Civilian defense contractors working overseas face undeniable risks, but the rewards often outweigh the dangers. Many professionals in this field earn between $80K and $300+ annually, with additional perks such as covered living expenses and hostile duty pay. The industry has grown dramatically in recent years — in the last fiscal cycle alone, the U.S. Department of Defense spent nearly $316 billion on overseas contracts.

If you're planning to work overseas in a role tied to national security, chances are you’ll need a security clearance. Whether you're a contractor, consultant, or transitioning service member, understanding this process can open doors—and boost your earning potential.

American citizens are working in nearly every corner of the globe—but some of the most lucrative and impactful jobs exist in high-risk, overseas environments. These roles aren’t just for military veterans. Today’s civilian contractors include nurses, engineers, IT professionals, linguists, and project managers.

If you’ve ever considered working abroad and want to make serious money while contributing to critical missions, this career path may be for you.

(POC) — Bahrain used to be a local and national military base run and operated by the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy is the equivalent of the United States Navy, but in the United Kingdom. Since Bahrain has just recently achieved its independence, it was previously run by the United Kingdom. Therefore, the United States of America gain control through a peaceful contract in 1971. A similar military formation has been created in Bahrain too, more than a decade ago. However, the United States of America have managed to retain control over this military base.

(POC) — Obtaining a security clearance depends on their mission and role in national security, many federal agencies require security clearances. Only federal agencies can grant security clearances. Examples of agencies that may require higher levels of clearance include:

The United States Government employs thousands of individual private and defense contractors every year to work overseas. The Department of Defense, State Department, USAID, and various military branches employ these companies to contract with and employ thousands of people as construction, security personnel, IT specialists, logistics, administrators, food service, doctors, accountants, etc.

United States Forces Korea (USFK) is a sub-unified command of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM). USFK is the joint headquarters through which U.S. combat forces would be sent to South Korea/US (ROK/U.S.) Combined Forces Command’s (CFC) fighting components – are the combined ground, air, naval, marine, and special operations forces component commands.

Private military contractors are private companies that provide the same services as a private military, but instead of being employed by a government or state, they work for private organizations. The private organization hires them to protect their employees and assets while providing security in high-risk areas. They can be hired by anyone from an individual to a corporation, non-governmental organization (NGO), or multinational company.

Before private military contractors and other overseas workers confront the Iraq War, they must first emerge victorious in the Paperwork War.

After they receive provisional employment offers, which probably means they have already provided a considerable amount of background materials to their prospective employers, candidates must normally complete the Office of Personnel Management’s

When applying for work abroad, make sure that you customize your resume to the given job, ensuring specific skills and regional experiences are addressed properly. The recruiter may not see the link between your attributes and their job, so provide connections in the resume. Including a personal statement to galvanize any important points will also be beneficial.

First impressions are very important, especially when looking at work abroad. Overseas recruiters will use this document as a

The U.S. Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) is an instrumented laboratory that performs integrated three-dimensional hydrospace/ aerospace trajectory measurements covering the entire spectrum of undersea simulated warfare: calibration, classifications, detection, and destruction. Its vital mission is to assist in establishing and maintaining the naval ability of the United States through testing, evaluation, and underwater research.

As soon as you decide to move abroad, you’ll need to start building up your knowledge base – both about your destination country and about what to expect when immersing yourself in a new culture. This section provides tips on pre-departure preparation, culture shock, and specific practical concerns.

Overseas contracting jobs bring a lot of excitement and experience to one’s career. You are working in a foreign country, with the military, on projects that could make a difference in the world.

For many, becoming an overseas civilian contractor is the next logical step as retired military. For others, it is the lure of adventure, high pay that overseas jobs provide, and a desire to help our country that convinces them to go. And still, for many others, it is the desire to help make a difference in the world through contracting for public works or foreign assistance.