Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Kamal Moustafhim (seated on the right), Military Intelligence Readiness Command...... read more read more
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ZARQA, Jordan – U.S. Army Central exercise Eager Light brought together two linguists from the Georgia Army National Guard 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and 14 reserve linguists from the Military Intelligence Readiness Command based at Fort Belvoir, Va. Their military training is conducted in different U.S. locations with varied teaching plans, but they all gained experience and shared their expertise here.
This is McNeil’s first trip to the Middle East after two years of military training. With only the opening and closing remarks of the orders brief being translated to English, his role was key to understanding the JAF mission and building relationships with staff counterparts.
Having traveled to six other nations, McNeil said “this is one of my favorite trips. I enjoyed applying everything I learned in training and seeing the people we help.”
Unlike his school training, McNeil got an opportunity to practice Arabic with someone who does not speak English. He had to find a new way to describe words that were not understood. He wanted to learn as much about the culture to go beyond what he learned in school.
“Working with native linguists here has helped me learn new words and how various cultures react differently,” said McNeil. He took away the language barrier for his leadership working with JAF and helped break the ice between them.
Finding ways to establish common ground, while acknowledging differences, is essential in building relationships with foreign military partners.
"Being a linguist isn't just being an interpreter, we are cultural advisers too," said Staff Sgt. Tariq Aldamen, a MIRC linguist. He continued, “our Armies have common goals to improve skills and build strong partnerships, but our backgrounds and priorities are different resulting in messages being perceived differently.”
Aldamen was raised in Jordan and moved to the U.S. in 2006. Aldamen added, living and experiencing the culture in the country cannot be replaced in the classroom. Training with JAF is relevant with the current situation and their neighboring countries. Having a strong relationship with JAF lends to working together in the future.
“We learned as much from JAF as they learned from us,” said Aldamen. “They are experts in the area and are fighting against the same enemy.”
Aldamen and McNeil shared their expertise with U.S. and Jordanian forces facilitating an understanding of each other’s mission and explaining messages that get lost in translation. Linguists help U.S. Army Central teams shape the future by building stronger relationships within the region.
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2015 08:12 |
| Story ID: | 157143 |
| Location: | ZARQA, JO |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Linguists foster strong partnerships, by LTC Janet Herrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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