Pros and Cons of Security Contracting 

Some say he’s still putting wood on the fire to this day

pro : Good money, suits, Guns Con: Gets killed by the protagonist

Just felt like I came across a wise time traveler in Red Dead Redemption 2

Just got out of the Marines, too. Going through divorce, questionable spending habits. This sounds perfect for me

Pro: *$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$* Con: It wont buy you air support.

Came here to learn how to keep a fire going. Was not dissapointed.

Pros: make decent money Cons: slow decent into bankruptcy, alcoholism and cool M4 selfies

The job sounds a lot like a girl, working as stripper: 1) Money is good 2) can’t do it for long 3) hours are horrible 4) not good for relationships 5) constant need to justify the work 6) you need a good exit strategy because you don’t want to be that old lady scrounging around for dollar bills...

Can someone direct me to the Trader Joe's that's paying $30 an hour?

Pro: Lots of good food. Con: No Lamb Sauce.

Pros: Everything is rad Cons: Everything isn't so rad when being shot at

Worked from ‘09-‘13. Every purchase was measured in “this many work days to pay for it”. Left home 3 days after our first baby girl was born and came home 3 days before her 3rd month birthday in 2013. Wife said us or contracts and I picked us. You hit the nail on the head with that part. We had the perfect marriage that survived that but not breast cancer. She passed a little over a month ago but praise God for two beautiful daughters from our time on earth. She enjoyed your vids! Keep rocking on man!

Don't know how you ended up in my recc's but damn am I glad for it, that was interesting

Sounds like that guy really lost his head. But at least he died doing what he loved

I have seen contracts as low as 100 bucks a day. at that point id just enlist again

Pro: Money! Con: Death.

I love your style of video mate, you splitting branches and throwing them into a fire with running water behind you and snow everywhere is extremely calming and chill.

I was one of the lucky ones. I was married when I joined and made it through my 23 year career with my marriage in tact. When I retired I told my wife that I was thinking about contracting and mentioned how good the money would be to my wife. She said, “good, it will help you pay the divorce attorney” That was the last time I mentioned it.

"I'm not saying It's the reason for my divorce, but it absolutely contributed to my divorce" -every divorced bro ever 😂

Cons --- 2 marriages not seeing my children income gained then lost because of the above. Pros --- Money weapons

Not a bad gig, beats working at a party store in Detroit getting shot at almost every week for minimum wage.

He looks like a Division 2 character.

I can just imagine you giving this talk to your kid and then you'll be like "College? Not so much."

🤣🤣🤣all of a sudden it got real she was in Afghanistan

Watching this is like watching Mr. Rogers if he was a survivalist: sitting by a fire next to an ice covered, gently flowing river. Tossing sticks into the fire occasionally whilst giving heartfelt advice about contracting.

Mercenary = Fights in a War. vs. Security Contractor = Protects People/Assets in Dangerous Places Not the same thing... If you want the Definition, read the Laws of War: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary See the Follow Up Video on Getting Into Security Contracting here: kitbadger.com/security-contracting-what-it-is-and-how-to-get-started/

Cons: possibility of being strung up from a bridge

I really enjoyed my time as a Contractor. I spent just under 25yrs. I made anywhere from a shitty $200 A day in the beginning (Late 80s) to as much as $2500 a day on a really sketchy Contract for a outta country 8 days. I was more concerned about making it home than any one of my 8 deployments as a RANGER. Once my daughter was born it was time to start getting off the titty! I don't regret doing almost everything I went through on the job!🥋🤼‍♂️ #RLTW

In Afghanistan I remember talking to a contractor who was making six figures a year and all he did was fill up CO2 canisters for the paintball guns in the guard towers.......................jealousy level over 9000!!!!!

Damn. That location is awesome. Something that seems to be common in a lot of your videos. Viewer definitely appreciates.

“Rad” first word to learn when becoming a contractor

"its a trap, you make 6 figures for working half a year..." wish i could get trapped like that...

I really enjoy the B-Mo patch on his arm. There's a man I can trust.

Pro: 💰 Con: 💀

You ain’t making $250/day at Trader Joe’s man

Pro: money Con: money

This has got to be one of the most brutally honest videos i've ever seen. Sharing the pain couldnt have been easy, but you probably made some folks second think their decisons.

guy looks less than 30 but speaks with the wisdom of a 85 year old, who did not manage to live their life...

This is the most realistic, rationale and grounded advice I have ever heard from a PMC. Good job 👍

>Join Military >Join Contracting >Stuff as much money as you can manage into a 401k >Get a civilian job and retire early Thanks for this, im frugal by nature and contracting is shaping up to be a good move for me. Staying away from the drugs and alcohol is also probably a good bet.

Can we have an Advice by the Campfire with Ivan series? None of this video applied to me and I watched the whole thing. The only thing that would have made it better is if you’d started out wearing a plate carrier, entered frame left, took it off and slung it while switching out for the puffy coat, changed out of your gaiters and boots and into some Lems, and played a punk cover of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as an intro.

You can tell this guy has experience from the way he expresses himself.

Things I hated about contracting. 1. Shitty military units. (They will come up with the lamest excuse to get you fired so you have to play nice or don't socialize with them) 2. The pay. (Shitty contracts sucks. Especially if you cannot climb up the contracting ladder. So "NETWORK" b/c it's up to "YOU" if you "WANT" a better job and pay) 3. Brown nosing contractors. (People love drama but be vigilant of what you say and do) 4. The smell of a shit creek, dead animals, and trash. (Get use to it. Also, don't touch anything lying around as a rule of thumb) 5. Your boss/site lead. (I had a very complacent site lead. She [just telling the truth] didn't know how to write up an SOP, let alone believed the Army had to write an SOP for us contractors. I was told by a bearded ninja to simply follow him if shit goes really bad) Things I loved about contracting. 1. The military background of those you're surrounded with/work alongside. (It was my first time overseas so I ALWAYS asked good rifle/pistol/etc drills/techniques to improve my knowledge and skills. The guys I was with helped me a lot for a first time overseas contracting tour) 2. Range time (Because who loves shooting crates upon crates of ammo) 3. The locals (Stories about the Soviet invasion and Horse soldiers. Playing cricket was interesting but enjoyable) 4. NATO (Met a lot of awesome people from different countries. Still keep in contact with almost everyone I met) 5. The memories (Because not a lot of people will have funny, shitty, and cool memories/stories about living and working in another country) Why I decided to stop contracting? Even though contracting has given me one hell of an experience I won't ever forget. You can't replace "TIME" with missing out on family events. Also things "CHANGE" very quickly so what you remember seeing back at home might be different when you come home. Believe me, I'm still single with no kids before and after contracting. You're probably thinking, "WTF is this guy saying/thinking?!" Well it's simple for me. The amount of stupid shit that happens overseas from NDs (negligent discharges), fights, and etc. Yeah... it gets old fast, but apart of me still itches to go back even though I won't.

This guy talks real slow for having a campfire on ice.

I've never been a contractor myself, but my older brother started with Blackwater in 04 and stayed with them up until 08 before going to work with triple canopy. I watched him live the high life for many years but unfortunately now after 10 years of Contracting in Iraq I've had to sit here and watch him lose his $140,000 SUV his $300,000 condo in Atlanta due to severe PTSD and alcoholism and at the age of 47 probably won't be with us much longer. It's an absolute shame that there's not some sort of Exit Plan for these contractors who spend 10 years overseas and are expected to come back here and live a civilian life without thinking that every animal carcass or shoe box on the side of the road is an IED. I would literally give anything to have my brother back to normal but unfortunately I guess he's had to see and do too many things that he just can't unsee. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

Fiscal discipline - number one killer - I am now a commercial diver I see all the same problems as I did as a contractor - but it all becomes such a life style I cant imagine not travelling and not being "isolated" from things - still no wife or kids and will be 50 soon - its always one more job - great video and so true ---thanks

Con: more contractors have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan than service members, and you aren't tracked. Just call them mercenaries, or change history books to call mercenaries contractors.

>security contractor >divorced shocking

Man I'm turning 29 this year. I wish I knew about this 10 years ago when I was single for 7 damn years.... ugh

As a current security contractor, I agree with everything you said. I want to quit, but the money is just too good. I am constantly tired, angry, and hate my life. I keep telling myself "I'll quit soon. This will be my last job" and it never comes. The money just provides so much for my family and opportunities for them. I had an exit plan initially after 4 years, and then I was going to go back to school to study and do something else... I'm into my 10th year now as a security contractor, and it is just all about the money. It keeps luring me back. This is my sad, pathetic existence. I'll probably be that guy in his 50s that is still doing this line of work because I don't know any other way. I'd say avoid security contract work if you can... AT ALL COSTS!

This man sounds like he’s seen some dark stuff

Single with no obligations. When keeping it real goes wrong.

Pro: Money Con: Money.... Quality problems.

Had a buddy who was a contractor...was addicted to war. Came home and died from a heart attack in his 20s training to become a state trooper. I think the stress got to him eventually.

Pro's: Your not a part of the Geneva convention rules. Cons: Your not a part of Geneva convention rules.

Very Good one, thanks for sharing. I will just add my experience for European contractors hope you don't mind. So I was about to start this lifestyle 7 8 years ago, when I finished my time with the French paratroopers. I started Digging up info, I then have smelled the bullcrap behind this business, and renounced it. First of all, For European citizens and military personnel it's even harder to get acess to contracts, let alone the fact that 90% of contracts are from the US/UK contracting bodies and requiring US/UK citizens for the most. Secondly, whoever is able to provide you with an accessible contract for your citizenship situation, you'll get the shittiest Jobs ever, and least paid ones with the poorest support. It depends on the company of course but (I've been asked to bring my own weapons and gears) which is totally impossible doing so legally in the EU. Or else you will have to go and deal with Russians and Eastern Europeans, which it's not that nice at all if you are not slavic, polish Ukrainian or Russian yourself. and it's not that well paid, barely around 100 dollars a day, and it's un enjoyable at all because of the stupidity you need to deal with. Thirdly, even if you get a uk/us contract, before beginning anything they will require you a (superhero) type of curriculum... with ages of experience, a lot of war tours, and God knows what else. and if you don't have it, then you'll probably need to acces their own qualification courses, ending up to spend more than 20k in euros, just for starting the whole crap, plus, additional training money.... Basically, you're a slave, for a freaking corporation with kids able to pull out contracts, for their money making machine, that you wash and produce with your efforts and hard labour. You ending up giving up your life and money for the passion you have for war and their pockets. I said to myself Better not get involved, or if money and connection can allow it, start your own business in the sector. Don't waste time on being a freaking donkey for them. You're not in the military, there are no values and comradeship. It's just about profit and loss. Peace brothers

Man's looking like an LL. Bean model giving me real advice. I'm taking notes.

solid advice

Speaking for myself and my time as a contractor, this guy is on point with most points. I was not good with my money on the first contract. Couldn't hold a relationship for the life of me. Missed out on holidays, b-days, etc. Finally learned to manage my money before resigning. One thing he didn't mention as a con was whoever was the gov't agency running the contract, I encountered a lot of college degreed idiots with little to no combat experience making stupid decisions. And also being threatened of being fired if you don't do what they say. Can't make decisions on your own and if you do and they don't like it, you're fired. So always walking on eggshells. All in all, the pros were more temporary and the cons more long lasting. But I still have friends doing it and I support them 100%. If it works for them, who am I to say they're wrong. It just didn't work for me to do it long term. Great way tho if you want to get debt free and just work a year or two, contracting is the way to go. Just have to make some sacrifices for that time.

I agree to the whole, waving the American flag thing. If you wanna do something cause you wanna wave the American flag, just join the military. You WEAR the flag.

wait, i don't have to shave? sign me up!

The Important stuff is not planned . . . Words of profound Wisdom Sir.

My dad wasn't a contractor or even in the military but he was always traveling for business and would be gone for months at a time and what you said about missing the important little things hit home. I just found your channel today you definitely earned a new subscriber PS also kinda random but what state do you live in it looks beautiful?

damn... this man has a soothing Grandpa around the fire camp vibe...🔥🔥🔥

Con - home sick Con - away sick When you’re there you’re missing the wife, kids, family When you’re home you’re missing the work and jonsing over the next contract which ruins your time with the family. Travel is cool if you get on stuff that takes you places other than the Middle East but those are few and far between. Food was jam up as were the gyms even on gov contracts IF you were attached to the right units. Definitely a single mans game and go ahead and ditch any sense of patriotism and honor you have now. Most people you meet on contract won’t share those views. Other than that. I’ve met life long friends, experienced things few could ever relate to and participated in things I’m very proud of. But it took me years to reset to normal life.

I cant explain the amount of joy and happiness I felt when seeing my 6 yr son talk with me about his tooth falling out and the tooth-fairy coming to get it and give him something for it. You couldn't be righter in the sense of missing the little things. Thanks for reminding our brothers of the sacrifice between money and true-joy.

Love how this man has a BMO patch on his jacket straight style

If you fellas are looking to come back to civilization, get a lineman apprenticeship. Similar social dynamics, stay in shape, make 100-200k per year and keep you body parts where they belong. Admittedly the divorce rate isn't that much better if you're working out of town - an observation not an experience. From an ex- combat engineer

Think this is the first open and honest talk on the subject I've seen, usually it's rather shrouded in mystery to say the least.

The algorithm actually worked. this is awesome

i just watched this whole thing and i never had intentions to do contracting lol he just sucked me in

Yeah I'm not gonna lie, having someone's head land in front of me when I'm just doing some logistics job, I'd need a shrink too.

Imagine this dude picking off some car bomber with the BMO patch on

I don't know why I bothered to watch this whole video when I could never get into security contracting. I'm not a military veteran.

What gloves are you wearing?

It's a trap, but I only have to re-model my house one more time and I'm done! Haha. Thank you for the great content Kit!

5 years contractor, pay is definitely great and 401K got way plused up

As a single dude with no kids, I've fallen for the trap lol.

I'm not even in the military but I am glad I watched this. It felt like having a deep serious talk with the older brother I never had.

Single, cheap, good spirit, about to get out the Navy and a born hustler. Sounds like a good idea to me!

I have a paracord bracelet and I'm growing a beard. Where do I apply?

Mandatory content for those thinking about the contracting lifestyle... Absolutely spot on Ivan!!!

Pros: can say rad whenever u want Cons: once out, can so rad "not so much"

"stop putting sticks on this fire? Not so much"

I feel like a lot of this advice extends to other occupations such as working on an oil rig or at a remote mining operation, etc.

Pro: Great money. Con: Can't spend it if some asshole beheads you. Sometimes that career at McDonalds front counter looks pretty good.

People still visit that fire today. It’s become a Mecca for contractors.

This video was really well done and honest. I experienced the same thing working on the oil fields doing shift work. Divorce rate for long term employees was 80-90%, the money was all spent trying to catch up on the everyday life that I missed, and the savings at the end was around 15% of what I could have saved. You have to miss birthdays, anniversaries, and hardest were the funerals that you can't attend for friends and family that you truly love. It's not all bad, but my advice would be to hire a financial adviser and lock down a rock solid financial plan so you can do high paying shift work for a couple years and then walk away having rental properties or something that you can live off of and have long term stability.

I keep getting those job offers just because I am a veteran. I'm like....nah son, no thanks. lol

Another con is that certain jobs back in the States frown upon military contractors because they see us as “mercenaries” or they only know about “the Blackwater incident”. It took me a few years to land a good job back in the States, got turned down multiple times for the above reason. Just sad.

LOL winchester on a belt-fed into a hesco wall... had my in tears laughing!

Do you know Jason blaha? He is a famous security contractor

Went contracting three months after leaving the army at the age of 24 chewed through two relationships and learnt alot about myself, left that life now Have a house half paid off and happily married. Couldn't have done it without contracting, you gotta have a plan though and stick to it

I can definately find myself guilty of the "Oh its only 5 days of work" mentality. I've wasted ALOT of money on unnessecary shit I didnt need just because "Oh I'll make that money back in half a day." In hindsight, should have put that money into savings or investment.

He's right about the rationalizing, the world doesn't stop when you're deployed and nothing is on hold, it's rough to adjust back to normal life after being deployed

Cons: Multiple failed relationships. Trouble with Internal/Interpol. Battered and bruised. Money - you might get burned. Pros: Money - if you dont get burned. Pretty much in a professional environment. (Also depends).

Become an IT guy and get a nice cushy DOD IT contract. More money and no real danger. You also don't have to be a "Bang Bang" contractor, you can go over with a logi company. I was a plumber in the Anbar province from 2008 - 2010. Money wasn't all that great, about 80K a year but it got me through the recession.

You broke this down perfectly. I lost my marriage and fell into this trap you spoke about.

Can confirm, dad did some contracting for 4 years and it broke our family up. Once he got back it took years to mend our family back together, and if my mom wasn't so forgiving she would have left around the 3rd or 4th time. Money was great but we blew it all. I'm going to do the same thing but while I'm single and much younger and even then it's probably going to suck. But I dont have a wife or kids so I'm not leaving anybody back home that I would hurt.

I like how he's talking about a dangerous job, but he has BMO on his shoulder. This is most definitely the type of Security Contractor I'd be.