A. Your base salary will be determined by several factors: degree held, level of experience in your field, and location assigned. You will receive regular pay while you are on R&R but not for travel expenses to and from Iraq during R&R.
2) Q. When should I expect my W-2 wages and tax form?
A. If you are a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident you will be employed as a contractor and therefore, will receive a 1099-R instead of a W-2 form. If you are not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident you will receive a summary or your consulting fees (similar to a 1099-R) for the calendar year. The 1099-R or summary will be sent to whatever address you request. You should understand that all taxes are the responsibility of the contractor, not OSS. For more information go to: www.irs.gov Once there, read Pub 54. This publication will help you understand your tax requirements, exclusions, and deductions, if any, while you are working in a foreign country.
3) Q. Who will be responsible for my security in Iraq?
A. MNF-I military personnel will be providing security. These people and DoS security specialists will keep you informed of any threats in your particular area and take appropriate measures, if necessary.
4) Q. What will my job requirements be as a BBA?
A. As your agreement states, you will primarily be working as an advisor and subject matter expert in your field. Of course, your position may require you to also function as a consultant, liaison, and/or mediator. All of these require a great deal of professionalism, maturity, and diplomacy and are inherent qualities in our BBA’s. More detailed information on your job will be given to you by the in-country OSS team when you arrive in Baghdad.
5) Q. Does OSS provide health and/or life insurance for my family or me?
Yes. Each person employed by OSS or other companies contracted by the Department of Defense is required by federal law to be covered for disability or death under the Defense Base Act. For more information on the DBA go to http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/dlhwc/dba.htm.
Health Insurance: The company offers an expatriate health insurance program for the individual BBA only. Family members are not covered under this health insurance plan. The BBA may elect to accept or decline this additional health insurance.
Life Insurance: No
6) Q. How will I be treated for medical and/or dental problems that occur while I am in Iraq?
A. You will be provided medical and dental care at the nearest U.S. military Combat Surgical Hospital (CSH). If your condition is serious enough, you will be flown to a fully operational U.S. military hospital in Germany and treated there.
7) Q. Will my place of work be in Baghdad or some other city in Iraq?
A. Depending on your field of expertise and the needs of the program, you could be assigned to any area/province in Iraq.
8) Q. If I am a Kurd will I be working in Kurdistan (northern Iraq)?
A. Not necessarily. OSS will take regional affiliation into account, but all of our positions are based on the needs and requirements of the U.S. Government. OSS cannot create positions based on regional affiliation.
9) Q. Can I take my family with me?
A. No. Per Department of Defense regulations, no family members can accompany you to Iraq.
10) Q. Will I be able to meet with relatives and friends in Iraq while I am there?
A. No. Due to the importance of your mission and the current hostile conditions which exist in Iraq at this time, physical contact with relatives and friends who currently reside in Iraq is not allowed. This is not only for your safety but the safety of your family, friends, and the program itself.
11) Q. How long is my obligation (Contract)? R&R?
A. Your obligation is normally a year. This one-year period includes two 2-week R&R vacations, one scheduled at the end of each 6-month period.
12) Q. What if I have an emergency at home and need to leave Iraq?
A. The in-country OSS team will assist you in returning home as expeditiously as possible but you must pay for all travel expenses. Also, advance leave is not authorized. However, you can use accrued R&R days to offset time lost due to an emergency.
13) Q. Where will I live and eat?
A. You will be briefed on this by the in-country OSS team when you arrive in Baghdad. You will live and eat in the same facilities the soldiers use.
14) Q. Will I be able to purchase necessities and comfort items where I am assigned?
A. Yes. There should be a Post Exchange (PX) near your location. The variety and quantity of what the PX carries is based upon the number of personnel it supports so you may not be able to get everything you have access to in the U.S. However, services are rapidly improving and more products are becoming available on a monthly basis.
15) Q. Can I take my vacation whenever I want?
A. No. You must take your R&R/vacation time after each 6-month period. Exceptions to this policy would be family or medical emergencies.
16) Q. How many hours will I be working a day?
A. This will depend on the requirements of the mission and the team you work with. Typically we work 7 days per week, 10-12 hours per day.
17) Q. Who will pay for my official transportation to and from Iraq?
A. OSS. Transportation is via Kuwait only.
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