PMCI - August 2014
Welcome to the first Full Issue of PMCI - The ONLY magazine dedicated solely to Private Military Contractors. In this inaugural issue we expose a few "Maritime Myths", travel down The Jalahbad Road and an experienced Operative writes about his CP experience, so far. We also take a look at a range of kit and essentials, including both PenCott and Applied Orange, plus AKU Pilgrim HL boots, pouches and plate carriers, along with GPS devices and Laptops - all from an in-country perspective and Dave Strawbridge writes about that most ubiquitous of weapons, the AK-47. You'll also find listings of recommended CP and First Aid courses, along with Maritime and Security jobs.
Welcome to the first Full Issue of PMCI - The ONLY magazine dedicated solely to Private Military Contractors.
In this inaugural issue we expose a few "Maritime Myths", travel down The Jalahbad Road and an experienced Operative writes about his CP experience, so far.
We also take a look at a range of kit and essentials, including both PenCott and Applied Orange, plus AKU Pilgrim HL boots, pouches and plate carriers, along with GPS devices and Laptops - all from an in-country perspective and Dave Strawbridge writes about that most ubiquitous of weapons, the AK-47.
You'll also find listings of recommended CP and First Aid courses, along with Maritime and Security jobs.
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Most companies have cut travel costs and some now<br />
pay nothing until weapons are in your hands, plus a<br />
“back-to-back” system is being used more now. This is<br />
when you get from one ship to another but get dropped<br />
on a “holding ship” for anything up to 1- 6 weeks - on a<br />
huge pay drop (usually only about $100 a day) and they<br />
are cramped, dirty and with very basic living conditions.<br />
The job side of it is very varied, from excellent ships<br />
to Chinese and Indian-run ships that are very basic all<br />
the way from the food to the cleanliness.<br />
you have to advise, who sleep when they<br />
want - on or off stag - and you have no<br />
control of this and are told you are only<br />
there because of “insurance criteria”.<br />
To top all this, the holding ships are a big question<br />
mark. Lads have been arrested whilst on these<br />
ships and are awaiting trial in India. The companies<br />
tell you it’s legal but I take this with a pinch of salt.<br />
Maritime in the beginning was fantastic but in<br />
the last few years many companies have sprung<br />
up and have tendered for contracts. Piracy has<br />
dropped and a mass of people are looking to get<br />
in. All this has caused a huge drop in money; you<br />
can still earn a decent wage but be prepared for<br />
the goal posts to change.<br />
In the last 12 months Nigeria has come into play. My<br />
last job was Nigeria and it was a nightmare… 1 Brit TL and<br />
a Nigerian team - and they have weapons, while you don’t!<br />
A six week job seemed like a year! It’s hard due<br />
to visas, corruption (from the minute you land<br />
to the minute you leave) and a very slack team<br />
Yet the biggest risk is the lack of procedures<br />
in place for the lads when cross decking<br />
and the fitness of some of the lads. I have<br />
seen some lads who can’t, or struggle<br />
with ladders when cross decking from the<br />
launch to large vessels, sometimes tankers<br />
that are empty and high in the water.<br />
Maritime? It’s just a myth!
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