Chixe

I don't think I could sacrifice my current quality of life for that much money. I don't think it's worth the pricetag.

It would depend on whether you have family you are leaving behind. If I was single I would be all over the Iraq job. Now that I have a wife and baby, I would take the local job and be happy. Even if I could take them with me, I wouldn't want to put them through that.

Hey Adam is this in reference to the Iraq web developer positions I've seen popping up the past day or so?

If I were single I'd absolutely do it, at least for 6 months (I believe you could choose 6 or 12 month contracts). Yes it could be dangerous but it's a ridiculously overpaid job that could help financially in the future. Plus from what I read, they put you up at the base for free. I don't think I'd go stir crazy because there would be a ton of people on the base to interact with.

Back when I worked for a Defense Dept. contractor in college, I had a secret clearance (TBMD sector at Grumman as a C4ISR contractor) but I don't anymore, it would have been something good to keep up. Regardless I believe these positions needed TS clearance so that would take about 6 months or more to acquire if one were serious about these positions.

Having lived over there for a while I can certainly see what you mean Phill. But, it's not like you're living in a tent for 2 years, some of those bases are pretty well built up. We even had a couple of Pizza Huts, Burger Kings and even a Popeye's over there.

But, quality of life would certainly be a huge factor.

Are you serious Mike? lol, I had no idea they needed web developers.

No, that's not the position I had in mind, but hey...

I would definitely think about it short-term. No longer than for a year, though.

Carmodyarc: That is just weird, because I thought you for sure were talking about that actual job posting.

I'm pretty sure that Mike, and JPhill, and myself were all thinking about that particular job posting that has surfaced recently. There's just too much of a coincidence.

So it's actually $240K and 6 or 12 months.

I just don't understand why a military base in Iraq requires an AJAX developer, let alone on-site.

Hehe... That would be an interesting position for sure ;)
But seriosuly, no that's not the one I meant.

That one, by the way would involve you running directly with some Army dudes getting shot at. There's no way in hell I'd do that one. (the week in Ft. Benning gives it away)

Having been on military bases, and knowing how built up they can be, etc., I still would not choose to take a job over there, even on a short-term basis, with the additional tax-free salary.

Hawk of AppleGeeks weights in on the job posting:

That's crazy. I would do it, but...there's some things coming up that I can't miss. Even for over $100k.

I can't imagine wanting to live in iraq, even during peaceful times, so no.

I was offered 100k a few years back for a position in San Francisco, but with housing costs what they are there, it makes it a lot less enticing. I turned it down. I still don't make 100k from one job in a year, but I'm happy with that.

I would probably be willing to travel anywhere , even Sudan, before I'd go to Iraq as an American Citizen at this point in time. If I had children I would not consider it.

Otherwise I 'm all for travel and moving with work, we lived all over and it was not a bad life.

How Much is $170k Worth to You?

About £85k =)

I don't think I'd ever consider work like this. I'm into the second week of seven weeks being apart from my girlfriend while she's on her medical elective in Madagascar and it's not easy.

I wouldn't be able to cope only being able to see her one month out of twelve (the allotted holiday time) even if I could buy nice shiny things when I got back.

The same goes for my family and friends. I don't need daily contact from all of them but going out there would be quite a lonely experience.

I'd take the $170k upfront for 6 months, no strings attached, just go in dev. get a team of 4 iraqi kids, teach them how to do it better than i could, outsource it for $25k each, be done in 2 months, demand full time jobs for the kids and get out of there. Bam.

now... if only i were an actual web developer....

get a team of 4 iraqi kids, teach them how to do it better than i could, outsource it for $25k each, be done in 2 months

Haha, I like where your head is at.

I guess most of it is Danger money. Or the conditions would be difficult. Under constant fear of being attacked. Surrounded by bloodshed. No water/ partial electricity..the list goes on...

Even if life here is boring, bills are piling up, you are between jobs and there is no relationship or family that's important: please remember that your very life is much more important than Danger money.

This one is simple. It's all about opportunity cost.

The concept of opportunity cost basically says that in order to gain something, you must lose something else.

It's obvious that you're gaining money if you choose the job in Iraq. What else are you gaining?

Weigh that against what you're giving up. Are you sacrificing time (with family, friends, enjoying what you do, and the freedom to come and go as you please), mental energy, happiness, or peace of mind?

The key to determining your actual opportunity cost is to balance the gain with the loss and decide if whatever is left over meets or exceeds your original motive for making the decision. Is what you're sacrificing worth the money?

Once you've done that, you need to perform a gut check. Ask yourself the following:

Will your decision be an accurate depiction of who you really are? Will your decision support your life's values?

Once you've done that, you'll have your answer.