Posted on 06/14/2009 4:26:50 PM PDT by naturalman1975
THE safety of Australian embassy staff operating out of the US diplomatic compound in Kabul has been jeopardised by security lapses so severe the US State Department has issued a series of complaints against the private contractor responsible.
State Department documents released during a US Senate hearing last week showed the contractor in charge of security at the US embassy in Afghanistan, ArmorGroup North America, "has been deficient since the start of the contract in July 2007".
ArmorGroup left guard posts at the embassy vacant, hired Gurkha security guards who could not speak English, and failed to properly train their personnel on how to repel attacks.
A surprise inspection of the compound by State Department officials in March found the problems still existed, with 18 guard posts left vacant, some for several hours.
Australian embassy staff were forced to move out of temporary offices at the Serena Hotel in Kabul following a suicide bomb attack by Taliban militants in January last year.
The embassy, headed by ambassador Martin Quinn, is understood to have been operating from the US compound in the Afghan capital since then, although the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not confirm or deny this in the interests of security.
A departmental spokesman told The Australian: "The safety and security of staff is our highest priority and we will continue to take whatever steps we consider are necessary to help ensure the most effective security possible."
But security at the US embassy has been publicly under question since April last year, when two former ArmorGroup employees sued the company, now a subsidiary of Wackenhut, for wrongful dismissal after they raised concerns about security.
(Excerpt) Read more at theaustralian.news.com.au ...
Holy crap. What a mess!
So, according to Leon Panetta, the State Department wants the embassy to be attacked.
Seem like they are advertising for help.
Job Snapshot
Location: Orlando, FL 32801 ( Map it )
Base Pay: $93,330 - $109,000 /Year
Employee Type: Full-Time Employee
Industry: Government - Civil Service
Law Enforcement
Military
Manages Others: No
Job Type: Facilities
Legal
Professional Services
Experience: Not Specified
Posted: 5/19/2009
Description
Company Overview
ArmorGroup North America has had an established presence and reputation in North America for over 25 years, ensuring the US Government and its agencies, Fortune 500 corporations and international peace and security organizations are able to operate securely and confidently. We assist our clients by identifying and mitigating risks to their people, assets and interests and specialize in supporting contingency operations, crisis response and business continuity planning and implementation, both within North America and overseas.
Job Description
ArmorGroup North America is looking for Embassy Security Force and Embassy Response Team candidates for our Kabul Embassy Security Force program in Afghanistan.
What is the ArmorGroup Embassy Security Force Program?
The primary mission of ArmorGroup North America in Afghanistan is to provide protection for United States personnel and U.S. Government employees and to protect the U.S. Embassy and diplomatic facilities and equipment from damage or loss.
ArmorGroup North America is looking for Embassy Security Force personnel who possess a sense of pride in what they do and are looking for an opportunity to be part of history in the making. The Embassy Security Force Program is an opportunity to advance your career and to join an elite group of those who have taken the next steps in supporting the mission of the U.S. Government in Afghanistan.
Life in Afghanistan is challenging and is not for all; however, for those who have what it takes to operate in a combat region, it can be one of the most personal and professionally rewarding experiences in a lifetime.
What do we offer?
Career Advancement
Salary ranges from $93,330 - $109,000 per year (Salary determined by position)
Lodging and meals provided
Complete uniform, weapons, and personal protective gear issued
Pre-deployment training
Duty and housing on secure compounds
9 week on / 3 week off rotations with Roundtrip R&R ticket provided
Being a part of history
Requirements
Embassy Security Force Requirements:
5 years military/law enforcement/similar guard force experience
3 years experience as a supervisor, comparable to an NCO
Minimum 1 year in a tactical unit a person may qualify for an ERT assignment.
Additional Requirements
Background investigation, pre-employment drug screening, and physical agility tests are conducted
Moderate Risk Public Trust certification
Will be subject to medical physicals
Valid passport and Driver’s License
Do you reckon they miss Blackwater yet?
Personally I'd sleep like a baby knowing I was being guarded by Gurkhas.
L
hired Gurkha security guards who could not speak English,
Personally I’d sleep like a baby knowing I was being guarded by Gurkhas.
L
(My truck knife is a Kukri)
Nice choice.
Are those Armor salaries on the low side from what you know?
Stay safe and change your socks.
That's it? No way in hell!
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