Go ‘Terps!
Communication is critical in my job. We need to be able to glean as much information from witnesses as possible to help deal with any sort of IED or UXO. This can be difficult, to say the least, when you can’t speak the local language (or languages as the case is in Afghanistan). While it would be great if we could be fluent in the language(s) of the area we are deployed to, it just isn’t practical for a variety of reasons. Enter the ‘terps. ‘Terps, which is short for interpreters, are local nationals who feel that they can best serve the interests of their country and fellows by bridging the language barrier for coalition forces and locals. I’ve got a lot of respect for these guys, not only are they fluent in multiple languages, but they risk life and limb just for doing their jobs. One of the best of the bunch is a guy called Sweet. All the ‘terps are hated by the Taliban and anti-Coalition forces, but Sweet has been targeted specifically for assassination by these guys. He’s survived something like five separate attempts on his life and has a substantial bounty on his head. Despite all this, he enthusiastically goes about his business; helping people like me help his countrymen to put this place back together. Every time I meet up with Sweet he greets me with a huge smile and energetic handshake, and he’s always ready to chat it up about his latest exploits or ask how you’ve been. Sweet was the same way with the EOD team before us, and I’m betting he’ll be the same with the team that comes after us; he’s just that kind of guy. Since I’ve been here I’ve experienced a good many things, not all of them nice, Sweet has definitely been one of the good ones though, and meeting him will probably end up one of the highlights of my deployment. Thank you Sweet!
July 20th, 2005 at 12:52 am
Funny, the University of Maryland teams are the Terrapins, or Terps, for short. I thought at first you were a Maryland fan!
http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/md/graphics/md-top-turtle1.gif
July 20th, 2005 at 4:30 pm
Hey dewd, This is my first post. YAY. My skinternet is down at home so I hope they don’t mind me doing this at work. I wanted to ask you if your translator wears body armor. It would seem that escaping several attempts on his life should earn him the Macharian Cross or perhaps the Crimson Medallion. Also, maybe you can find a Terp to help you translate Army into AirForce speak and prevent one of those issues like the IED under the pavement.
July 22nd, 2005 at 2:08 pm
Maureen, being from MD I do like the Terrapins, so you weren’t far off in your initial assessment and I actually did think of that when I titled the piece. I’m actually considering ordering a Terps shirt for Sweet, any suggestions on a good place to get one online?
Rob, good to here from you dude! The terps do wear body armor…sometimes. I think it depends on how froggy they’re feeling that day, or it could be how high threat the mission is. I’ve also know Sweet and one or two others to go armed when out and about. As for a Army/Air Force terp, well translating Army jargon to Air Force lingo has perplexed some of the greatest linguistic minds of our times, I don’t know if there will ever be full communication between our two peoples, but we can hope.
July 22nd, 2005 at 5:05 pm
Dave,
Here is the website you need:
http://umcp.bkstore.com/default.asp?m=0303&p=10044&cat_id=5
Its the classic “Terps” Tee Shirt. The new logo is “Fear the Turtle” which I think is lame but I’m not there anymore so doesnt phase me. Check around the website maybe they would have an alumni shirt like “Surviving Terp” which sounds just perfect for Sweet!
Keep the zanshin buddy!
John