Defense Contractor Back Home After 18 Months in Iraq

Wes surprised his niece Riley by picking her up at her daycare. She has not seen her "Uncle Wes" for six months.

By: Philip Weiss

It was a return home that was long overdue for Wesley Bearden.

"Its better than Christmas morning, better than the last day of school. Almost a little nervous feeling in your stomach, get back to the real world," explained Wesley. "Excellent feeling."

Wes Bearden has spent the past 18 months working in Iraq and Kuwait for a military defense contractor.

There are over 100,000 civilian contractors stationed in the Middle East supporting American troops, with jobs ranging from cooks to vehicle outfitters.

"I intergrated military trucks, installing them with communication and electronics," said Wesley.

The hard work left little time for fun.

"Its non-stop work. Six, seven, sometimes twelve hour days. Pretty much just work and sleep," said Wesley.

Working beside soldiers and seeing what they go through day-to-day was an eye opening experience for Wesley.

"Iraq is, you're living with the soldiers so you understand," says Wesley. "Puts it in perspective living with them, and seeing what they sacrifice."

Being overseas for 18 months, and only coming home for two weeks every six months, also means defense contractors must make sacrifices of their own.

"Definitely get homesick from time-to-time. Definitely miss the family and friends, that's the biggest thing," Wesley recalled. "Making that sacrifice is, I'd say, the number one sacrifice."

His sister was at the airport to welcome him home. From there, they picked up his niece from daycare, and then it was straight home to see his mom.

USC political science Professor Heather Hawn says civilians did not always do these jobs.

"Defense contractors provide a lot of services," Hawn explains. "They provide security services, they provide food services, transport services. But these were services that were traditionally provided by the military."

The U.S. Government began hiring civilians to do these jobs in the early 1990's, so soldiers could concentrate on war. Today, civilian contractors are just as vital to the war effort.

"Their work is absolutely essential to success in these engagements. Nobody would debate that and you could ask any military personnel and they would say the same thing," said Hawn.

With that satisfaction, Wesley is now ready to enjoy the life he previously left behind.

"Relax as much as possible. Drink an American ice-cold beer. That's gonna be good," said Wes, after explaining that alcohol was not allowed on the base he was stationed at in Iraq. "Just relax and not think about work, and get readjusted back to the real world."

Wesley will return back to his company's warehouse in three weeks to resume work, but at least that warehouse is located in his hometown of Charleston.