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AM TACTICAL JANUARY 2019

The 6 Types Of 07

Contractors You

Encounter Overseas

very so often when you’re
sitting in the chow hall The Action Figure
Eoverseas, you’ll gaze up
from your plate of Noodles
Jefferson and take note of your
surroundings. Depending on
theater and tempo, the crowd
ranges from monotone to “Star
Wars” bar scene. Uniforms from
different branches and different
countries worn in different ways;
g o v e r n m e n t e m p l o y e e s a n d
contractors abound.
espite what your mom told
you, you can make some
Dpretty good guesses about a
person by what they wear and how
they carry themselves, at least
in these parts. Your uniform or
civilian attire is how you Stats: Male, 24–40 years of age, muscular.
outwardly project your place in
the pecking order, and this is a Salary: $150,000+
culture where status and tribal
affiliation is particularly Attire: Oakley shades, G-Shock watch, and
prized. a killer tan.

efense contractors perform Action Figures are perhaps the most
a wide variety of functions glamorous contractors you’ll encounter in
Dfor our military overseas. theater — they are the shooters, the
It’s a common myth that they all operators, the guys that kill shit and
make $300,000 doing the same protect important people. Back in the day,
thing they did as an E-5, but Blackwater was the most (in)famous
that’s usually not the case. The employer of these guys. Most are veterans
money can be had in certain of the special operations community. They
specialties, but the majority of make great money and they do love that
contractors maker much less, tactical look. These guys rocked beards
though it’s usually not taxed. way before it became a pencil-neck-hipster
thing. Often spotted manning exotic
ou might not know everyone weapons and riding in armored SUVs, these
on the list below, but are the guys that take care of dignitaries,
Yyou’ve definitely met more visiting leaders and other persons of
than a few of them. note.