Photo By Maj. A. Sean Taylor | U.S. Army Spc. Rahdi Mortda (Left Middle), a military linguist attached to the 310th...... read more read more
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SOUTHWEST ASIA – In 2003, when U.S. military forces pushed into Baghdad, a young Iraqi 13-year-old named Rahdi Mortda looked at how the U.S. Army Soldiers conducted themselves and their professionalism and said to himself, “One day I will be a U.S. Soldier!”
Twelve years later, U.S. Army Spc. Rahdi Mortda returned to Iraq as a linguist assigned to the 310th Logistics Advise and Assist Team serving the Iraq National Logistics Depot at Camp Taji in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Linguists play a mission-essential role, serving as a conduit between Arabic and English speakers. Their job is not only to interpret what is said but serve as cultural advisers between two oftentimes very different peoples.
“I help Iraqis understand Americans,” Mortda said. “I also ensure what comes from the American side is said in a way that does not insult the Iraqi officers.”
Mortda is part of a group of seven linguists assisting the 310th A&A team that includes Iraqi local interpreters, American contractors and U.S. Army linguists. Each plays an important role that is highly valued by the team. Mortda himself served as a local interpreter from 2006-2010 before immigrating to the U.S.
“The U.S. Army helped me move out of Iraq and move to the States, Mortda explained.
“I am happy to come here and serve. It is payback for what they gave me.”
Similar to military linguists, CAT II linguists are U.S. citizens or green card holders working as civilian contractors with the U.S. military.
“Besides being a good job that makes good money, I find it rewarding that I can serve both my birth country and my adopted country,” says Jaguar (pseudonym) an American citizen working as a CAT II linguist. “It is a good life experience to have.”
Jaguar moved to the United States in 1980 but returned to serve as a Department of Defense linguist from 2007-2011.
“During that time I went on over 280 combat missions,” remembered Jaguar. “That experience made me braver as a man.” Jaguar is now serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
The 310th A&A also uses local citizens contracted to work as linguists. These CAT I linguists risk their personal safety to serve and often keep their jobs secret even from their closest friends.
“This is my dream job to be on the ground with the U.S. Army using my language skills and my college degree but I hide my identity,” says Sam (pseudonym) a Baghdad resident and recent college graduate. “I tell my friends I am studying to go to graduate school.”
Nicki (pseudonym), another local linguist, tells her friends she works at the airport.
“Some do not believe it is proper for a woman to work with male soldiers and others see us as traitors or snitches,” explains Nicki. “One of the reasons I want to work with the Americans is they treat me with respect."
In addition to going out on missions as interpreters, the linguists also translate documents and teach Arabic to the members of the 310th A&A. One of the most popular weekly training events is their Friday afternoon Arabic language course taught by Tom (pseudonym) a local CAT I linguist.
“I look forward to going to the language classes,” said Staff Sgt. David Beasley, a tank mechanic with the 310th A&A serving on his first overseas deployment. “Tom is very knowledgeable about the Arabic language and customs.”
The classes have active participation from the team which include role playing leader engagements with Iraqi leaders and learning about customs and culture.
“My favorite class is when Tom dressed in his traditional tribal clothing and explained the meaning of each item,” explained Beasley. “Each garment had a meaning and he explained how one cannot be worn without the other.”
The 310th A&A team is approaching the end of a very successful logistics advise and assist mission at Camp Taji, Iraq. The major factor in their success has been the skill and commitment of the linguists serving their team.
“There is no way we could accomplish this mission without linguists,” said Col. Michael Midkiff, 310th A&A commander. “It would be like going to war without ammunition.”
| Date Taken: | 08.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.24.2015 08:19 |
| Story ID: | 174018 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Hometown: | TAJI, IQ |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FORT IRWIN, CA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT JOHNSON, LA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LIBERTY, NC, US |
| Hometown: | INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US |
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This work, Linguists, the key to success in Operation Inherent Resolve, by MAJ A. Sean Taylor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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