Defense Contracting Considerations in 2025

Learn the financial pros and cons of overseas defense contracting careers. This includes salary considerations.

Learn about expatriate healthcare plan considerations when working in developing nations and hostile fire zones.

Emergency medical evacuation considerations are also discussed.

Learn to convert annual salary into an hourly rate.

Learn about hourly rates and authorized hours.

Considerations for hours authorized and when full pay starts.

View notes in presenter view.

1. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
Intent:
•Inform those interested in overseas contracting
•Increase knowledge for others to share
Agenda:
•Salary versus hours
•Number of hours and when pay starts
•Global healthcare coverage and emergency medical
plans

2. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
•Background
–Excerpt from a broader course on financial
literacy for veterans
–Inspired by overseas contractors
–Author credentials; Retired Special Forces
NCO/Adjunct Business Strategy Professor/
Armed Overseas Contractor experience
–So what?: Can be extremely rewarding or a
nightmare; choose wisely

3. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
•Salary versus hours
–Annual salary divided by 2080 or 2088
(depends on company) = hourly rate
–Contracts are usually salary but paid hourly

4. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
•Number of hours and when pay starts
–Discuss number of paid hours per week
–When does full pay start (during travel, upon
arrival, etc.)
•Example: 8 hours per day during travel // 10 hours
at work location?
–How much is “uplift”?
•When does “uplift” start; immediately or after 30
days?

5. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
•Global healthcare coverage
–One of top reasons for U.S. bankruptcy is
medical bills
–Most contracts do not provide military medical
support (sometimes for retirees)
–Check to see if your healthcare plan covers
overseas travel/work
–What is your plan for “pay as you go”
countries?

6. Considerations for Overseas Defense
Contracting
•Emergency medical plans
–Does the company have an emergency
medical evacuation healthcare plan?
–What is the company’s definition of a work-
related emergency?
•Appendicitis versus gunshot wound
–Do you have an evacuation healthcare plan?
–Who pays the overseas emergency bill?

7. Conclusion
•Know the facts before you commit
•For more information visit:
ohttps://liberty.augusoft.net/index.cfm?
method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=19
19&int_category_id=5&int_sub_category_id=21&int_c
atalog_id=0
oSearch “Financial Literacy for Transitioning Veterans”
oScan the QR code

8. Disclaimer
•The comments throughout the presentation are solely
the author’s and do not represent the U.S. Military, U.S.
Government, private enterprise, or government entity.