tsharrafna (I am honored)

I’ve heard that they employ nearly 300 Iraqi nationals here at the training center. During the war-game phase of our training the Iraqis play various roles. Some of them act as civilian townspeople going about their daily routines. Some act as political agitators and take part in well orchestrated demonstrations and riots. Some act as Coalition employees such as translators, and others play the part of insurgents bent on destroying us. About a week ago I met a young Iraqi translator. He looked to be in his mid twenties, and told me his name was Hashid (not actually the name he gave). Hashid told me that he had moved to America with his brother and was working on attaining U.S. citizenship. While going to school in New Mexico he heard that a company in Louisiana was hiring native Arabic speakers, and that they were paying good money. He wasn’t sure what the job was, and for a short while entertained the idea that someone might need some Arabic men in a movie they were making. Hashid grabbed his brother and a few friends and traveled down to Louisiana to find that the company interested in hiring him was the United States government. He began his job as a linguist and training assistant. He’s been working here for a few years now and still loves his job. I asked him what other Iraqis in his community think of his job and he told me that, while most people are supportive, some have labeled him a traitor and have even threatened him physically. Hashid does not feel like a “traitor,” he feels he is doing his patriotic duty both to Iraq and America. He explains that by helping to train American soldiers he is helping them to communicate more effectively with the Iraqi people. The better soldiers and civilians are able to communicate with one another, the better off both will be.

I don’t know what is in store for my unit or me. I don’t know what the outcome of U.S. involvement in Iraq will be. What I do know is that in order for this story to have a happy ending we need people like Hashid.