There are many reasons that people indulge in alcohol, drugs, and other questionable, perhaps dangerous, and dubious activities. For me, drinking took on many aspects. Since I quit contracting overseas, my drinking soard to new heights (think two plus liters of alcohol within a five to seven day period of time -- sometimes, two to three days). There were times that I would consume half of a two point seven liter bottle of alcohol in one sitting. Other times, it would be spread out over the course of a day's time. I have it under control now. I hold no illusions about quitting drinking. I presume I will drink again. Hopefully, I won't. But, I probably will.

As of the time of this writing, I have been dry and sober for just over a week (more than seven days). That is remarkable considering I can recall nary a day since the Summer of 2014 that I did not drink -- and not just a little.

My reasons for drinking were many. The one aspect that has come full tilt since quitting is the noticable recurrence of little to great physical pains I would previously quickly subdue with shots of alcohol. And I don't mean your standard shot. No. The shot glassws I drank from contained two to three times the standard shot. I always said, okay, just two or three to reduce the stress, relieve the pain, relax, then move on. Yeah, right. Like the old potato chip slogan, I could not stop with just one...or two...or three.

In spite of the physical pains I "endure" daily as a result of not drinking, I am liking, mostly, not drinking. My overall health has increased. My overall physical fitness level has increased noticably. My weight and waist line have decreased, almost substantially.

It is not easy facing all of one's pains and nuerosis' without the aid of drugs and alcohol but it is worth it. I tell myself, daily, that if I was able to find the inner strength to do all I have over the course of my life thus far, surely I can find the inner strength to complete this task of staying dry and sober. Time will tell.

For those of you who have your own inner ghosts and demons, know that you will never get past them until you put away all of your "crutches", acknowledge and admit your short-comings, stand tall and [mostly] fearless, and courageously act on your own without the aid of outside influences. Godspeed.

If you are an expat, working overseas, or you are considering such a move, you owe it to yourself to seek professional tax advice and consultation. If you are not familiar with the exlusoinary rule, and the tax laws pertaining to Americans working OCONUS then you are ripe getting schwacked with, potentially, huge tax assessments.

So, where do you go? Where do you start? How do you get the help you need? You can start by conducting an in-depth research into the tax laws yourself by visiting the official United States IRS website at [ https://www.irs.gov/ ]. Beyond that, there are numerous resources you can turn to. A few of them include United States military veterans whose new profession is in the tax and accounting industries. One of those is Christopher Krolik of the Krolik Pacific Group. He can be found at Facebook and LinkedIn. He can be reached directly at: (702) 964-1548.

Another good starting source DZJ, or Danger Zone Jobs [ https://dangerzonejobs.com/ ]

Again, while not an exhaustive listing, certainly these are good places to start your search into your tax preparation as an American expat working overseas/

There are a lot of good sources for such information. One excellent source that's been around for some time, with dozens of thousands of subscribers/followers, is Danger Zone Jobs. Headed by William Beaver, Danger Zone Jobs provides those willing to spend the time to read, and a very small membership fee, the ability to learn what it takes to get a job oversess, where to start, resume grooming, which companies have acquired which contract, et cetera. William Beaver and DZJ have been of beneficial help to me on no fewer than two occassions.

Danger Zone Jobs can be found at: [ https://dangerzonejobs.com/ ].

Most people are of aware of private security contractors. However, probably, most people are not aware that private security contractors often suffer the same or similar injuries and addictions as their military brethren.

For those private security contractors who have suffered physical and or emotional injuries as a result of serving overseas in a combat zone, war zone, hostile region, or a non-permissive environment the injuries, pain and suffering are no less severe than for those wearing Uncle Sam's military uniform.

The road to recovery for these civilian soldiers, or shadow warriors as they are sometimes referred to, can sometimes be longer and more difficult to navigate. Why? Because most often the private security contractor is not entitled to the many forms of federal aid that their military counterparts are. As so it should be, you might say. But should it really be that way?

Most of the American private security contractors are in fact formerly members of the military -- veterans. And, without those private security contractors, Uncle Sam would have an incredibly difficult time doing what it does outside the continental shorelines. Many say the task would be an impossible one. That we would need a standing "army" of millions to affect what we are doing outside our country's borders.

But private security contractors make more money than their military counterparts, and they are not active military members, you say. On both accounts, strictly speaking, you would be correct. In terms of pay, the "average" private security contractor earns more per paycheck. But he/she also receives substantially less overall support, and he/she also costs considerably less to deploy and sustain than a member of the military. In terms of them not being a member of the military...well, again, you would be correct. Except that most of the times they were. And they are typically performing a hazardous duty in very much the same manner, if not the same manner, as a member of the military does or would.

So, what are thsoe differences, you ask? I'm glad you asked. While not assuming to cover all of them, the following lists at least some of them.

• Housing/lodging. Yes, it is typically provided or compensated while deployed but not so at home.
• Medical/Dental/Vision. Yes, sometimes those can be had through the company the individual contracts with but it is typically at a much higher premium, and sometimes does not cover certain injuries and malodies.
• Clothing. Yes, often times the individual contractor is supplied uniform clothing. Often, however, beyond the over-shirt the remainder of the uniform is sub-par and not up to the task.
• Flights/Travel. Yes, typically the travel arrangements come out of the contracting company's pocket. However, the logistics and support, including executive and diplomatic protections, bi-lateral protections and agreements -- including safe harbor and passage -- are often minimal or non-existent for the civilian contractor. In other words, if an American military escort or convoy is attacked the attackers will be shwacked. Not so for the American private security contractor.
• Accommodations. Yes, those have improved overall. And while there are some protections in American law, unless approved vis-a-vis an LOA (Letter of Authorization) and CAC (Common Access Credentials) card the civilian contractor is typically on his/her own.

(To be sure, there are notable exceptions to some or many of the items previously listed).

The American private security contractor typically takes a middle of the road attitude towards many or most of the issues facing him/her. That is, they say such things as "It is what it is," or "This is what I signed up for," or "Embrace the suck." There are other things that are said as well.

Regardless, the American private security contractor fills a vital role. He/she suffers the same or similar injuries. Unlike his active and reserve military counterparts he/she does not receive VA (Veterans Administration) benefits of any kind unless he/she is a retired member of the U.S. military.

As well, he she comes back, whether on rotation or retirement from "the game", without a pension, without medical benefits, and many or all of the same physical and or emotional issues. Yes, that includes such things as divorce, drug and alcohol addiction, inability to reintegrate back into society, and suicide.

And, lest there be any confusion about the matter, private security contractors sometimes die while performing their jobs. In fact, as of this writing, no fewer than 3,000-private security contractors have died since the commencement of the second Gulf War alone.

Isn't it about time we start honoring and supporting those who still serve -- even if not wearing Uncle Sam's military uniform?

The stories, often encapsulated in a nutshell view for Hollywood movies sheds but a vista into what it is like to live and work in war zones, combat zones, and hostile and austere conditions.

While the focus is almost always on the military men and women in uniform there is a back-side, or a B-side or, as some call it, the mirror reflection. That side, or reflection, is the private security contractor who frequently experiences the same or similar sights, sounds, smells, and events but typically with less support and fewer resources.

The real tragedy is when these private security contractors return home to a nation publicly professing their support for the men and women in uniform but deriding the same Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine for their service in their civilian role, referring to them as mercenaries, guns for hire, and cold-blooded killers whose only motivation is money.

These men and women often cannot tell anyone about their experiences anymore than they could when they were in uniform. Why? Aside from their often rock-solid NDAs, considerations for OPSEC and PERSEC, they often carry deep emotional scars that most people cannot identify with. So, similar to their military brethren, they suffer in silence.

What can be done to help the men and women of the private security contracting world? The same things we do to help our uniformed brethren: listen to them, lend a sympathetic hand, love them, console them, help them out, help them up -- be there for them.

In the meantime, if you are curious to know the true stories of war and contracting from the perspective of the private security contractor, tune in to OCONUS: The Contractor's Life -- a podcast series that explores the real-life experiences of the private security contractor from the perspective of the private security contractor.

I had sent numerous text messages and email messages to him since late the previous year (2019) as well as phone calls. All unreturned. I called again yesterday. No answer. His sister called me back minutes later to tell me the news. He died of cancer.

Al was, like so many of us in our profession, a humble man, an honorable man, a man of integrity, and a thorough professional. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

The news of Al's death came as quite a shock to me. He never mentioned anything that indicated that he wasn't on extended leave for anything other than personal reasons -- that he just needed a break.

May Al be granted permission to enter the gates of Heaven and taken into the embracing arms of Jesus for eternity.

I will miss Al.