A Family's View of Life as a Contractor in Iraq

As a military brat, I grew up accustomed to having my dad away on tour to foreign countries quite often. And while my family did not relocate as many times as other families we knew, we did experience more adventure than most of my friends here in Ohio. And so, less than six months before my wedding, I was not completely surprised when my dad informed me, by email, that he was leaving immediately for a contract in Iraq. I loved living in Italy, and I would love to visit Turkey, where my father met his second wife and her two sons. I am game for travel to almost anywhere, but probably not Iraq. My first question was, "Why?" And then the next question was, "Isn't it terribly dangerous for contractors over there? What if you get decapitated?!" His response was nothing short of, "It's good money and completely safe as long as you're not an idiot. By the way, don't tell your Grandma I'm going to Iraq. I don't want her to worry."

It is now three years later, and my father is still in Iraq. Willingly. He has been employed by several different contracts, from walking the perimeter with guns almost as tall as me, to playing cab driver back and forth from the base to the airport. And while this never truly surprised me, my father was always an ambitious man with varying interests, I was shocked when his petite, sweet wife packed her bags, sent her youngest to live with her sister in Turkey then later my father's sister in Ohio. Imagine my complete surprise when I received an email from the older son informing me of his new position in Iraq. I could only imagine it must be cute to live in the hotel room next to your mom for six full months. So, what is life like in Baghdad, Iraq? The following insight was given to me by stories family relayed to me and the various pictures they sent.

Living arrangements are small, consisting of a small suite in a Baghdad hotel. My family never complained because they worked long hours, only going "home" to sleep and eat. Laundry was picked up, washed, and dried for you. Although my mother preferred to wash her own. All meals were prepared and served in the hotel lobby. My stepbrother complains about the service, he said it was so great they never had to do anything. And therefore, his mother forgot how to cook. She agrees. Entertainment consists mostly of circulating DVDs from home and lounging around the pool. Occasionally, if they wanted to go shopping, they would have to wait for a van pool to escort them. While my father told me it is possible to venture off the base without a military escort, it is not advised and considered extremely dangerous. Besides, most things can be purchased on base anyway.

Life in Baghdad is hot and dusty. While the view can be beautiful, especially when the Tigris River can be seen in the background, there is the constant reminder of war in the background. From the sound of guns to the carcasses of bombed SUVs, it is easy to get used to. And when a mortar nicked the corner of the hotel, it wasn't very interesting. My stepbrother has a differing opinion, however. He believes Iraq is a hot and noisy place and could not wait to leave. It doesn't hurt that everybody told him, after the fact, that he was underpaid and should have held out for more money.

My father enjoys Iraq, but is tiring of it. My stepmother enjoyed Iraq and would still be there except for the overwhelming guilt she felt for sending her youngest son to live with extended family. After a year, she regretfully returned to the United States and purchased a steak house in Florida. Currently, she and her sons are running the business while my father spends his vacations running errands for the business, doing repairs, and mowing the grass. He plans to finally retire this December. Unless, of course, he is offered another 6-month contract he can't refuse.