Contractor Work, Iraq/Afghanistan as a UAV Pilot?

I am currently in Advanced Individual Training with the U.S. Army to be an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator. I am National Guard, meaning when i get home in Jan i can pursue a civilian career, and i am EXTREMELY interested in working for a DOD Private Contractor company working OCONUS, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I am curious if any of you know any way to break into this industry. I don't want a state side job, i am specifically looking for a company that will give me opportunitynity to fly the UASs in Iraq or Afghanistan. my only drawback is it would have to be a company that flies Shadow, cause thats all i will be trained and qualified to do.

My qualifications would be

-U.S Army trained
-Shadow 200/300 Aircraft Operator/Mission Payload Operator
-Associates Degree in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

any help is appreciated
10 hours ago - 4 days left to

jeeper_peeper3212009-09-29T12:48:07Z

Favorite Answer

1. beside the fact that contractors do not use the small UAV's.

2. You have no experience, no one is gonna hire an untrained person to operate a UAV.

And yes, even after you ge out of AIT, you will be untrained.

Contractors want people with years of experience, not someone right out of school.

Your not gonna have an associates degree, when you graduate AIT

fenner2016-11-04T14:53:01Z

i won't see Marine pilots being so definitely and without postpone replaced by making use of UAVs. although their roles are comparable, their missions selection, and that i don't see complete exchange for a many sort of years. on the very very very very fair hazard which you be replaced by making use of a UAV, likely you would be the single piloting the UAV from a working laptop or laptop.

ec911dude2009-09-29T12:05:37Z

I'm not aware of any "civilians" who operate the Shadow.