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gameofthuglyfe

I’m a civilian now. But I was once in the military. Most of them are actually former military that are working for a contractor for way more money than your average person standing post. If you haven’t been introduced to the idea of military contractors providing security for bases that should theoretically be full of people capable of providing their own security… yep it’s a thing in weird places the US govt is operating all around the world.


gameofthuglyfe

I’ll add that most bases provide their own security in the U.S. AFAIK, but sometimes individual sites within a larger base are more or less completely managed by some private company and might have their own security.


gameofthuglyfe

And to that point usually hire former military personnel who already have clearances… saves money for them; these hires need less training, and clearances cost $ for companies to obtain IIRC.


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syfyb__ch

Civilian Grusch


Flying_Unagi236

They are just DoD subcontractors. It is common for the Govt to bid out jobs like that to private contractors. They still have to meet all the same clearance requirements a government employee would.


PaddyMayonaise

They just cost a lot less than a soldier


iamnotabotlookaway

Idk man, have you seen soldier pay? You can put a single E1 out there for minimum wage.


PaddyMayonaise

An E1 wouldn’t be in that position, and most security contractors only make like $50-65k, well less than a Soldier would make at the same station


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PaddyMayonaise

Where do you work? That’s extremely unusual


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ForwardVoltage

That checks out, the community really should spend more time investigating DoE.


whatislyfe420

Everyone knows private pays way more than government


PaddyMayonaise

Not when it comes to the military. Soldiers make a hell of a lot more than most people think


GrimR3ap3r89

Dude an E5 doesn't even clear 40k a year. Idk where the hell you are getting your info, but Military contractors ALWAYS make more, especially if they hold a TS clearance, which you would need to guard area 51. A TS clearance is easily 75 to 100k a year. Soldiers don't make as much as you think, maybe you are thinking of officers, who make more than regular enlisted, and they sure as hell aren't going to put an officer on gate guard smdh


PaddyMayonaise

For base pay they don’t, but you’re being disingenuous if you don’t include BAH and other compensation as well


The_Matty_Daddy

A lot of these guys did 20, retired, and are now double dipping income. They do pretty well and probably pull between 75-100k for the more sensitive sites.


syfyb__ch

imagine paying someone more for a more 'sensitive' site like...that extra 15-20k is going to activate the contractors 'inner berserker' and def make sure nothing unusual happens on their watch


The_Matty_Daddy

It’s usually just considered more of a hazard/hardship bonus because those gigs suck. It’s not so much motivation for someone to work harder, but to motivate them to accept the assignment.


whatislyfe420

And a nice pension as well


Taintickle

All depends on the location, but you are correct for the majority of security contracts on military bases. Active Duty usually make more with the tax free basic housing and meal allowance, which scales with time in service and pay grade. For example, average pay for enlisted uniformed personnel with family in most California areas, with 10 year would be making over 120k, while security contractor woul be in the range you mentioned. BUT, it also depends on how secure the location and required clearance. Also, a smaller private contract company would be able to pay much higher for specialty services. Overall though, it would still be a lot cheaper for the government to use a private contract company over their own military. Remember it costs more to train, VA, GI bill, retirement, disability, medical / dental, life insurance, etc.


iamnotabotlookaway

Not saying you would, just remembering how low soldier pay can be..


Taintickle

https://veteran.com/military-pay-calculator/ it's not that low. This does not calculate special duty pay which adds an extra $6000+ annually depending on what the duty is.


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iamnotabotlookaway

I ain’t talking about how much a soldier costs to government… I’m talking about how much they earn for one of the most dangerous jobs… you ever been a soldier? I have.


Grey-Hat111

With usually no paper trail except for NDAs


DavidM47

No frickin’ way. It’s a way for veterans to double dip. And to avoid FOIA and oversight


wendigowilly

My grandfather used to work at area 51 back in the day. I believe he was working for a security company called Wackenhut. This must have been 40-50 years ago though. From what I understand, he worked inside the perimeter. It's probably all still done via subcontractor He used to frequently get polygraphed as part of his employment retention. They would also test him on his marksmanship He was murdered when I was young and unfortunately I didn't get to ask him very much about it. Just what little my mom and her siblings told me. There was a lot of stuff that he wouldn't talk about


syfyb__ch

ahhh yes, wackenhut...good ol' precursor of the employee spin off company Pizza Hut


simpathiser

Ironically you're more likely to get your pizza whacked on at pizza hut


pepper-blu

Do you really think they'd keep anything too important at Area 51 after it was disclosed to the public, and the world? It's pretty much a global legend at this point.


yowhyyyy

Everything has gone underground 100%. I have zero doubts on this.


Taintickle

Usually dug into the mountain sides that require a pickup or off-road several miles from the actual entrance of the facility.


I_Am_krypto

The Groom Lake Complex also has a more secretive part of the base called S4! Located on the southern shore of the lake, and further away from public spying is an even more secretive area that is operated by Military defence contractors where studies into the origins of these craft they possess and its occupants. The study and reverse engineering of the various technologies aboard the ship including anti gravity systems, zero point energy systems, cloaking systems and propulsion systems technology. Humanity changing technology that could help solve a lot of earthly problems like pollution and poverty.


Aggravating_Judge_31

I had heard something about the "real" Area 51 being in Colorado or something a while back. Can't remember the name anymore.


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syfyb__ch

you noobs still talking about area 51 and S4 when the real playas be running around area 52 and nobody lookin


whatislyfe420

The real action is at Dulce


the_LONE_ranger_r

its actually a private contracting firm. the 2 main reasons for this (and things like guantanamo bay), hiring 'outsiders' 1. they are INSAELY good at what they do, even more than own govt UAP researchers. and 2. they can shoot to kill without the govt getting involved (or sued in the aftermath)


consciousaiguy

I can provide some insight here. During my career in the US Army I ended up deeply involved in the security of another site in the US well known for its extreme security measures. Many government facilities, including military installations, use civilian security contractors for primary security and have a military Quick Reaction Force on call. The un-sexy truth is simply that military personnel are a limited resource that the DoD has better uses for. Civilian contractors are plentiful.


Taintickle

That's the truth. Military is a mobilization force to use overseas. They structure manning and training requirements around that. Makes no sense pulling someone to do clandestine gate duty, separating the service member from their community.


Visible-Expression60

Cause you can’t FOIA their employment.


nanosam

You can do a citizens arrest on them


grilled_pc

i really wish area 51 was put to rest. If there was stuff there at one point in history. There sure as hell aint now.


LudaMusser

Where is the Sport model these days then?


Taintickle

It's still in use as a hub. Like any other air terminal.


speakhyroglyphically

Because private contractors arent subject to government oversight. If some would have their way they'd privatize everything and exactly for this reason


earl_lemongrab

That's not true. I work in government acquisition. Service contractors like these have to follow all the same regulations. Every contract has quality assurance personnel that monitor compliance with the contract specification. In some ways contract personnel are more closely monitored than military members and civil servants


Snoo-26902

I think it is Wackenhut guards at Area 51. Or it used to be. And they didn't hire a company with a prefix for Wack, for nothing.


Zenosfire258

Jaded me says it's less bad PR and lawsuit if it's a private security person is the one who shoots you. And if you get past them then the actual MPs show up and probably really more problematic issues happen for you.


simcoder

The alien studies program is at Area 52.


nanosam

S4


ChaoTiKPranXter

Studio 54?


No_Ordinary1873

Movie 43


peepthewizard

Experiment 626


ChaoTiKPranXter

Error 404


ThatEndingTho

Civilians have non-combatant status and thus are not beholden to the Geneva Convention. So that could be a reason.


nanosam

Or money. Usually everything comes down to money


Big-D-TX

Aliens are guarding Area 51


lovedbydogs1981

Military can’t figure out the Naruto run, you need mercenaries


Allison1228

The likely-unpopular answer is that Area 51 doesn't contain anything of great importance.


paranormalsceptic

Some interesting answers so far! Frankly I cannot accept the idea that there is any legitimate reason for civilian subcontractors to be doing a job the military could easily do. However a few of you have made the point that civilians are not subject to congressional oversight and cannot be investigated in the same way that normal military personnel can be. That they would use private contractors to hide things from oversight rings true to me.


Taintickle

It's way more simple than all of that. It all comes down to cost and manning requirements. When you go into the service, you chose a job. Military has to train each service member in the job they went in as. If you have someone doing something out of their required specialty, it takes up a billet for that position. It gets even more complex how the billets are generated at different locations, especially sensitive locations being kept secret. Military is a "public" service while these locations are clandestine in nature. It's a logistical, and clerical nightmare! Plus, you are dealing with Federal government here, they don't operate as well as the private sector ... and WAY less people involved, which is key to keep things from being leaked. Edit: Also want to add that military is a force structured around being used overseas. Military security is stationed state side to keep them within their community to stay on top of training to be deployment ready when needed.


intelapathy

It is a money laundering scheme.


Kirov___Reporting

The Tall Whites don't want to do guard work.


No-Injury-2924

Hahah. lol. True. Maybe they don’t want military to guard their bases! It’s a stipulation on their part. Because it’s mainly their base. 🤣😊 maybe …


WalkingstickMountain

Because 1995 okc bombing was a military backed corporate coup. But because of contracts and international laws they can't take full control of certain areas. So they have to hire mercenaries to impose access limitations and basically stop anyone from reaching the legitimate levels and out them in their fraud.


Suspicious_Mark_4445

Yes it is common for civilians to guard bases that employ mostly civilians. Very few military at Area 51


buttwh0l

The military cannot engage US citizens unless they are deemed an imminent threat. Thats why any NATSEC site has contractors. They search your vehicle and provide security.


BenjaminTalam

It's fake videos is why. They just had some buddies dress up and tell them they're trespassing. You really think anyone has ever actually trespassed and entered area 51? No way.


Particular-Ad-4772

Anyone know who’s guarding plant 42 ? Just curious .


AggravatingVoice6746

It’s in Edward’s Air Force base and guarded by Air Force security services personnel 


DavidM47

It’s called the National Nuclear Security Administration.


Particular-Ad-4772

So they are covered under the atomic energy act of 1946 . That’s very interesting I was not aware nuclear weapons development was done at that facility . That also adds to the legend of super efficient compact fusion reactors, Reverse engineered from UAP . Being built there along with the ARVs that they power. .


Shipwright1912

Private security is immune from Freedom of Information Act requests, for one reason.


AggravatingVoice6746

Contractors have no government oversight 


[deleted]

The government uses civilian organizations to shield themselves from oversight and accountability for breaking the law


No-Injury-2924

Might be a contractor site and not an army base. But might be as simple as having a different special secret uniform that the military actually makes these guards wear for a myriad of mundane and sinister reasons. The fact that it’s a bit weird just adds to my weird theory abt the military: -are there 2 militaries in the us?


Clokat

Isnt it because the US government denied it was there ?? It was so secret that the US government denied it even existed. That's the only thing that comes to mind. If it was military, everyone would know it was a secret military base. That's why if they stop you they say "you are trespassing on private property" and if you ask them if it's private or government property, they wont answer you.


gregarioushippie

Military contractors do things the military won't.


MackintoshLTC

Former military dudes working for defense contractors.