US Soldiers are now taking intensive "Iraqi customs 101" crash course

[sabra]

http://defendamerica.mil/articles/apr2006/a030306wm2.html

Deploying Troops Learn Iraqi History, Culture
The five-day course places soldiers in a classroom headed by a native Iraqi who instructs
them on useful Arabic phrases and pronunciation, as well as Iraqi customs and history.


SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii, April 3, 2006 — Marhaba. Es-salam alaikum. Sabah al-khair. Ahlan wa sahlan.

For many U.S. soldiers, the above phrases may seem incomprehensible, but soldiers going through Iraqi language and cultural awareness classes at the Education Center here will recognize them as polite Arabic greetings.

The five-day course places soldiers in a classroom headed by a native Iraqi who instructs them on useful Arabic phrases and pronunciation, as well as Iraqi customs and history.

The class is intended to be an intensive crash course to prepare soldiers for possible encounters when deployed to Iraq.



Ali Abueisa, an Arabic and culture instructor, lectures a class on common Arabic commands used in Iraq. Abueisa is one of many native Arabic speakers who has been brought to Schofield Barracks to teach soldiers about Iraq's culture and language. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Daniel Bearl

[Caution]

1. Well gee. This might have been a good idea. THREE YEARS AGO!

This really isn't brain surgery fer crissakes.

[DainBramaged]

4. Too bad they even have to have these classes

Fucking Neo-Con scumbags. It's the end of the world I tell ya.

[madokie]

10. Same thing with vietnam, didn't teach me shit about the vietnamese

except how to hurt them and to how to cover my ass. I guess the brass must think you won't be inacting with them except through your weapon and everyone knows weapons don't speak any one language. wtf. About the time I had it figured out it was time to leave.

[DUHandle]

2. They have different religions

too.


(so little, so late it's actually disturbing)

[Earth_First]

3. Am I the only one who thinks *finally*

4 years later, and servicemembers are finally being trained how to communicate and interact with Iraqi citizens without the aide of a translator(s)...

:shrug:

[KevinJH87]

5. nope, not the only one

you would think somebody would have thought... hmm this might be a good idea... but no. Sort of scares me.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi KevinJH87!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[KevinJH87]

14. thanks!

[rooboy]

6. "I can't stress this enough, people..."

"When you discharge your weapons, point the barrel UPWARDS!!!"

[boobooday]

7. These guys are lightning quick, eh?

They really catch on fast. It takes them three years of mayhem to figure out maybe they should have a five-day course, which really won't change anything, since the fools at the top seem to be clueless. So anything the poor soldiers do at the microlevel will quickly be foiled by Rummy and his 'bomb the hell out of them and then insult them too' strategy.

[Bluebear]

8. "Is that a chocolate in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"

"OK class, please translate."

[wtmusic]

9. .

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. A dangerous move for the military.

If the troops start interacting with the Iraqis, they might (emphasize might), start seeing them as human beings rather than "the enemy" or "targets" and hesitate to follow "lawful" orders to kill them on command. They might even begin to question of the legality of some of those orders.

But, having put in my 4 years, I rather doubt that this is a humanitarian move. Or, that what is being taught has anything to do "understanding".

[IdaBriggs]

13. About bloody time!!! Seems like a no brainer -- LEARN THE CUSTOMS

BEFORE INVADING! DOH!

:eyes:

[AtomicKitten]

15. they didn't even have translators when they invaded

and now they think they'll try a new tact?

I guess torture and rendition didn't win the Iraqi hearts and minds.

[0007]

16. 'Tis an ass kissing course. Have to change tactics from torture.