The Defense Contractor 101 Handbook: Insights and Careers

Copyright © 2020 by Corey M. Kell. 811425

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Xlibris

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Library of Congress Control Number:                      2020919460

Rev. date: 10/06/2020

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Contractor Orientation: Preparation and Deployment Readiness

Chapter 2 Contract Jobs and the Industry Fields

Chapter 3 Medical Requirements and Processes

Chapter 4 Understanding the Statement of Work (SOW) or Project Work Statement (PWS)

Chapter 5 Travel Guide Information

Chapter 6 Being Part of the Team

Chapter 7 Understanding When to Walk Away

Chapter 8 Résumé Information and Preparation

Chapter 9 Bad Day at Qargha

Chapter 10 Living Conditions on Contract

Chapter 11 Working alongside Foreign Nationals and Foreign Military Partners

Chapter 12 Summary

13 Defense Contract Company Responsibilities to CONUS and OCONUS Deploying Employee(s)

Glossary

INTRODUCTION

The Defense Contractor Handbook was created to guide those who desire to work in the defense contract industry, whether their background is military or civilian. Readers with military experience will find this background of some help as they read through the information presented here. The emphasis is on my experiences in the CENTCOM area of operation (AOR). As reported by Defense News, the defense contract industry recorded $375.46 billion in revenue in 2018 for the top 100 defense companies. This marked a 2.9 percent growth, making jobs in these fields both in demand and lucrative over and above many other career fields that support this robust industry. The Defense Contractor 101 Handbook is divided into thirteen chapters, with a glossary of terms at the end.

Experience may be the best teacher, as I have learned throughout my career both in the military (from 1983 to 2006) and in the defense contract world (from 2007 to present, 2019). My experience includes twenty-three years serving in the United States Army in combat arms branch as a field artilleryman and an additional twelve years serving as a defense contractor in various fields of technical work still actively engaged in defense contract work overseas. There are two key elements to working in the defense contract industry. The first 50 percent is getting along with others, especially if you’re on a team. The remaining 50 percent is knowing there’s always work to be done and, thus, staying busy and focused.

The Defense Contractor 101 Handbook is meant as an introductory look at what it takes to work in the industry and the processes involved in doing so. As a guide, it has several practical applications—for defense contract companies; college-level graduate; civilians; and military personnel, either exciting the service or still in a reserve or guard component and desiring to transition into the defense contract industry. First, it provides a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the processing one must go through for employment and/or deployment. Second, it explains what to expect along this journey, listing helpful tips; information; and some industry dos and don’ts when it comes to travel, training, and career success.

The book emphasizes the DoD CENTCOM AOR (the Department of Defense US Central Command Area of Responsibility), as this is by far and away the most in demand AOR for defense contract work. It will have applications for other command areas as well.

For more on information contained in this book or questions, you may email me at [email protected].

My direct experience and background fieldwork include:

• Lukos. Mobility combat trainer, advisor, and mentor, Afghanistan (12/01–present)

• Raytheon. Specialty vehicle trainer, advisor, mentor and technical writer, Afghanistan (01/19–12/19)

• Engility. Range safety technician, enhanced graphics firing desk operator, and technical writer, Kuwait (06/17–12/2018)

• Vectrus, DAV Force, URS. COMMEL and logistical equipment quality control inspector, Kuwait (08/16–06/17)

• Engility. Infrastructure analyst, Afghanistan (11/13–08/14)

• Military Professional Resource Incorporate (MPRI), Engility. Operations manager, Afghanistan (12/12–11/13)

• Military Professional Resource Incorporate (MPRI). Administration and operations officer, Afghanistan (01/12–11/12)

• Military Professional Resource Incorporate (MPRI). Trainer, principle / trainer, team leader, Afghanistan (11/09–12/11)

• Combat Support Associates, Ltd. Deployment advisor, Kuwait (05/08–11/09)

• Combat Support Associates, Ltd. Armed force protection officer, Kuwait (04/07–05/08)

• US Army observer controller trainer, 4th BDE, 91st Div. Training Center, Ft. Lewis, WA (09/02–12/06)

• US Army battalion operations sergeant / platoon sergeant / gunnery sergeant, Ft. Bragg, NC (02/98–09/02).

• United States Army field artillery (2/2/83–1/31/06)

1

Contractor Orientation: Preparation

and Deployment Readiness

1.1. What it Means to Be a Defense Contractor

First, let’s define what a defense contractor is. A defense contractor can be a business, company, or individual that provides products and/or services in support of the Department of Defense (DoD) military missions. These include both national and foreign policy areas of operation and responsibility that the United States has a vested interest in.

The DoD command areas of responsibility (by global region) include USNORTHCOM, USSOUTHCOM, USEUCOM, USCENTCOM, USAFRICOM, and USPACOM.

The metrics of money, jobs, and the mission are all centered on DoD command areas of responsibility.

Countries are listed in each command AOR. Note that some countries may shift into other command areas as designated by the DoD.

1.2. AOR CENTCOM

The following information is given based on the most current combat active military area of operation (AOR), CENTCOM, which has a major bulk of defense contracts and defense contractors in that respective area of the world. To give a better sense of numbers of personnel, I have provided census information in figures 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 and a reference website (https://www.your-poc.com/latest-contractor-census-fy-october-2018-contractor-support-area-dod-uscentcom/).

Figure 1.1. Census information for the CENTCOM AOR.

Figure 1.2. CENTCOM major area of operation Afghanistan.

Figure 1.3. CENTCOM major area of operation, Iraq.

1.3. Why Choose the Defense Contract Industry?

Your motivation for pursuing a job or career within the defense contract industry may vary, but the bottom line for most is the money side of this dynamic industry. The financial gain and revenue earned can reward you with financial freedom.

There are, of course, other reasons to work in the industry, such as:

■ Opportunity to work in high-technology and military science fields

■ Opportunity for travel and cultural enrichment

■ Service to country and a cause

■ Experience and exposure within an austere hostile environment

1.4. Inherent Dangers to Consider

There are, however, inherent dangers in some fields that require work in combat danger zones. For some jobs, you must weigh the balance of what you may gain against what you may lose. And if you’re married, having your spouse’s support in this decision is a must. It’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

1.5. Preparation and Processing for Defense Contract Work

In this section, I’ll discuss the preparation and process once you’ve made the decision to pursue work within the defense contract industry. You’ll find the hardest part of this work is the preparation for employment, especially if this is your first time. And then, just when you think you’ve gotten the hang of how it all works, it changes. Have patience. Knowing the process can help you plan and facilitate your transition into this industry. Understand that this process is very different from landing your typical nine-to-five job.

Working in the defense contract industry, for some, can require very specific skill sets and, for others, a minimal set of qualifications. You will find that this industry is varied, and all who desire to work within it must meet certain qualifications. Whether it’s training, skill sets, education, experience, or your resolve, all or some of these can factor in landing that next job within the industry.

1.5.1. DoD, not NASA

What you will find in this book is tailored to ground combat training, training support, logistics, aviation, and the aviation assets that support it. This includes most branches of the DoD, including army, navy, air force, and marines. What you won’t find is aerospace, space, and the rocketry that supports that industry—we will save that for the NASA folks.

1.5.2. The Contractor Transitional Process Cycle

The contractor transitional process, shown in figure 1.4, gives a snapshot of the cycle that a defense contractor can expect to be integrated into. Both understanding information about and preparing for a specific DoD mission require understanding this basic cyclical process.

Figure 1.4.

1.6. CONUS versus OCONUS

In this section, we will discuss the difference between processing for work in the continental United States (CONUS) and processing for overseas work outside the continental United States (OCONUS). Included will be a much more in-depth preparation for deployment for OCONUS employment and specific requirements—this includes both armed and disarmed contract work. The basic cyclic processes for defense contractors are shown in figure 1.4. For contractors who deploy OCONUS or overseas, there are seven basic steps and a timeline (see figure 1.5). For CONUS employment, there are five basic steps and a timeline (see figure 1.6). Variations may occur. However, deployment will be very similar to this process shown.

Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.6.

1.7. Qualifications for Contract Work

Screening for contract work includes four main areas of qualifications. For the morale portion, you’ll be required to list any law violations or past record, and a background check will be conducted.

The physical portion (for certain locations, especially overseas deployment) may require you to complete a full or partial physical. Your recruiter or hiring company representative will direct you to a location or site to take the physical (most companies pay for the physical; check with your recruiter). As part of the physical, you may need to get or update your immunizations; recruiters will provide a list depending on the deployment area of work. If you have had a physical within the past thirty to ninety days, your physical may be valid for that position. Ask your recruiter; this may save you a step.

The third part is the training or skill set requirement for prior military members. This may mean a specific military occupation specialty (MOS) job field. Or in some cases, proficiency in a language other than English may be required.

Part four is a financial background check. This includes reporting any bankruptcy or current loans or liens levied against you. For some, this may be the scariest part. Be honest in reporting; you’ll find most companies will work with you.

1.7.1. Training for OCONUS deployment

For OCONUS deployment, the United States Army has designated an individual deployment validation center. These sites are called CONUS replacement centers (CRCs). Their mission is to ensure both military and contractors meet required physical qualifications, receive deployment training (first aid, buddy aid, chemical biological training, introduction to improvised explosive devices [IEDs], and vehicle rollover training). Deployers will also receive briefings on guardian angel security, sexual