Sahail AshrafWhat Would You Be Willing to Risk For Money?
July 17th 2007 10:52
Two Australian men have been killed in a bomb attack in Iraq (full story here). They were employed as private contractors by a security firm to help train Iraqi forces.
Both men were well qualified for the job; a former soldier and a former policeman. What’s more, the assignment had attractive prospects, with $US130,000 to $US170,000 as an annual salary. The only catch being, they were in the middle of an increasingly volatile war zone. Weighing up the salary over the risk involved, maybe it seemed worth taking the chance, but at what cost? Both of the Queensland men had families: one with two young children, the other with a three-week-old baby whom he will never meet.
Of course, there’s also the motivating factor of wanting to help a nation in dire need of assistance, but what’s a person’s primary responsibility in life? Is it to your family or to serving the ‘greater good?’ Is looking after your family financially as important as being there for them?
Before having kids my hubby and I engaged in a number of hair raising ‘thank God I survived that’ type activities. Sky diving, and risking life and limb traveling by local bus on the landslide prone cliffs of Nepal, were a couple of things I’m very lucky to have lived through. Back then though it didn’t seem such a big deal. Now my priorities, and that of my husband’s, have changed. Risking my life seems a more selfish endeavour – though our trip to Nepal was primarily to help others, I wouldn’t do it now that I have a young daughter to consider.
Then again, without people like these two men, where would we be? There are people out there putting their lives on the line every day. Sometimes it’s for the pay. Often it’s to serve the community. Obligation is perhaps the key here, and the line on where that obligation is drawn is pretty blurry. What would you be willing to risk, and for what, if there was family to consider?
Both men were well qualified for the job; a former soldier and a former policeman. What’s more, the assignment had attractive prospects, with $US130,000 to $US170,000 as an annual salary. The only catch being, they were in the middle of an increasingly volatile war zone. Weighing up the salary over the risk involved, maybe it seemed worth taking the chance, but at what cost? Both of the Queensland men had families: one with two young children, the other with a three-week-old baby whom he will never meet.
Of course, there’s also the motivating factor of wanting to help a nation in dire need of assistance, but what’s a person’s primary responsibility in life? Is it to your family or to serving the ‘greater good?’ Is looking after your family financially as important as being there for them?
Before having kids my hubby and I engaged in a number of hair raising ‘thank God I survived that’ type activities. Sky diving, and risking life and limb traveling by local bus on the landslide prone cliffs of Nepal, were a couple of things I’m very lucky to have lived through. Back then though it didn’t seem such a big deal. Now my priorities, and that of my husband’s, have changed. Risking my life seems a more selfish endeavour – though our trip to Nepal was primarily to help others, I wouldn’t do it now that I have a young daughter to consider.
Then again, without people like these two men, where would we be? There are people out there putting their lives on the line every day. Sometimes it’s for the pay. Often it’s to serve the community. Obligation is perhaps the key here, and the line on where that obligation is drawn is pretty blurry. What would you be willing to risk, and for what, if there was family to consider?
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Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I don't even have to think about this one ... my children come first every time. My responsibilities also changed as soon as I made the decision to bring another life into this world.
It's not about what I want any more, it's all about them and their needs.
A xx
PS Tell us more about Nepal.
Comment by Candice
Your priorities certainly change once kids come along hey? To me, it seems a natural process rather than a thought out one too!
Hubby and I went over a couple of years ago to do volunteer work with children in orphanages and schools over there. It was only a six week stint during our annual leave time but it sure was an eye opener for us! Might put together a post on it soon - it would be interesting for me to reflect on it now having a child of my own too!
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
A post on your time and experiences over there would be very interesting. I'm looking forward to it.
Comment by Candice
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Maybe this is my cynical self shining through but my first thought was when I heard about this story was even though these men were contractors (not officially part of the armed forces) would their families be looked after?
I suppose the risk is compensated monetarily...I doubt soldiers are being paid $130,000pa but if a soldier dies then his family is eligible for some sort of government assistance?
I also appreciate that we don't have as many people in the defence forces as we like so perhaps this is another reason to contract out positions but still....
Whichever way you look at....it's a wasted life.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Candice
Yes, it's very hard to get people to join the defence forces - look at all the advertising going on ATM to get people to join up!
I doubt too that the families would be compensated because the men were employed as private contractors. Soldiers are definitely not paid anywhere near the amount these men were - something in the $60K range if they're lucky. Not sure what the compensation is for families of the military. Have to check that one with my hubby (he's ex-Navy.)
Very true!
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Although I don`t have any kids I would have a problem with my husband going off to do this type of job. I don`t want to have to tell my children about their daddy the brave war hero whilst they look at him in a photograph.
It must be so difficult for those families and even though they may be compensated financially they still have no father-figure in their lives which will never be compensated for.
It`s a very sad state of affairs. I wonder if it would be any different if it was 'just someone`s son' or 'just someone's brother' ? Waste of live is right!
ash
Comment by Candice
Yes, I really feel for the woman with the three week old baby. I can't imagine going through pregnancy, birth and then caring for a newborn without my hubby being there because of work. It certainly wouldn't be the way I'd like things to be - but different strokes for different folks as they say.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I think these men are so selfish...I'm speechless.
I can't imagine any husband who says he loves his wife and children, abandoning them at such a crucial time in all their lives... to me that is just, plain... not right.
Maybe I'm just old fashioned?
Lilla ...
Comment by Candice
I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're so right. It is a selfish act!
I must be too then!
Thanks for the visit.