Some say he’s still putting wood on the fire to this day

pro : Good money, suits, Guns Con: Gets killed by the protagonist

Just got out of the Marines, too. Going through divorce, questionable spending habits. This sounds perfect for me

Pros: Everything is rad Cons: Everything isn't so rad when being shot at

Pro: *$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$* Con: It wont buy you air support.

Worked from ‘09-‘13. Every purchase was measured in “this many work days to pay for it”. Left home 3 days after our first baby girl was born and came home 3 days before her 3rd month birthday in 2013. Wife said us or contracts and I picked us. You hit the nail on the head with that part. We had the perfect marriage that survived that but not breast cancer. She passed a little over a month ago but praise God for two beautiful daughters from our time on earth. She enjoyed your vids! Keep rocking on man!

Pros: make decent money Cons: slow decent into bankruptcy, alcoholism and cool M4 selfies

I have seen contracts as low as 100 bucks a day. at that point id just enlist again

Came here to learn how to keep a fire going. Was not dissapointed.

Just felt like I came across a wise time traveler in Red Dead Redemption 2

He looks like a Division 2 character.

Not a bad gig, beats working at a party store in Detroit getting shot at almost every week for minimum wage.

Watching this is like watching Mr. Rogers if he was a survivalist: sitting by a fire next to an ice covered, gently flowing river. Tossing sticks into the fire occasionally whilst giving heartfelt advice about contracting.

I was one of the lucky ones. I was married when I joined and made it through my 23 year career with my marriage in tact. When I retired I told my wife that I was thinking about contracting and mentioned how good the money would be to my wife. She said, “good, it will help you pay the divorce attorney” That was the last time I mentioned it.

"its a trap, you make 6 figures for working half a year..." wish i could get trapped like that...

"I'm not saying It's the reason for my divorce, but it absolutely contributed to my divorce" -every divorced bro ever 😂

The job sounds a lot like a girl, working as stripper: 1) Money is good 2) can’t do it for long 3) hours are horrible 4) not good for relationships 5) constant need to justify the work 6) you need a good exit strategy because you don’t want to be that old lady scrounging around for dollar bills...

Can someone direct me to the Trader Joe's that's paying $30 an hour?

I can just imagine you giving this talk to your kid and then you'll be like "College? Not so much."

I really enjoyed my time as a Contractor. I spent just under 25yrs. I made anywhere from a shitty $200 A day in the beginning (Late 80s) to as much as $2500 a day on a really sketchy Contract for a outta country 8 days. I was more concerned about making it home than any one of my 8 deployments as a RANGER. Once my daughter was born it was time to start getting off the titty! I don't regret doing almost everything I went through on the job!🥋🤼‍♂️ #RLTW

Pro: Lots of good food. Con: No Lamb Sauce.

Pro: Money! Con: Death.

This is the most realistic, rationale and grounded advice I have ever heard from a PMC. Good job 👍

Love how this man has a BMO patch on his jacket straight style

Sounds like that guy really lost his head. But at least he died doing what he loved

Cons --- 2 marriages not seeing my children income gained then lost because of the above. Pros --- Money weapons

Speaking for myself and my time as a contractor, this guy is on point with most points. I was not good with my money on the first contract. Couldn't hold a relationship for the life of me. Missed out on holidays, b-days, etc. Finally learned to manage my money before resigning. One thing he didn't mention as a con was whoever was the gov't agency running the contract, I encountered a lot of college degreed idiots with little to no combat experience making stupid decisions. And also being threatened of being fired if you don't do what they say. Can't make decisions on your own and if you do and they don't like it, you're fired. So always walking on eggshells. All in all, the pros were more temporary and the cons more long lasting. But I still have friends doing it and I support them 100%. If it works for them, who am I to say they're wrong. It just didn't work for me to do it long term. Great way tho if you want to get debt free and just work a year or two, contracting is the way to go. Just have to make some sacrifices for that time.

I'm not even in the military but I am glad I watched this. It felt like having a deep serious talk with the older brother I never had.

Mercenary = Fights in a War. vs. Security Contractor = Protects People/Assets in Dangerous Places Not the same thing... If you want the Definition, read the Laws of War: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary See the Follow Up Video on Getting Into Security Contracting here: kitbadger.com/security-contracting-what-it-is-and-how-to-get-started/

Don't know how you ended up in my recc's but damn am I glad for it, that was interesting

Things I hated about contracting. 1. Shitty military units. (They will come up with the lamest excuse to get you fired so you have to play nice or don't socialize with them) 2. The pay. (Shitty contracts sucks. Especially if you cannot climb up the contracting ladder. So "NETWORK" b/c it's up to "YOU" if you "WANT" a better job and pay) 3. Brown nosing contractors. (People love drama but be vigilant of what you say and do) 4. The smell of a shit creek, dead animals, and trash. (Get use to it. Also, don't touch anything lying around as a rule of thumb) 5. Your boss/site lead. (I had a very complacent site lead. She [just telling the truth] didn't know how to write up an SOP, let alone believed the Army had to write an SOP for us contractors. I was told by a bearded ninja to simply follow him if shit goes really bad) Things I loved about contracting. 1. The military background of those you're surrounded with/work alongside. (It was my first time overseas so I ALWAYS asked good rifle/pistol/etc drills/techniques to improve my knowledge and skills. The guys I was with helped me a lot for a first time overseas contracting tour) 2. Range time (Because who loves shooting crates upon crates of ammo) 3. The locals (Stories about the Soviet invasion and Horse soldiers. Playing cricket was interesting but enjoyable) 4. NATO (Met a lot of awesome people from different countries. Still keep in contact with almost everyone I met) 5. The memories (Because not a lot of people will have funny, shitty, and cool memories/stories about living and working in another country) Why I decided to stop contracting? Even though contracting has given me one hell of an experience I won't ever forget. You can't replace "TIME" with missing out on family events. Also things "CHANGE" very quickly so what you remember seeing back at home might be different when you come home. Believe me, I'm still single with no kids before and after contracting. You're probably thinking, "WTF is this guy saying/thinking?!" Well it's simple for me. The amount of stupid shit that happens overseas from NDs (negligent discharges), fights, and etc. Yeah... it gets old fast, but apart of me still itches to go back even though I won't.

Con: more contractors have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan than service members, and you aren't tracked. Just call them mercenaries, or change history books to call mercenaries contractors.

In Afghanistan I remember talking to a contractor who was making six figures a year and all he did was fill up CO2 canisters for the paintball guns in the guard towers.......................jealousy level over 9000!!!!!

I really enjoy the B-Mo patch on his arm. There's a man I can trust.

Pro: money Con: money

He's right about the rationalizing, the world doesn't stop when you're deployed and nothing is on hold, it's rough to adjust back to normal life after being deployed

>Join Military >Join Contracting >Stuff as much money as you can manage into a 401k >Get a civilian job and retire early Thanks for this, im frugal by nature and contracting is shaping up to be a good move for me. Staying away from the drugs and alcohol is also probably a good bet.

I love your style of video mate, you splitting branches and throwing them into a fire with running water behind you and snow everywhere is extremely calming and chill.

I love how he is so chill

On a serious note, I have so much respect for the "realness" you just brought. I feel like contracting is glorified so much by folks who genuinely have little to no understanding of it. Thanks for bringing a honest light to this and I hope it helps someone moving forward. Looking forward to future content and you got another subscriber out of me today :)

This has got to be one of the most brutally honest videos i've ever seen. Sharing the pain couldnt have been easy, but you probably made some folks second think their decisons.

You can tell this guy has experience from the way he expresses himself.

Hey Kit. I’ve been watching some of your content and I got to say that this has been one of your most authentic reflections. I appreciate the honest perspective and most of all your transparency in sharing your experiences. I encourage you to keep up the good work brotha! Also, thanks for your vids on the SW & HB. I ultimately decided on the SW due to availability and price point with a few upgrades. It was your content that aided me in my decision. Again, many thanks for the information you put out!

Plus, I know this is just a KZfaq page but this was a very frank, open, heartfelt talk. Would expect nothing less from a Marine. Definitely was sitting, kneeling and bending for this one. Thanks

I've never been a contractor myself, but my older brother started with Blackwater in 04 and stayed with them up until 08 before going to work with triple canopy. I watched him live the high life for many years but unfortunately now after 10 years of Contracting in Iraq I've had to sit here and watch him lose his $140,000 SUV his $300,000 condo in Atlanta due to severe PTSD and alcoholism and at the age of 47 probably won't be with us much longer. It's an absolute shame that there's not some sort of Exit Plan for these contractors who spend 10 years overseas and are expected to come back here and live a civilian life without thinking that every animal carcass or shoe box on the side of the road is an IED. I would literally give anything to have my brother back to normal but unfortunately I guess he's had to see and do too many things that he just can't unsee. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

Had a buddy who was a contractor...was addicted to war. Came home and died from a heart attack in his 20s training to become a state trooper. I think the stress got to him eventually.

This is the most relaxed explanation of a job description and pro/con I have seen.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I chose the sedate path of life in the Shire over adventuring. I totally appreciate what you said about not missing time with loved ones. Still, I like to get out and hunt, fish and explore whenever I can. My late dad was a prospector for a mining company in the late 40s, living on brook trout caught by the way, paddling for miles in Labrador and Northern Quebec, not seeing anyone except the odd Indian passing by in a canoe. He later became a teacher and got married. He always missed being outdoors, but he was always there for us. I learned so much about life from him.

Damn. That location is awesome. Something that seems to be common in a lot of your videos. Viewer definitely appreciates.

“Rad” first word to learn when becoming a contractor

Amazing advice about work, relationships, and parenting. Thanks for taking the time to share the lessons you've learned. Really appreciate your vulnerability and wisdom in this video.

Thank you Marine, very helpful and informative, I needed to hear this. When you brought up how you and your buds talked about the best way out is going crazy on a hesco, made me laugh out loud. Semper Fi

I cant explain the amount of joy and happiness I felt when seeing my 6 yr son talk with me about his tooth falling out and the tooth-fairy coming to get it and give him something for it. You couldn't be righter in the sense of missing the little things. Thanks for reminding our brothers of the sacrifice between money and true-joy.

guy looks less than 30 but speaks with the wisdom of a 85 year old, who did not manage to live their life...

Dude! I bet you an awesome human being as a friend, a mentor and much more. I can feel it through your voice and story! First time watch your video and gotta subscribe and follow! Keep up the good work and hope you the best sir!

The icing on the cake is the iconic THPS soundtrack- Keep it up!!

As a current security contractor, I agree with everything you said. I want to quit, but the money is just too good. I am constantly tired, angry, and hate my life. I keep telling myself "I'll quit soon. This will be my last job" and it never comes. The money just provides so much for my family and opportunities for them. I had an exit plan initially after 4 years, and then I was going to go back to school to study and do something else... I'm into my 10th year now as a security contractor, and it is just all about the money. It keeps luring me back. This is my sad, pathetic existence. I'll probably be that guy in his 50s that is still doing this line of work because I don't know any other way. I'd say avoid security contract work if you can... AT ALL COSTS!

Fiscal discipline - number one killer - I am now a commercial diver I see all the same problems as I did as a contractor - but it all becomes such a life style I cant imagine not travelling and not being "isolated" from things - still no wife or kids and will be 50 soon - its always one more job - great video and so true ---thanks

Very accurate information.... And yes the money gets most people. Discipline and exit strategy is key!

7 months after this came out, it showed up in my feed today. Well hello again, old friend.

Cons: possibility of being strung up from a bridge

Can we have an Advice by the Campfire with Ivan series? None of this video applied to me and I watched the whole thing. The only thing that would have made it better is if you’d started out wearing a plate carrier, entered frame left, took it off and slung it while switching out for the puffy coat, changed out of your gaiters and boots and into some Lems, and played a punk cover of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as an intro.

Good information brother. Way to expand on the pros and cons. I like the blunt legitimate reasons on why to and why not go into contracting. A complete no bullshit assessment from A to Z.

Excellent perspective and absolutely accurate. This same advice is definitely applicable to contract firefighters, from my experience.

Pro: 💰 Con: 💀

Think this is the first open and honest talk on the subject I've seen, usually it's rather shrouded in mystery to say the least.

Really straight to the point with nothing flashy. Great video, I like your character

Thanks man... I had absolutely no desire to do contracting at all, but I enjoyed listening to you... this is applicable to life in general.

Pro: Money Con: Money.... Quality problems.

Single with no obligations. When keeping it real goes wrong.

I didn't expect to find the coziest video on the internet here. Subbed.

Can I just say how beautiful the shot is and how good he looks in it the whole ambiance is beautiful.man I could bleed out to death there

Man's looking like an LL. Bean model giving me real advice. I'm taking notes.

The Important stuff is not planned . . . Words of profound Wisdom Sir.

I like how the first video got only 310k views and this one sits at over a million, funny. Also that backdrop looks so unreal, so peaceful, you seem to find the best places to record. Neat little 3 part series.

Thankyou for your service i appreciate it brother

>security contractor >divorced shocking

Man I'm turning 29 this year. I wish I knew about this 10 years ago when I was single for 7 damn years.... ugh

I like the way the video is styled. It feels like I'm right there in front of you while you teach. Also, I see BMO on his jacket!

Thanks for this. I was amazed how much this hit close to home for me. Thanks

This guy is the Mr. Rogers of the Marine Corps and security contracting. Really nonchalant and passive... until shit gets real then I bet he could do some damage. Lol!

Very Good one, thanks for sharing. I will just add my experience for European contractors hope you don't mind. So I was about to start this lifestyle 7 8 years ago, when I finished my time with the French paratroopers. I started Digging up info, I then have smelled the bullcrap behind this business, and renounced it. First of all, For European citizens and military personnel it's even harder to get acess to contracts, let alone the fact that 90% of contracts are from the US/UK contracting bodies and requiring US/UK citizens for the most. Secondly, whoever is able to provide you with an accessible contract for your citizenship situation, you'll get the shittiest Jobs ever, and least paid ones with the poorest support. It depends on the company of course but (I've been asked to bring my own weapons and gears) which is totally impossible doing so legally in the EU. Or else you will have to go and deal with Russians and Eastern Europeans, which it's not that nice at all if you are not slavic, polish Ukrainian or Russian yourself. and it's not that well paid, barely around 100 dollars a day, and it's un enjoyable at all because of the stupidity you need to deal with. Thirdly, even if you get a uk/us contract, before beginning anything they will require you a (superhero) type of curriculum... with ages of experience, a lot of war tours, and God knows what else. and if you don't have it, then you'll probably need to acces their own qualification courses, ending up to spend more than 20k in euros, just for starting the whole crap, plus, additional training money.... Basically, you're a slave, for a freaking corporation with kids able to pull out contracts, for their money making machine, that you wash and produce with your efforts and hard labour. You ending up giving up your life and money for the passion you have for war and their pockets. I said to myself Better not get involved, or if money and connection can allow it, start your own business in the sector. Don't waste time on being a freaking donkey for them. You're not in the military, there are no values and comradeship. It's just about profit and loss. Peace brothers

these are actually very respectable arguments!

Great advice and good point about there always being another deployment. Like the BMO patch!

The algorithm actually worked. this is awesome

🤣🤣🤣all of a sudden it got real she was in Afghanistan

Wow thank you very much!! I have been wondering about these and this is amazingly helpful.

"golden handcuffs man" - that hit deep

damn... this man has a soothing Grandpa around the fire camp vibe...🔥🔥🔥

This video was really well done and honest. I experienced the same thing working on the oil fields doing shift work. Divorce rate for long term employees was 80-90%, the money was all spent trying to catch up on the everyday life that I missed, and the savings at the end was around 15% of what I could have saved. You have to miss birthdays, anniversaries, and hardest were the funerals that you can't attend for friends and family that you truly love. It's not all bad, but my advice would be to hire a financial adviser and lock down a rock solid financial plan so you can do high paying shift work for a couple years and then walk away having rental properties or something that you can live off of and have long term stability.

That was a cool experience! , thank you for sharing

Facts. I spent 10 years in. Two companies. “One more deployment.” Pro: Visited countries during leave I never would have otherwise. Built a couple friendships for life.

Mandatory content for those thinking about the contracting lifestyle... Absolutely spot on Ivan!!!

Con - home sick Con - away sick When you’re there you’re missing the wife, kids, family When you’re home you’re missing the work and jonsing over the next contract which ruins your time with the family. Travel is cool if you get on stuff that takes you places other than the Middle East but those are few and far between. Food was jam up as were the gyms even on gov contracts IF you were attached to the right units. Definitely a single mans game and go ahead and ditch any sense of patriotism and honor you have now. Most people you meet on contract won’t share those views. Other than that. I’ve met life long friends, experienced things few could ever relate to and participated in things I’m very proud of. But it took me years to reset to normal life.

Great information, I shared it with a friend that's thinking about contracting. Thanks !!!!!

Pros: can say rad whenever u want Cons: once out, can so rad "not so much"

I agree to the whole, waving the American flag thing. If you wanna do something cause you wanna wave the American flag, just join the military. You WEAR the flag.

If you fellas are looking to come back to civilization, get a lineman apprenticeship. Similar social dynamics, stay in shape, make 100-200k per year and keep you body parts where they belong. Admittedly the divorce rate isn't that much better if you're working out of town - an observation not an experience. From an ex- combat engineer

My dude really talking about contracting and hardships with a Bimo patch. That’s awesome.

Very informative, and duly noted. Reminds me of a dad talk.