Force for Hire: Soldier turned contractor talks Blackwater training, Iraq mission

FORCE FOR HIRE — From Grunt to Blackwater, we’re shifting our focus from the broad politics of private military contracting to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective. Joining us is Adam Gonzales, a man who has experienced life as both a traditional soldier and a high-stakes private operator.

The Journey to Iraq

In 2003, Gonzales was an Army infantryman serving in a long-range surveillance detachment. Seeking a new path, he took a gamble on a security role with a firm that—at the time—few had heard of: Blackwater.

His transition wasn't easy. At a training facility in North Carolina, the former Army grunt found himself competing for a spot against the elite:

• SEALs (including DevGru)
• Army Rangers
• Force Recon Marines

High Stakes and High Pay

The reward for making the cut was a $15,000 monthly salary, but the mission was one of the most dangerous in the world. Gonzales was tasked with the personal protection of Ambassador Paul Bremer, the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority and the controversial figure who disbanded the Iraqi Army.