CONTRACTOR LIFE: The story of a retired Marine turned contractor, 8 years in Afghanistan
As the longest war in American history is ended, a variety of unique stories have bubbled to the surface. One belongs to Tim Lynch, a retired U.S. Marine who lived and worked in Afghanistan for approximately eight years as a civilian. In a war-torn country, Lynch worked many different jobs, from security contractor to aid worker. With a strong military foundation, he developed a unique perspective on the Afghan people that many never have the privilege of seeing — even those who have spent years at war there.
Lynch joined the U.S. Navy in April 1979, and intended to go to BUD/S (the selection course for Navy SEALs) but found out that he is color blind and unable to pass a dive physical. The remainder of his enlistment was spent serving as a lab tech. Upon leaving the Navy, Lynch completed his degree and dove straight into the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Course. He became an infantry officer and served 14 years as a Marine.
In the lastest Force for Hire interview, Lynch explains how he saw his former brothers-in-arms deploy after 9/11 and watched them put into practice the combat training he had spent his life perfecting... and wanted in.
He reportedly sent his resume to every private military contracting company he could find and within days had a job offer. What followed was a long career spent deploying to some of the most hotly contested war zones in the Middle East as a security contractor. Listen to the interview above.