I the world of Area51 and secret bases not everyone is an alien or even army personel. SOme are private contractors tot he government. They are swore to secrecy so nobody will find out.. My question is how do they find thees contracteees? I mean if you put a bulletein in an office sayong help wanted on top secret projecys at super secret base the word would get out. You couldn't post in a paper. If someone said out loud or constantly goes around that must mean they have a contract with a company. But then there's the dilema if you interview someone for the job, they decline or you don't hir etheey already have the knowledge of existing projects. How do you keep them from telling?

So anyone know where and how they find contractors?

As I understand it, contractors sign up on a list.
Many on that list, have been there for decades and have done work for different government departments.
There are certain qualifications as a contractor you must meet.
There is a government web site were the list is made public.
There may also be a list of contractors on a separate list for special projects too.

Usually you put your resume out, or someone knows you and offers you a job with a very vague job description. If you tell them you are interested they fly you out somewhere where you get briefed on where you are going. Then, when you get there you find out it isn't exactly what you were told it is, so you adapt and get paid. That's how I got my job in Iraq. I knew where I was going, but like anything else run by the government it isn't exactly what you were told or expect.

Some people are just randomly picked as well, people who wouldn't normally be working on 'top secret' projects. I've heard of botanists, linguists, and other specialty fields being hired to name a few.

Maybe they need an animator...? I can only keep my fingers crossed.

I have a question: do you think you could quit the Contract at anytime or do you have to stay forever once you sign?

As a contractor you can quit anytime you want, but it usually means you have to give up sign up bonuses and pay certain penalties for noncompletion of contract. This is America, not Nazi Germany. Heck I know plenty of people who have went on vacation, then never came back. The only jobs you can't quit is service duty to the Armed Forces or Coast Guard.

This post has been edited by JDorfler: May 1 2008, 09:11 PM

What you do have to do when accepting work in a classified field is to sign a non disclosure agreement before you start. It is very explicit and has some rather stiff consequences of revealing any classified information. Further you would have to pass a rigorous security back ground check before being considered.

The security agreement has no expiration date. Thats why very few talk and if they do they are unwilling to reveal who they really are. Consequences of violation are severe.

Once in a while someone talks when they are very old and the end of life is near. Not as much to fear anymore.

True. It's usually 8 years to life in a federal pen. Just b/c you are still not wearing the uniform or no longer with the company doesn't mean you can talk. But, if asked a question as an opinion, as long as the person in uniform makes it clear that it's their own personal opinion and doesn't talk crap about the government they can say anything they want.

Such as if a reporter asks a solder, "Do you believe there are little gray men?"

Soldier, "As a soldier I cannot confirm or deny that, but I, (state name), believe there are little perverted gray guys with a thing for butt diddling. That is my personal opinion."