Military Contractor Jobs
Military contractor jobs or defense contractor jobs refer to any type of service rendered by a company or individual to the defense department of a government. Technically speaking military contactors present only services of a military nature (i.e., like bodyguards or mercenaries). However, military and defense contracts are used interchangeably today.
Types of Jobs Available
Jobs and services include logistics, communications and training. Among the in demand jobs are commissary contractors, military trainers, contractor managers and systems administrators.
Other job vacancies in the field are in military sales, military technical sales support and unit trainers. Other occupations that fall under military contractor jobs are electromechanical engineers and engineering analysts.
Jobs in the US Defense Department
The jobs in the US Defense Department range from civilian to service positions. The positions are divided among five groups: the US Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and the Navy. The contract jobs available are in the accounting services, technicians, engineers, firefighters and law enforcement officers. Jobs are also divided into the following categories.
Jobs in Avionics and Media
These include flight engineers, air traffic controllers, helicopter pilots and airplane pilots. Media job vacancies include desktop publishers, graphics illustrators and audiovisual specialists.
Construction and Social Work Related Jobs
Military contractor jobs in this category are building specialists, civil engineers and electricians. Social jobs include counselors and psychologists. Other job vacancies are in the health care and medical section. These include doctors, dentists, therapists and dieticians.
Salaries, Perks and Other Benefits
This will depend on the job and where you are applying for. The basic pay for US Defense contract jobs can be from $18000.00 to $21000.00. Special payment or bonuses can be given to people who are highly qualified.
Among the perks included are housing benefits which can range from $6000.00 to $17000.00. Clothing allowances can range from $1300.00 to $1600.00. The medical insurance can be as much as $3250.00. Dental insurance is about $221.00.
How to Find Military Contractor Jobs
There are several job search engines on the Internet. When applying for the job, you need to look at the work requirements carefully. If you are applying for civilian positions, the job application process should be no different from other companies.
If you are a contractor (be it security, transportation etc), landing a job can be harder. Given the nature of the work, the requirements are very strict. This is especially true if you are applying for work in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Tips for Job Seekers and Contractors
The key is to network. You can find work more easily if you know people in the industry. Stay updated on what’s happening. Job openings and situations change rapidly especially in high risk countries. Needless to say, you need to know which companies or individuals get or lose contracts.
Military contractor jobs can be financially rewarding and provide you with working experiences unlike any other. Since the situation can change quickly, it pays to be aware of what jobs are in demand and what the benefits are.