SOUTHWEST ASIA (Aug. 24, 2015) -- In 2003, when U.S. military forces pushed into Baghdad, Rahdi Mortda, a then 13-year-old young Iraqi, looked at how U.S. 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 to serve as cultural advisers between two very different cultures.
"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 Advise and Assist Team, which includes Iraqi local interpreters, U.S. 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 United States.
"The U.S. Army helped me move out of Iraq and move to the [United] States," Mortda said. "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," said Jaguar, (pseudonym), who is a U.S. 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," Jaguar said. "That experience made me braver as a man." Jaguar is now serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
The 310th Advise and Assist Team 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," said 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," Nicki said. "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 Advise and Assist Team. 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 Advise and Assist Team 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," Beasley said. "Each garment had a meaning and he explained how one cannot be worn without the other."
The 310th Advise and Assist 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 Advise and Assist Team commander. "It would be like going to war without ammunition."
Social Sharing