Bastion has doubled and then re-doubled in size. Camp leatherneck is in the process of tripling in size.
But we have learned from the mistakes [called criminal negligence or negligent homicide] made by some company in Iraq and are determined to do things right and TO CODE here from the start.
Terminating some company’s Logcap4 contract due to incompetence has made those of us working here want to do better. And yes, things can be done safely, to code, quickly, and profitably!
I was called back from a FOB to be interview by Fluor on my time of course. I will have my verbal offer tomorrow.
Our DCMA said the transition for the 1st AOR (Area of Responsibility) is either DEC 17,19 or 26. The govt. keeps delaying it. He said Dyncorp is failing. Why? They cannot keep people. He also brought up that woman who was removed. He said it was a good thing.
We were told to reapply via Fluor website. Update the resumes. No time limit in job for applying to new position. There is a thing about a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40% for body fat. If over you cannot work.
The reason people are in tents is the govt. has not given ok for real estate for Bhuts. BAF is 4000 beds short just for military as it is growing. That is BAF what about the other major hubs here? We are growing at Shank and they are buying more land here to expand.
I have a friend and he is not happy with Dyncorp but that is all he said. He is down south.
The reason the offers are verbal I was told is that one must be in country and on site on the day the transition starts. If not it is up to KBR what they will do. A firm offer gives one a job whereas a verbal has contingencies.
Because of so many people transitioning one can take a R&R at 70 days versus the 91 days we were told.
The DCMA was asked how FAR (Fly American Act) works here. As long as they do not buy the tickets, nor ask for itineraries, nor receipts we can fly on any airline with no problems. That is a big plus.
hi guys i am an electrician in the uk, i must admit work in the uk is very slow right now but i have done well to stay in work this far! i have been out of work 3 days now and i am desperate to get straight back in again. however in th run up to xmas it is pretty much impossible to find any work here so i am looking in to iraq and afghan any suggestions or pointers for how to get out there?
the date has been pushed back to Jan 9th
cheers, who is that with kbr?
well just to let you guys know Fluor transitioned their first site FOB Bostik
2 days ago things are going on schedule
this process is going to take a while.
by the way Fluor picking a bunch of work up in Iraq.
when will fluor start hiring mail clerks/postal clerks.. i think mail is one of the most important things over there ya know
i am referring to TO 5 afghanistan North
thanks fluor foreman, where would be the best place to get my cv into? i have been checking fluors website but theres nothin on there for an electrician at the minute. i am really keen to find something out there.
mewzy@hotmail.com
Ms Sparky-Here is what’s going on in Iraq with LOGCAP IV.
Task Order 7 is CTP. I don’t now what the “C” stands for be it’s for Ice, Transporation & Postal. From what I can tell it is very similar to the $900M LOGCAP III Theater Transportation Mission (TTM) Task Order 43.
This Task Order has been put out for proposals to KBR, Fluor & Dyncorp. No decision has been made as of yet.
As far as the Basic Life Support (BLS) Task Orders, these are the ones that affect the majority of civilian contractors in Iraq, The DoD has divided Iraq up into two Task Orders and those haven’t even been put out for proposals yet.
Then take a look at Afghanistan. Look how long it has taken to transition to LOGCAP IV.
If you were a new hire for KBR today, I’ll bet you will be able to complete your contract for KBR in Iraq and the transition to LOGCAP IV for BLS will not even have begun!
CTP is CLSS, TTM, and Postal. Also includes ice.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks. I hope that’s potable ice. There was an ice house in the Green Zone where we used to go to get ice to cool water bottles. We used these roll around plastic garbage cans filled with this nasty, muddy, contaminated ice. They used Baghdad City water or Tigris River water…same thing. It was nasty and it stunk in the summer. It’s amazing more people didn’t get seriously sick from that.
Fluor Foreman – Concerning Hiring by Fluor
What is the position of Fluor concerning people who have formerly worked for KBR as far as hiring?? I know that lots of people who are actually in country are being offered jobs but what about those who are now state side?? What about the piles of people who KBR chose to terminate because of nit-picky crap??? Everyone knows that it happened earlier in the year when they thought they would only be there a short time longer. Will they be eiligible for hire by Fluor or has KBR actually put a stamp on their foreheads that forever keep them out of the LOGCAP Project??? These are things that people want to know. Can you shed any light on this situation for us??
Ms Sparky’s Response:
That is a valid concern and I get emails about that all the time. I posted about KBR branding people not eligible for rehire at http://mssparky.com/2009/06/not-eligible-for-rehire/
What I have seen so far is that is doesn’t hold for KBR managers being hired by Fluor.
I sure could use some Fluor and Dyncorp insight here. If KBR has deemed you “Not Eligible For Rehire” for something stupid like….oh, I don’t know….reporting KBR criminal activity, does that make you ineligible for rehire with Fluor or Dyncorp?
no it does not mean you cannot be rehired, i was terminated for taking pictures holding a military weapon when i firts got overseas and was terminated 14 months later but after my 120days off i called drp and they said i was not flagged for do not rehire so i began reapplying for jobs with kbr and still waiting but gettin very impatient. wish i new when they would be hiring and calling again. i guess it also depend on the violation because someone was flagged for do not rehire
hey.. email me.. pjfromva@aol.com were u a mail clerk for kbr?
well if you currently with KBR and at FOB now you have nothing to worry about Fluor is retaining 85% personnel on FOB’s
Fluor Foreman,
We all realize that worker currently with KBR will have a chance to stay with Fluor but what of the ones that are not working for KBR anymore? Will their rehire status with KBR determine whether they will be hired by Fluor???
it all depends on what infractions they were let go is what they look at, If you leave by your choice you should not have anything to worry about then.
as long as you are not black listed or a total jack a$$ you should be able to switch over
we are retaining 95% of the work force for KBR
Ms Sparky’s Response:
The problem is with people who were RIF’d or terminated and are claiming they have been classified as not eligible for rehire by KBR. Some of the infractions were ridiculous or just completely untrue. And because of that Fluor and Dyncorp won’t consider them. Can you get me an email address of an HR manager who I can ask about this issue. This complaint is getting more and more prevalent.
Who would like to rehire people who got caught, drunk,drug abused or who are having sex on their shift time? People who are cheating on time sheets or harassing coworkers?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I agree those people should not be rehired. But the problem is, they are being rehired by Fluor because the majority of those people were high enough on the food chain to keep from being fired. They were allowed to dmob or transfer. Just take a look at the managers Fluor has picked up. And one of their most recent aqcuisitions, RB….OMG. Apparently the vast majority of people being labeled as “not available for rehire” do not even fall into those categories. The majority are dissenters. Those who reported criminal activity, poor quality work were labeled not team players. MANY had no idea they were even terminated. They thought they had Dmob’d.
KBR does have the option and I think it’s two weeks after you demob to change your status to to termination.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Under what circumstances would one want to change their status from demob to termination? Seriously. I would like to know.
amnra said,on November 15th, 2009 at 7:40 am Who would like to rehire people who got caught, drunk,drug abused or who are having sex on their shift time? People who are cheating on time sheets or harassing coworkers?
I am sure that lots of people were let go for these reasons but there are lots of folks trying to get back into LOGCAP that were let go by KBR that do not fall into this class.
The class they fall into is KBR politics. Now they are once again being screwed over by KBR. I have sent emails to everyone and anyone I can find in KBR management concerning my husband’s not for rehire status. The only thing we have heard is that the allegations will be looked into. BS!!!! Nobody gives a crap about people like us. LOGCAP workers are a dime a dozen and they will just continue to look over any and everyone that KBR ever let go. It does not matter if termination was for just reason or just a pack of lies. If KBR said it I am sure that other companies will take it as the truth. When will everyone out there wake up and smell the roses???? KBR’s word should not be worth much to anyone. Especially another company taking over LOGCAP contracts. Look at why they don’t have the amount of contract that they once did!!! Wonder why??? I hope that someone in management at Fluor and Dyncorp reads these forums from time to time and then asks some questions before people are passed over on KBR’s word.
FYI Sparky, Fluor has recently posted nearly 350 jobs for Afgan…word is they will pick up some KBR folks but will use TCN’s for many, Turks maybe? Pay and package not so good, and several Fluor regulars have quit over it. Beware !!
well took over 2 more sites. we are ahead at BAf
if you are at BAF you should be getting contacted by Fluor HR shortly
Do we know yet when Iraq will be awarded and if the workers that are there will be contacted by Fluor HR. if so do you know when this should happed.
when and where will you be hiring drivers overseas, i”m in the states and i drove for kbr back in 2003. also are you doing anything in canada?, thanks
Hello, Does anyone know when and what sites ITT will take over for KBR?
Ms Sparky’s Response:
All you Fluor people correct me if I’m wrong. Right now it’s Fluor/ITT in northern Afghanistan. Nothing has been awarded in Iraq yet.
does any have any information concerning Dyncorp inprocessing new hires via Kuwait??
Also does anyone have any information on a comapny cold Midwest ATC/RMS?
Dyncorp is behind here in the Southern Fobs right now. Still looking at what they want to offer other than a more than lousy vacation package.
Fluor is also out of their element. They think they’re constructing a project somewhere in TX. Their leadership doesn’t treat the area as being a warzone. A month ago, there were Fluor workers (OCN’s) using rocks for hammers. Fluor does not take care of their people when it comes to living conditions. Their leadership is sadly mistaken if KBR is just going to turn over their buildings to Fluor.
i applied at fluor.. kbr.. dyncorp… itt.. csakuwait.. etc.. failed the (WABI) test like an idiot for KBR after waiting 7 months to get a call.. how likely is it for me to get a call from any other company?
Failed the WABI? Maybe you aren’t suited to go over. If you are contacted by another company I wouldn’t offer that information unless they ask. Then I recommend you be honest.
yes ITT and Fluor are up North, we are still awaiting to hear on Iraq.
as for switching sites we are switching sites over to Fluor a couple every week
as for being out of their element do not think so, they do not control living conditions.
this is start up so it sucks right now.
i on the other hand have some options if push came to shove i can go home and not deal with the BS
No day off,( no holiday ), no sick day, no safety, no personal day….
If you get sick, perchance, you don’t have to see the medic, you need not any approval for that.
You R&R will be shorter depending of how many days you have been sick. Witch means, R&R deduction will be provided if you were sick.
Interesting!!!
I agree Sparky about the people who did not deserve to be terminated. When building a base way outside my job description my team made a lot of extra efforts to get the MILCON done on time, when one phase of the project was complete, water storage for the camp had doubled but the new tanks weren’t filled yet. Program Management tore into me in a meeting because their spreadsheet was designed to turn red when storage was less than 50% capacity. When I explained the math and that there was more water than ever, he didn’t even apologize for the outburst. When we completed the project according to the schedule I’d supplied 6 months in advance I was soon after let go on bogus reasons without ever being written up in over 2 years. HR manager couldn’t even look me in the eye but had to follow PM’s orders. The two people offered my position both declined and demobed when I was let go. Even though they Demobed the PM blacklisted them. It was political and although I had been cited for “horsplay” during a picnic, I was terminated when a safety officer a week earlier had been given 3 days off. The PM had entirely too much power and felt and showed he was untouchable. Camp managers are often used as the fall guy for the PM’s and it’s a good old boy system used in KBR that has restricted BMP’s (Best management Practices” from improving.
typical KBR BS
well if Fluor calls do not pass it up then
does fluor or any other companies require testing before you go..Its not that im not suited to go over.. i didnt take the wabi test right.. i was told to be honest and consistent.. if i would have known better i would have been untruthful..
as for wabi no we do not take it. the difference is in medical processing be prepared to spend
3000, 5,000 min and medical is different.
it is not like KBR medical processing totaly different.
you go to DR care and Dr Haris for dental and that is it
ok thanks.. but are they hiring now or just gathering a pool of candidates for later hire?
yes just there is a problem in rock island getting CAC cards and not enough beds over here right now
you should be hearing from them shortly
I have applied to all of the companys for Iraq or afghanistan and haven’t got an email or call. I have 20 years exprience as a wheel mechanic with a degree. Maybe resume?? I don’t know can someone help.
hello,
i am home justt did medical and dental for Flour, they contract with a provider and i go to local Dr and dentist. Now i am doing the SF85 application, before going to Greenville must have it completed and approved. So far i have three friends that took jobs from Iraq KBR to Fluor Afghanistan..I am intrested to see who wins the TTM JMMT and CLSS contracts in Iraq, should of been announced by now, or soon. I left KBR after almost 4 yrs no grudge, justt time to make a move to the new contractor in town, and with the ever feared “downsize” and the way KBR does that i made the decision to join Fluor. It good, im hone and soon to be back in A stan slumming…
The LOGCAP IV task order you are referring to is now called CTP:
Corps Logistics Support
Transportation Support
Postal Support
I heard bid proposals have been submitted but I haven’t heard who it has been awarded to, if anyone yet. I suspect Dyncorp bid it with Agility as a team. With Agility suspended from any future contracts after the recent indictments, that should knock Dyncorp out of the competition. I think the DoD has had their belly full of KBR so that leaves Fluor. My money is on Fluor.
As soon as it is awarded I will surely post the news! That will be the first LOGCAP IV task order awarded for Iraq.
so is fluor actually hiring now or are they building a pool of candidates to call them later?
Yes they are actually putting people on the ground. But it’s slow going. Housing is an issue during the transition. Unless you want to sleep under a vehicle. Get your resume out there and apply to EVERYONE.
Hey Fluor Foreman…
Glad to know what the hold up is with Fluor… are they not hiring females due to the lack of housing? I’ve applied and applied. I actually got useful numbers, called recruiters but NOTHING. Of course they don’t p/u the phone. With KBR, they will they’ve told me I can get Houston-bound on my 120th day from leaving.
housing simply sucks right now at
we just got RLB’s new trailers on site
so they still have to be set up.
as for BAF or Bagram we are still months away
Good luck they won’t call I am still waiting for my call as a matter of fact they still have some of my stuff still at anaconda no response paper work has been submitted to get it released
all hands
good luck on getting CAC card I think rock island is still down Fluor is bypassing by bringing in Bosnians. they are coming they ay are here
I heard they were going to be in Kosovo in Jan 10 to hire folks for Afghanistan. So until Fluor can get there act together alot of folks will be still waiting and probably without a job. If you are not on ground already it is going to be awhile. Troops will get the housing first they are already surging so who will be without of course the contractor. Flour foreman i thought you were already over there?
yes rock island is taking to long so they are bypassing GV
surge is underway
yes i am all ready here at Bagram
i am moving into a new role do not know what it is at the moment
I have been blind in one eye for about 25 years. I have worked as a mechanic for over 20 years and have no problems. I some times forget that I am blind in it. Would this loss of vision in one eye stop me from going to Iraq?
I don’t know the answer to that. I would apply and ask the recruiter who contacts you. Be straight up about it from the beginning.
my comment is to just be patient.. i applied for KBR back in february.. had about 20 recruiters numbers but didnt get called til september.. i was told that they had over a half million resumes.. just think.. about 2-3 years ago no one would ever think of going overseas especially a war zone to work.. now everyone and their mom wants to go so im sure that 500,000 resumes has increased. just apply for the jobs that you think you can do and sit on ur hands.. “You cant make anyone hire you..” lol.. as i was told by 1 KBR recruiter.. good luck to everyone!!!
another thing.. passport.. passport.. passport.. please have one!!!!!
I know from talking to 1 recruiter w/KBR he said try to get someone to REQ you. That they try to place you in the same position when you left, or at least the same pay grade. From a reliable source I heard some stuff is coming up… SERIOUS stuff on employee cuts, we’re talking thousands w/in 2 months. Yeah, its another PAR, but its not like what they had in the past.
So I think I’ll be in the States for awhile…. *I’ve figured that out a long time ago*
I wouldnt buy into all that he said she said stuff.. alot of people get on here and post gripes and complaints ad talk cutbacks but the bottom line is no job anywhere is gonna pay u $7,500.00 a month without a serious college degree.. Just get on with a respective company and that will open other doors with alot of other companies.. this war is gonna go on for a minute and even if it ends tonight it’ll take a couple years to get everyone and everything back here.. so keep pluggin away and dont listen to all this BS.
thanks PJ, i totally agree, my experience changed my life totally, i enjoyed my job so much and i have no complaints, just waiting to return to the postal mission or anything rite now, do you know of a recruiter for flour or dyncorp that i can contact
hey email me.. pjfromva@aol.com