Migration Pattern Map

[FrannyBear]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I hope that is coming to an end and the government does layoffs and saves our money.

I could not agree MORE!

[FrannyBear]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Except many are getting pretty generous benefits from their employers in addition to higher wages. Seriously, compare the compensation (including wages and benefits) for people in the military versus contractors doing the same functions. It isn't remotely close. That is true in many other cases as well.

Many contractors are "independent contractors" and receive no benefits at all -- pension or health or vacation. More contractors are moving in that direction as it is the BENEFITS that cost so much.

[Copanut]

Having worked at US Steel (remember them) and having everything taken care of cradle to grave, I'm glad I left. I take care of my own retirement and healthcare, something that most in this country will have to do.

The free ride is over.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Except many are getting pretty generous benefits from their employers in addition to higher wages. Seriously, compare the compensation (including wages and benefits) for people in the military versus contractors doing the same functions. It isn't remotely close. That is true in many other cases as well.

It's like you make stuff up! You have no idea. LOL

I have friends who have been in the military or have husbands who were in the military. The compensation is fantastic. Their copay is almost nothing---they pay a couple hunded per year, not month, for the family plan. They receive pension payments IN THEIR 30s! Try telling me that's cheap benefits---paying retired soldiers pensions starting in their 30s with health insurance premium payments practically at zero.

Companies like former Blackwater aren't providing benefits to their soldiers. None. Zero. Zip. Most soldiers are contract employees. The pay is around 130k at $500 per day. (Even though they are paid for 7 days per week, their leave is unpaid. Leave is usually 30 days after every 90 days. That means they only get to work 270 days per year, which comes to 135k.) Being a contract employee means paying self employment tax rates and then having to fully self fund health insurance and retirement with what's left.

They're not making more money than US military personnel who have years of service. And the soldiers who work for private contractors are experienced soldiers not the low paid US soldiers who have just a few years of service.

You're kidding yourself if you even remotely think that soldiers working as private contractors have a better financial gig. What they get out of working as independent contractors is the opportunity to do insanely dangerous missions---because they love it.

Originally Posted by FrannyBear

Many contractors are "independent contractors" and receive no benefits at all -- pension or health or vacation. More contractors are moving in that direction as it is the BENEFITS that cost so much.

That's right! Check out this clip from the recruitment webpage of the company that was formerly called Blackwater:

Pay/Leave/Vetting
The pay for this position is between $450 as an Independent Contractor (IC) with potential pay raises. Health insurance is not provided. IC's are covered for injury by the Defense Base Act. Leave rotations are 90 days on / 30 days off. You can expect to dedicate 2.5 weeks to the training and vetting course. The course includes advanced shooting qualifications, PT test, and vairous other tasks.

COBRA Static Security

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by tallydude02

Alot of young people from this part of the country move to the DC area because it's the closest big city with many jobs available.

I considered at one time but the cheapest place I could afford was in either in Hagerstown, MD or Martinsburg, WV...quite a trek.

Some of people I knew that moved there didn't care for it (especially one the ones from WV...they were made of fun of alot) and move back within a couple of years.

The above has been true for decades! My BFF moved there about 40 years ago; one of her cousins from the Pgh area was already there. Her sister went down there a few years later. All are still there.

Originally Posted by FrannyBear

Many contractors are "independent contractors" and receive no benefits at all -- pension or health or vacation. More contractors are moving in that direction as it is the BENEFITS that cost so much.

OTOH, a lot of them are large companies that offer great bennies. My BFF above worked for a lot of govt. contractors; her DH used to work for the govt., retired and is now doing the same work for a contrator, with excellent bennies.

[BrianTH]

I actually wasn't specifically referring to Blackwater/Xe. The really big military contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan have been going to companies like KBR (formerly of Halliburton), DynCorp International, and L-3 Communications, and in general the biggest military contracts are still going to the old favorites like Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, and so on. All of these companies provide their employees with benefits.

[buzzpost]

Originally Posted by Katiana

The above has been true for decades! My BFF moved there about 40 years ago; one of her cousins from the Pgh area was already there. Her sister went down there a few years later. All are still there.



OTOH, a lot of them are large companies that offer great bennies. My BFF above worked for a lot of govt. contractors; her DH used to work for the govt., retired and is now doing the same work for a contrator, with excellent bennies.

Most Defense Contractors provide EXCELLENT benefits. I work for one of them that does, which will remain unnamed.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by buzzpost

Most Defense Contractors provide EXCELLENT benefits. I work for one of them that does, which will remain unnamed.

I think the problem was that people were focusing specifically on the companies supplying combat/security personnel. As always when it comes to modern military spending, the guys with the guns in their hands are actually only a small fraction of what is going on.