Translation Contractors Fail U.S. Troops in Combat

[babylonsister]

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2981

Translation Contractors Fail U.S. Troops in Combat
by: Brandon Friedman
Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 08:15:00 AM EDT

This disgusts me:

U.S. troops say companies that recruit military translators are sending linguists to southern Afghanistan who are unprepared to serve in combat, even as hundreds more are needed to support the growing number of troops.

Some translators are in their 60s and 70s and in poor physical condition -- and some don't even speak the right language.

"I've met guys off the planes and have immediately sent them back because they weren't in the proper physical shape," said Gunnery Sgt. James Spangler, who is in charge of linguists at Camp Leatherneck, the largest U.S. base in Helmand province.

"They were too old. They couldn't breathe. They complained about heart problems," he said. "We almost made a joke of it. We're almost receiving people on oxygen tanks and colostomy bags; it's almost getting to that point."

And that's not the worst of it.

Troops say low-skilled and disgruntled translators are putting U.S. forces at risk.

"Intelligence can save Marines' lives and give us the advantage on the battlefield," said Cpl. William Woodall, 26, of Dallas, who works closely with translators. "Instead of looking for quality, the companies are just pushing bodies out here, and once they're out the door, it's not their problem anymore."

You know what the solution is? Stop outsourcing one of the most important combat and counterinsurgency functions to the lowest bidder and start sending more soldiers to DLI. Every infantry platoon gets assigned a medic, right? He's not a contractor. Every infantry platoon gets assigned a forward observer, right? He's not a contractor. So why is the translator a contractor? And why aren't we investing in them like we should be?

[justiceischeap]

1. Don't forget about the buttload of translators that were fired because of DADT

Because they were gay, they weren't "worthy" of serving our nation and were separated from the military. Makes a lot of sense, huh?

[babylonsister]

3. I hear you. My thoughts went there, too, when I read this. nt

[Solly Mack]

2. Under DADT Farsi linguists have been discharged

It hasn't just been Arabic speakers

[HOLOS]

4. truly sad!!