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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – As the sun arose across the hot desert sky a picture of quiet serenity could be seen across the camp. The former Iraqi soldier talks about his decision to immigrate to the United States and join the Army to pursue the American dream July 7.
Pfc. Ahamed Jaff a canon crewmember with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, reminisces about his family having to move away after his father a sheikh at a mosque life was threaten because of his non violent views toward the US.
“My father told me that we could never out gun Americans or anyone looking for war, but if we make the country peaceful, and look less like a wars zone the evaders would leave or their own,” Jaff said.
Jaff’s journey began in 2007, when he applied to for one of two non-degree position in the Iraqi Military Academy. After receiving word that his application had been rejected for the non-degree appointment into the officer core, he joined the Iraq army.
After completing his training he became a canon crewmember, where he would go out on route clearing missions fighting against insurgence who were trying to take over his country.
“After serving more than 18 months of my three-year military obligation I felt I could help more people if were out of the military, working as an English teacher,” Jaff said.
Jaff began inquiring about being released early from his three-year military obligation to pursue an English degree from the university.
“I was told that I could be released early if I paid the equivalent of $1,000.00 U.S.,” Jaff said. “I had to ask my parent if they could loan me the money so I could get out of the military.”
Jaff said that after his release from the military he immediately entered the university to study English and earn his degree.
Six months into the school year he realized that many of his classmates graduating from the University were entering the military, because there were no jobs available teaching and joining the military was the only paid work.
“I quickly became disillusioned with the job market and the thought of having to return to the military after graduation, especially after paying to be released early to pursue my education,” Jaff said. “I wanted to teach English to my countrymen.”
During the summer break he decided not to go back to the university, his father was very disappointed and wanted him to return to school.
While visiting with his cousin a chance encounter with American Soldier, who overheard him speaking English opened a window of opportunity for him to get a job and begin a new future.
“The Soldier told me they could use me to keep them out of danger,” Jaff said. He asked me how good my English was and if I had ever worked as a translator before,” Jaff said.
Jaff told his father about the encounter, and job opportunity and asked his permission to take the translator position. “My father was not a fan of the military and no happy about me working for the Americans,” Jaff said. “After several long discussion he finally gave me his permission to take the position.”
In 2008 He began working an interpreter for a route-clearing unit in the Mosul area, whose mission was to search for Improvised Explosive Devices.
“I loved my job, because every time we located an IED’s that meant we just saved the life of my fellow Soldier, Jaff said. “You feel this sense of pride each time you saved a life.
Jaff’s plan was to work for the military for six months and then quit and do his own business or return to school, but at the six-month point he enjoyed being a part of the unit and its mission and continued to work for an additional 18 months.
“I would have stay even longer, but I was transferred and the new unit didn’t allow local national to use the gym or library or any other facilitate on the base, “ Jaff said.
He said he didn’t understand the base policy, since he was fighting along side Soldiers they and needed to be physically fit just like them. “I understand there were incidents of Iraqi Soldiers attacking US Soldiers and that many no longer trusted Iraqi people working on the base.”
Jaff spoke with another interpreter who informed him that he should request a recommendation letter from the commander and apply for a visa to to immigrate to the US.
Special Immigrat visas are issued to Iraqi and Afghanistan interpreters who were employed by or on behalf of the the US Government. per the state department. http://www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
Jaff said the turning point in his life happened while talking to a specialist ,who at 24 years-old, owned a house that was worth more than $200,000.00.
“He showed me pictures of the house and I was shocked, because you have a lot of money and pay cash for a home in Iraq," Jaff said.
Jaff said after the conversation with the Soldier, he wanted a better life, he wanted to talking to the Soldier he knew what he wanted to pursue the American dream.
"I told my dad that he did not want to live in Iraq anymore and want to immigrate to the United States to live the American dream,” Jaff said. “I want my future kids to live in a safe place and in a home of our own.”
Jaff said his father was shocked, but told him it was his life and he had to do what was right for him.
After applying for a visa is 2009 he became very frustrated with the base policy of not allowing local nationals to use many of the facilities aboard the base and began working for several contractor while he waited for word on the status of his visa request.
In 2012 he returned home after the company he was working for lost its contract with the Army.
Jaff said it was 8:00 a.m. when he sister woke him up, telling him his dad was on the phone and wanted to talk to him.
“I didn’t want to talk to my dad, because I felt he was going to start asking me about returning to college, so reluctantly I answered the phone only to here him excitedly tell that that someone from the U.S. embassy in Bagdad had called to infom me that I could come pickup my visa,” Jeff said. “I raced as fast as I could to the embassy to pick it up.”
Two months after receiving his visa he depart Iraq bound for the U.S. and ended up in Kansas City, Mo.
“It didn’t hit me until I left the airport that I was really in the U.S.,” Jaff said. “I search for security jobs for several months with no success.” I was sitting in my hotel room wondering what I was going to do, when I looked up another former army translator that was living in Dallas, Texas.
We had been talking for about an hour when he suggested that we become roommates, which would save both of us money and enhance our job search opportunities.
“Two weeks after our initial conversation I boarded a plane for Dallas, to continue my pursuit of the American dream and to renew my friendship wth an old friend," Jaff said. “After searching for security position in the area with no success we decided to go see a recruiter to see if we could join the Army.”
Jaff said they wanted to come in the military on the buddy system and become Cavalry Scout, but he was offered the canon crewmember, while his friend was offered the scout position.
“After seven months my paper work was approved and I shipped out to initial training at Fort Sill, Okla., Jaff said. “The path that I laid out more than four years ago of pursuing the American dream was finally coming true.”
Jaff said he enjoys being in the military and the thought of being able to fight for someone rights fills him with an intense joy.
“Iraq will always be my home, but I am now a citizen of the US and if called upon to fight against citizens of my mother land I will do it without hesitation,” Jaff said. “The thing I love most about my new homeland is that the National Anthem talks about this being the land of the free and the home of the brave, and it is that.”
I am proud to be a Big Red One Soldier and for the opportunity live the American dream.
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2014 06:49 |
| Story ID: | 138901 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Why I serve: Former Iraqi soldier immigrates to us to pursue American dream, by Bernhard Lashleyleidner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
