The recent killing of Iraqi civilians by members of Blackwater USA has given rise to interest in this group. Especially interest in employment with them (searches for "blackwater usa" and "blackwater jobs" increased). Considering that they are paying $500 or more a day I can understand the level of curiosity.
Aside from the extreme danger of the job there is another slightly important piece of information to consider. The job offers no health, disability or life insurance
according to the recent Harper's magazine article entitled "Contract With America: Hard terms for the soldier of fortune" by Daphne Eviatar.
It goes without saying that if someone is pursuing a job as a soldier with Blackwater they're not only putting their life at danger but the future of their family. If they're injured or killed there will be no money coming to them or their family. However, if a new hire does survive they will make a significant amount of money.
When I served with the Marines in Kosovo, there were American private law enforcement personnel employed there making $120-150K per year (tax free), but they also told me they had excellent benefits for their families back home. I do not recall who their employer was.
Not to provide health/disability/life insurance for Blackwater employees, in the Iraq/Afghan environment, is simply unconscionable. However, I would bet that the company is banking on the idea that people who are willing to sign on for lucrative work as a "Soldier of Fortune" will either a) not give a rip about insurance one way or the other, or 2) be desperate/crazy enough to take their chances. Apparently, they are correct. Sadly. I wonder what paltry percentage of Blackwater workers put some of their wages toward their own insurance?
Jerry
www.leads4insurance.com
Posted by: Jerry | October 3, 2007 8:53 PM | Permalink to Comment