Military recruiting Afghan translators

With combat operations winding down in Iraq, the military is looking towards Afghanistan more. The Army is looking to recruit more soldiers who speak on of the languages most spoken in Afghanistan--Dari, Pashto or Farsi. But the task of getting these soldiers is proving difficult. Obviuosly, there has to be a little apprehension from young men who would have such second language.

Military recruiters are going to places where these languages might be spoken. Places like Little Persia in Los Angeles. Anywhere that recruiters think either Afghans or Iranians may hang out.

The potential number if qualified people is significantly lower. Arabic is spoken by a much larger population. The population in the United States of immigrant Iranians and Afghans is much smaller. Then you must find young people willing and able to serve.

The Army has set a goal of 250 new recruits across the nation. But they have only managed to get only a handful.

This shortage comes at a bad time. The military is looking to the day when they will end combat operations. The need for translators and interpreters now is at its greatest. It is crucial to be able to work with local Afghan officials and people in the community.

The lack of translators can put soldiers at risk in situations where complete and clear communication is needed. Misunderstandings can lead to tragedies on both sides.

The risk for soldiers recruited for this duty is great as well. You can imagine how some Afghan locals may feel looking at a soldier that appears to be Afghan wearing a US Army unform. The Army is not putting their names on uniforms for this reason. Because of the value of these soldiers, they are shipped overseas for duty ASAP. Females and others stay in the United States to train others.

One reward for these soldiers is getting citizenship quicker than usual. They may get a signing bonus as well. Still, because of the history, many Afghans think it is kind of a betrayal.

Afghans need to know that the United States only wants good things for the Afghan people. We salute the men and women who have such skills and volunteer to work for the common good.

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Success in Marjah?

The Afghanistan government is now flying their flag over Marjah. This former taleban stronghold is now in civilian hands.

This is a job well done for the US military.

Even so, this flag raising ceremony took place as troops were still clearing bomb fields to clear the last few square miles.

People have returned in the last couple of days and many markets and shops are now open for business, maybe not as usual, but for business.

This ceremony also had a reading from the Koran. Can you imagine that? US soldiers dying and fighting so people have the right to recite religious material at public ceremonies. But in their own country, could these soldiers read from the Bible if they wanted? Think about that for a while.

This was really a joint effort of US, NATO, and Afghan forces, but you can bet the majority of the battles were fought and won by Americans. But we do salute other countries, like Britain, who lost their brave men.

The success in Marjah does mark a milestone, as it was one the biggest last holdouts of the taleban, complete with drug trade.

The main goal was to show Afghans that the world is serious, well, at least the US, about giving Afghanistan back over to Afghans.

As the insurgents leave, they plant bombs that are vexing the troops in clean up mode. Probably 100 remain nearby who will undoubtedly fight until they are all dead.

We refuse to give any body counts for political reasons. Suffice to say there were needless deaths all around. That is never looked upon lightly.

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Is Obama right? 10 questions to ask the President

After digesting the Afghan troop surge speech, here is another post.

Here are some questions for President Obama on the Afghan "surge."

10 Questions the President Should Answer:

Is it too late?

Is the problem moved to Pakistan?

If we pull out in 2011, why would the taliban not just wait?

If we pull out in 2011, no matter what, what good are we doing?

Did we do the same thing we were asked to do 2 months ago? If so, why did we wait and lose time?

Is not sending 40,000 troops, but 30,000, a 10,000 gift to a political group?

Should all wars be politicized with a speech?

Did Obama sound just like Bush at various times?

Is the war on terror back on track?

Is it even a "war on terror" once again?

And here's a bonus question: Should we even be in Afghanistan at all?

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