Explorer: Guns for Hire
 

Anybody watch the special on the Explorer channel called "Guns for Hire"? A great show that followed a few security service companies from England through a typical day i.e. Running a convoy through Baghdad, VIP protection...etc. Guys make about 600 clams a day, but may or may not be around to spend it.

I wanted to watch but I was working in the garage and forgot it was on. Did they only profile the British? It's interesting to see how the British, American and Israeli mercs all accomplish the same job very differently. I've done some work with the guys from Blackwater. They're mostly ex-Special Forces, Marine Recon, Seals, etc. Real badasses. They're making mega-cheese, doing mainly VIP protection, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We got an offer last year to go over. They are paying $160,000.00 a year to go to Iraq or $120,000.00 for Afghanistan. It's tax free, plus all living expenses are paid. It is a two-year commitment. So, if we made it back, $320,000.00 would be waiting. Not bad money for training Iraqi Special Services Forces, and no real combat. Mrs. Grizzly said no go. :(

Gee, I wonder why Mrs Grizz said no? My counterparts are flying the exact same recon missions in South America and CENTCOM and making serious bank doing it. My other half said hell no also, but damn...that is a lot duckets to spend on the new Turbo!

They only profiled the Brits as far as I could tell. I don't think they named Blackwater directly, but they did profile Hart which is out of England I think. Anyway, awesome show.

10 years ago I would have signed up immediately - no question.

Sometimes I miss getting to shoot stuff, but I have gotten fat, domesticated and happy in my 30's.

In the immortal words of Han Solo, "What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it?"

Watch out for the Daisies!
 

Cuban exiles for many years worked for the CIA as contractors. Some got involved in the 1960 Congo revolution flying the B-26 against Patrice Lumumba. As well as other activities in Cuba, Central and South America. If I am not mistaking one of the guys that took out Che was a Cuban exile working with the Bolivian army.
I don't know if I could be a merc but I would not mind teaching the Iraqi's about big fat Daisies falling from the sky and go boom. That could be a nice hobby to have. Sending lots of bad guys to vestal virgins in the sky.

Five Blackwater operatives were killed yesterday after their helos were shot down over Baghdad. Four were shot in the back of the head after their bird went down. The gunner in the other bird was hit and killed by gunfire. Blackwater has lost 27 operatives since the beginning of their involvement in Iraq.

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118096&ran=121560

Interesting article on how to potentially make money from the mercenary army trend withough getting shot at...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/InvestInTheNewMercenaryArmy.aspx

This is a good article. I own ManTech and King Hal for the reasons stated and Level-3 as a speculative play for other reasons...but getting shot at is half the fun. Being shot is no fun at all. Being shot at is a rush.