I may have the chance, once my training here in Georgia is completed, to get a contractor job "downrange" (i.e. Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, etc) for a tidy sum (think 100K+, tax free).

Would you do it? Why or why not?

That's a tough one to answer. I've known several guys who went and it was a tough year. On the other hand, they set themselves up financially and they got some experience that is highly valued.

Make absolutely sure that your wife is on board since this is a high risk thing to do.

That's a hard one! I know when the first Gulf War was over and jobs were advertised for construction wokers needed to help with the rebuilding in that area I was all set to go. I saw the money, I think it was somewhere around 80 or 90K tax free then, my wife ( fiancee at the time ) told me no way would she wait. I saw the dollars, she saw a year alone. After some long talks I passed on it. I know thats different then the "contractors job" your talking about but it seems from your post the issues might be the same, a good chunk of tax free money is the inticement. Talk to your wife and kids? see what they think, make sure their all OK with it too.

thanks guys. My wife is Ok with it, so long as I promise not to get killed.

Too bad I'm not combat arms trained - they are getting upwards of 200K right now.

Of course I'd need to consider that I could get deployed there within a year anyway. Plus I have a warrant officer packet in... I guess things are in a state of flux right now, and I just needed some other opinions.