Virginia Beach Company Trains Contractors For Jobs in Iraq

Along with the thousands of military men and woman fighting in Iraq, hundreds of contractors are also in the war zone. One Virginia Beach company prepares these civilians for the dangers they'll face.

The company, called Special Tactical Services, does not send contractors to Iraq. It fills the training gap - getting male and female contractors ready to go to a hostile environment and provide the security required. It also gives them the skills to survive.

"We are a company that provides expertise in tactical training," says Al Clark of Special Tactical Services.

The training involves weapons - anything from pistols to .50-caliber machine guns - and honing those skills on a target range.

"A guy could ride a helicopter for six hours to get to the target," says Clark, "but if he gets to the target and can't hit it, he has wasted everybody's time."

Besides target practice, Clark says learning how to drive while under attack is a must.

"In the second day of training, we cover most of the tactical maneuvers that will hopefully get you out of a bad situation," he says.

Clark trains men and woman with prior military or law enforcement experience, getting them ready to go overseas with a contracting group.

But who would do this? Voluntarily go to war?

Clark says most of the people he trains have 15 to 20 years of military experience. This is what they know, he says. His company just tweaks their skills.

"They are still Americans," says Clark. "They know there is a cause over there. I think patriotism is a big part. I don't think they are just going there for a bigger paycheck."

From: http://www.wavy.com/global/story.asp?s=1789617&ClientType=Printable