Operational Support and Services
Operational Support and Services (OSS) is a privately owned company based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. It was established in 1993[1] and according to its website (now defunct) 'OSS is the largest provider of foreign language immersion training to the U.S. Government.' OSS's staff include 'former Foreign Area Officers (FAOs), Intelligence personnel, and Special Operations personnel trained for U.S. Government diplomatic service, arms control negotiations, treaty implementation, and intelligence operations'. [2]
It would appear that in late 2009 Operational Support and Services became Linc Government Services, with the latter sharing the same headquarter address and telephone number as OSS. Subsequently, Linc Government Services became part of ABM when the company acquired The Linc Group in late 2010.[3]
Offices and Recruitment
In 2007 the OSS website stated that it had 'offices in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Virginia, Canada, France, Iraq, and Russia.' The company was also actively seeking to recruit for the following positions:
- Russian Linguist
- Counter Intelligence Agents -- Urgently needed
- HUMINT Instructor
- Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Instructors
- Arabic Speaking Role Players
- Exercise Role-Players
- Foreign Area Specialists
- Linguists
- Operations/Personnel Manager
- Subject Matter Experts
- Training Specialists[2]
Areas of Operation
Iraq
In 2004 OSS was contracted by the Deputy Secretary of Defense of the U.S. to provide Bilingual Bicultural Advisors (BBAs) of Iraqi descent or origin to support the reconstruction and capacity building efforts in Iraq. The BBA candidates were trained in Fayetteville, US before being deployed to Iraq in early 2005. The program was extended throughout 2006[4] and the program was eventually implemented throughout all 18 provinces of Iraq.[5]
OSS provided health insurance to BBAs but no life insurance. BBAs were not allowed to meet with friends or relatives whilst on deployment in Iraq. Typically, a BBA would be contracted for one year and would be expected to work 7 days a week, 10-12 hours per day. They were given two two-week R&R vacations, one scheduled at the end of each six-month period.[6]
Clients
As of 1 January 2001, OSS has served the following clients:
- MNF-I
- MNC-I
- Headquarters, US Army Europe
- US Army War College
- US Marine War College
- Center for the Advancement of Language Learning
- US Army Command and General Staff School
- US Air Force JAG Office
- US Air Force Attache and Foreign Area Officer Office
- Combined Arms Training Center, Europe
- Office of Advanced Language Skills and Requirements, Washington
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- US Army Special Forces
- US Military Intelligence Organizations (tactical and strategic)
- US Army Psychological Operations Units
- Fort Gordon Joint Language Center, Georgia
- Kunia Joint Language Center, Hawaii
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- Environmental Protection Agency
- US Navy Security Group
- Ft Meade Joint Language Center, Hawaii
- US Air Force Academy
- US Military Academy
- US Naval Academy
- Irvin Aerospace, North Carolina
- George C. Marshall Center
- Foreign Language Training Center, Europe
- Defense Language Institute
- Joint Readiness Training Command, Louisiana
- Partnership for Peace, Belgium
- National Forge Company, Pennsylvania
- TechTrans International, Texas
- ATT language Services
- NASA, Texas
- Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- Wrigley's, Inc.
- Gillette, Inc.
- RJ Reynold's, Inc.
- US Department of State Foreign Services Institute School of Language Studies
- Johnson and Johnson, Inc.[2]
Contact
- Operational Support and Services
- Headquarters
- 1876 Bureau Drive
- Fayetteville, NC 28312
- Phone: 910-425-4900
- Fax: 910-425-5110
- About OSS/General information:
- info@usereep.com
- Resumes/Employment information:
- resumes@usereep.com
- Battle Staff Rides (North America):
- Samuel Doss - reepsd@earthlink.net
- Battle Staff Rides (Europe):
- Peter Herrly - reepeurope@compuserve.com
- Language Training:
- Erin Lipton - immersion@usereep.com or languagetraining@usereep.com
Notes
- ↑ Top Secret America - Operational Support and Services, Washington Post. Last accessed 2 July 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 About OSS, OSS website, retrieved from the Internet Archive. Last accessed 2 July 2014.
- ↑ Linc Government Services Wins Slot on $9.7 Billion U.S. Department of Defense Contract to Provide Language Services to Troops Worldwide, ABM Press Release, 12 July 2011.
- ↑ BBA-SME Program, OSS Iraq website, retrieved from the Internet Archive. Last accessed 2 July 2014.
- ↑ History of the Program', OSS Iraq website, retrieved from the Internet Archive. Last accessed 2 July 2014.
- ↑ Frequently Asked Questions - BBA Program Candidates, OSS Iraq website, retrieved from the Internet Archive. Last accessed 2 July 2014.
