For people who have worked in private security, what would you tell someone who eventually wants to run a company? The interesting part to me is everything around the job: client expectations, staffing, insurance, scheduling and supervision. Which part takes newcomers by surprise?

AP reported in January that Iraqi forces took full control of Ain al-Asad after the US withdrawal. That is a familiar name for plenty of people who have worked in Iraq. What do you think a base handover changes for the wider contracting scene?

https://apnews.com/article/3da685f80b49fe2c33a430958e36f771

AP reported last year that Wagner was leaving Mali while Russia’s Africa Corps would remain. Worth a read for anyone who follows the international PMC scene. A company name changing is one thing; understanding who is actually running an operation is another.

https://apnews.com/article/b29349be737cbc14dfc435b3536711eb

Defense News reports on smaller companies reshaping the Pentagon's drone industry. The hardware gets the headlines, but it made me think about the people needed for testing, maintenance, documentation and training. For members with technical backgrounds, which support skills would you put first on a development plan?

https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/07/21/how-startups-are-reshaping-the-pentagons-drone-industry/

If you are applying for an overseas security position, make it easy to see how you meet the requirements. Years in service alone do not explain your close-protection, guard, medical or communications experience. What resume mistake do you see most often?

Related reading here on making your qualifications and professional reputation clear. What belongs at the top of a security resume?

https://www.your-poc.com/the-real-reason-networking-matters-in-overseas-contracting/

When you review a resume from someone with a military background, what makes you keep reading? Clear examples, measurable results, relevant qualifications, or a short summary that explains the fit? I would like to hear which change makes the biggest difference without turning the resume into a wall of text.

Reading back through The National’s report on American security contractors at Gaza checkpoints. It is a very different assignment from a familiar base-security contract. When an overseas role is unusual, what questions would you want answered before accepting it?

https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/02/10/us-security-contractors-in-gaza-what-we-know-so-far/

For anyone researching the private security industry, the Montreux Document is useful background on the responsibilities and good practices surrounding private military and security companies. It is not a hiring guide or a promise of work. What other resources helped you understand the professional side of the industry?

https://www.icrc.org/en/publication/0996-montreux-document-private-military-and-security-companies

Any K9 handlers here? For someone considering an overseas security contract, what should they ask about the job before accepting it? Interested in the practical day-to-day side rather than another impressive job title.

An older story from Constellis about bringing working dogs home from an Iraq contract. The care and logistics side of K9 work deserves attention too.

https://constellis.com/k9-homecoming/

Boot question for the overseas security crowd. What matters more to you on a long shift: lighter weight or tougher construction? A boot can look great on the website and still be miserable after a week on concrete.