Claim OwnershipOCONUS: The Contractor's Life
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© 2025 Scott Dressor
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A no-axe to grind, no agenda look into the life of private security contractors working OCONUS. Listen as those who have been there talk about their real-life experiences in hostile, austere, and war-torn areas as a private security contractor. Listen as we discuss what we did, how we did it, where we did it, what we saw, heard, and smelled. Tune in as we discuss our experiences as private security contractors working OCONUS from the perspectives of private security contractors.
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I would like to kick-off this final episode for this season of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life by saying thank you to everyone who listens to this podcast for continuing to listen, and to those entities which help to support this podcast by lending their support. Next season will include more of my experiences as a private security contractor overseas, as well as some more of my experiences as a private security contractor Stateside, and additional guests.
So, then, until the next season, I wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving, a merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year. And, remember, folks: it takes a team; the grass is not always greener on the other side; be careful what you wish for...you might just get it. Stay humble, stay safe, and keep others safe, by being aware and staying frosty. Until next time, keep it real!
In this episode, I cover down, in a brief format, on the compilation of my seven years contracting overseas in four seasons -- acknowledging that, yes, in hindsight, I could have relatively easily stretched it out such that there was a clear season for each of the years contracting. I also, briefly, reference each of those years with the various companies on the various contracts and projects, promising that in the next season, season-5, next year (2025), to go back and do just that. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this episode, episode-29 of the fourth season of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life. Thank you for tuning in. And, if you like what you're hearing, pass it along to those you know.
In this episode, I deviate from my story telling of some of the private security projects I was a part of in the States. I'll back to those at some point. In the meantime, I talk about what happens, physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically when we return home for the final time and the dopamine and the adrenaline wear off? What happens when we recognize that we are not going back and now have to deal with different, sometimes completely different, issues?
In this episode, I pick up, more or less, where I left off in the previous episode. In this episode I talk about, mostly, my experiences working on the Japanese Consulate project in Seattle, Washington. I also talk about, to some extent, again, about the failures of the standard private security model in the U-S -- as I see it.
I want to begin this episode by saying that I hope you enjoyed my previous episode with my special guest, Heath Hansen, as we talked about some of his experiences as a journalist, writing for Soldier of Fortune magazine, while along the Southern Border of the U.S.A. and Mexico. That said, in this episode, I pick up, more or less, where I left off in the previous episodes. I continue talking about some of my private security project experiences in the United States. I talk about the reality of security, and the failed experiments of the standard private security model and the standard security mentality.
In this episode, I talk again with Heath Hansen -- former member of airborne infantry in the U-S Army, former LEO, private security contractor, and author/writer for Soldier of Fortune Magazine -- regarding his continued experiences covering down on the real goings on along the U-S/Mexico border, AKA: The Southern border. Heath Hansen has published at least thirty articles on the subject. His articles are available for reading at the SOF Magazine website at [ https://sofmag.com ]. What is going on down there for almost four years now might just surprise you -- especially to learn just how dire it really is. Special Guest: Heath Hansen.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode as I put a few finishing touches on the LCR/Three Dams project before discussing on a cursory level some of the many private security projects I have been a part of in the United States since and before.
In this episode, I essentially put a wrap on my seven years as a PSC overseas, transitioning, for now, to some of my experiences as a PSC in the States. I will spend the next three to five episodes, maybe more, in this season talking mostly about some of my experiences as a PSC here in the States. I begin this episode talking a little bit about a project that I was tapped for to spend three days on a site visit for a federal contract along the borders of Washington and Oregon that a guy I know was bidding on.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode -- mostly (I hope you enjoyed the previous episode with my guest Heath Hansen). In this episode, I pick up from there and continue my discussion on my experiences as camp site security manager for a base in North/Northwest Afghanistan.
In this episode, I talk with Heath Hansen, former member of airborne infantry in the U.S. Army. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Heath is a former police officer. He is currently a private security contractor in California and Texas, as well as writer for Soldier of Fortune magazine. We spend time discussing a great number of topics, including, to some extent, what is really going on along the southern border of the U.S. and Mexico, and some of the results of failed policies. Special Guest: Heath Hansen.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode as I continue my discussions of my experiences as a private security contractor overseas while working for the company Blue Hackle in the country of Afghanistan, on this particular mission, in the role of acting camp site security manager.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, as I continue talking about my then current experiences as the acting camp site security manager at a special base North/Northwest of Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, talking about my experiences as a private security contractor for the company Blue Hackle. At this point, I am the acting site security manager for a special camp on a base north/northwest of Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, continuing my discussion of my time and experience as the acting camp site security manager on a special base north/northwest of Kabul in the country of Afghanistan.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, talking about my time and experiences as a camp site security manager for Blue Hackle at a military installation north/northwest of Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this episode, I put a wrap on the physical security project I was doing as my last assignment at the Bagram Air Base prior to transitioning to a camp site security manager's position at a special base two to three hours northly of Bagram.
In this episode, I continue where I left off in the previous episode as I continue my discussion on my experiences with the PSC Blue Hackle while in afghanistan.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, correcting a few imbalances, talking briefly about my new job and role, the promise to come, and the utter surprise from those remaining on the ground that I was back.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode. I briefly recap my departure from Bagram Air Base for a rotation home, my return, and the continuation of unprofessional conduct until the arrival of our third site security manager.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode as I continue my discussion with the three failed site security managers we had while on project for Blue Hackle in the Bagram area of Afghanistan.
In this episode, I resume where I left off in the previous episode as I continue the discussion of my experiences with the company Blue Hackle in the country of Afghanistan and, to some extent, of the failures of leadership and the struggles and challenges, and the tempers that occur when you are operating in a hostile region.
In this episode, I continue my discussion on the first of three security projects I was a part of with Blue Hackle in the Bagram and Kabul areas of operation. On the first project in Bagram, I pick up roughly week four. This is about the time when things started to show signs of cracks and break-downs, as well as the severe lack of leadership.
In this episode, I continue my discussion on my experiences with the private security contracting company Blue Hackle while working, again, in Afghanistan. In this episode I pick eup where I left off in the previous episode, somewhere between week two and week four of the project. I also speak to some leadership aspects and the failings of and how they can affect the outcome of a project or a mission.
In this episode, I continue my talk of my experiences as a PSC in Afghanistan while working in the Bagram area at the Bagram air base for the company Blue Hackle.
In this episode of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life I talk with return guest Greg "Doc" Hesch, a veteran of the United States Air Force, a paramedic, private security contractor, and project consultant. Special Guest: Greg Hesch.
In this episode, I talk with Damien Keenan, a veteran of the USMC and PSC. We had a great exchange on his experiences as a Marine, a cop, and as a contractor overseas -- along with the life lessons he's learned as a result. Special Guest: Damien Keenan.
In this episode of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, continuing my talk about my experiences as a PSC/PMC, back in Afghanistan working with Blue Hackle.
In this episode, I conclude my time with the WPS training regimen and transition into my next contract assignment in Afghanistan with the PSC company Blue Hackle. I spent nearly three years with Blue Hackle -- the same amount of time I spent my last years in Afghanistan. Which means that this will likely spill over into the next season.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, I almost complete this diversion of my next assignments to Afghanistan by almost concluding the WPS training program in New Mexico that I attended.
In this episode of season-4 of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life, I pick up where I left off in season-3's final episode at approximately week-3 of the WPS instruction and training program for the State Department.
Welcome everybody to the 14th episode in the 3rd season of OCONUS: The Contractor's Life. In this episode, I pick up where I left off in episode-13.
This is the final episode for this season as OCONUS: The Contractor's Life will be taking its usual seasonal break for the remainder of this year, resuming sometime next year, on or about the month of February in 2024.
That said, OCONUS: The Contractor's Life wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving, a very merry Christmas, and, hopefully, a very happy upcoming New Year. Remember, folks, it takes a team; the grass is not always greener on the other side; be careful what you wish for because you might just get it. Stay frosty. And, until next time, keep it real.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episode, continuing my experiences in the WPS program prior to heading back overseas.
In this episode, I pick up where I left off in the previous episdode as I continue my adventure on the WPS training program with the company Aegis.
In this episode, I skip going back to Iraq -- been there, done that. I will go back to Iraq, along with other areas, in a compilation series that will comprise all the topics and subjects that I either skipped, forgot to mention, or otherwise left out. For now, I'm back to Afghanistan, on another project for another company but only after taking a detour through the State of New Mexico for seven weeks of instruction and training in the run-up for the WPS program.
In this episode, I finally get back to Iraq. I discuss, briefly, in this episode, my initial introduction to the new company, Torres, and its culture after having left the Jalalabad region of Afghanistan with the company EODT.
In this episode, I put a wrap on my time in the Country of Afghanistan for now as I transition to my time, again, in the Country of Iraq. I conclude with some talks of what it takes to be a private security contractor OCONUS.
In this episode, I continue my discussions/recollections of my time as a private security contractor in the area of the Nangurhar Province/Jalalabad region of Afghanistan.
In this episode, I pick up, more or less, where I left off in episode five of season three as I talk more of some of my experiences while working in the Jalalabad region of Afghanistan while with EODT. I also talk, to some extent, about some of my experiences working CONUS.
In this episode, I return to where I left off, more or less, in Season-2, discussing some of my time and experiences while working in Afghanistan as a private security contractor.
In this episode, I talk more of the benefits of physical conditioning, the mind, body, spirit synergy, embracing the pain, as well as some of the considerations one should look to when deciding who to select for your bodyguard and or security team.
In this episode, I clarify what was, apparently, a confusing statement in the previous episode before waxing long on one of the keys in the PSC industry -- physical fitness.
In this episode, I recap the thread I ended on near the end of Season-2, expounding on a few topics, with a promise to pick up where I left off and continue the march forward in a coherent thread.
In this episode, I talk, briefly, about what contractors do in their down-time, and how we are different but not so much so on a humanitarian level. From our past-times and hobbies to our passions for freedom and individual liberties.
Douglas Hardman is a former member of the U.S. Army, and a private security contractor. While in the Army, he deployed to Eastern Europe. Since then, he has worked stateside on various private security projects. Douglas is currently employed by a a well known executive protection company. He is also chasing down another college degree. Ultimately, unless another war kicks off, requiring private security contractors, Douglas is eyeing the WPS program with the State Department. Special Guest: Douglas Hardman.
In this episode, I talk with Ken Gouchi, former U.S. Army and host of Wienerfied dot com, and David Maestas, retired U.S. Army, and founder of Discover Maestro.
This episode also prefaces upcoming changes and or new items as I and the two men who contributed to this episode have agreed to start another podcast, arguably more likely a videocast, that will be available across numerous platforms. I hope you enjoy it. Special Guests: Dave Maestas and Ken Gouchi.
In this episode, I take an unceremonious departure from Afghanistan, going back to Iraq. I will be going back to Afghanistan in order to revisit and complete the segment for that portion of my time in Afghanistan prior to going back to Iraq. And, then, back to Afghanistan for the final two years or so that I spent there prior to calling it quits.
Once that is completed, I fully intend to jump around the map, so to speak, in order to cover down on subjects obliquely referenced, and talking about subjects as they come to mind, as well as talking with guests and contributors.
This podcast has been, and likely always will be, a work in progress. I appreciate your patronage.
OCONUS: The Contractor's Life is now a seasonal and mostly weekly podcast that explores the often murky and sometimes shadowy world of the private security contractor. Private security contractors exist in nearly every nation. They work on land, on the sea, and in the air. The duties they perform are almost limitless. At times, skewing the traditional divisions between military and civilian.
During the first season, OCONUS: The Contractor's Life interviews and discusses with other private security contractors, showcasing their unique perspective and experiences. In this, the second season, while there will be some of that, the focus is on the experiences of the host of the podcast.
So, what is it really like to be a private security contractor -- especially outside your home country? Tune in to OCONUS: The Contractor's Life to find out. Special Guest: Dave Maestas.
OCONUS: The Contractor's Life is now a seasonal and mostly weekly podcast that explores the often murky and sometimes shadowy world of the private security contractor. Private security contractors exist in nearly every nation. They work on land, on the sea, and in the air. The duties they perform are almost limitless. At times, skewing the traditional divisions between military and civilian.
During the first season, OCONUS: The Contractor's Life interviews and discusses with other private security contractors, showcasing their unique perspective and experiences. In this, the second season, while there will be some of that, the focus is on the experiences of the host of the podcast.
So, what is it really like to be a private security contractor -- especially outside your home country? Tune in to OCONUS: The Contractor's Life to find out.
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