How to mold Soldiers into leaders when the language barrier still exists?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 19:17:47 -0400

Lately, I have been dealing with a lot of new Soldiers from different backgrounds. Most of them come from ESL training before AIT. These Soldiers are having a really hard time understanding and communicating with superiors and peers alike. Hispanics always ask me, "can I speak to you in spanish." I see them having a really hard time trying to speak to me but I don't want to "baby" them because they need to learn. An African Soldier confessed to me that while in BCT he would always order the same thing as the person in front of him at the chow line because he didn't always know all the food names and it was easier to say, "the same please." Most of these Soldiers are already Specialists...

Response by MSG Jose Colon made Apr 21 at 2014 7:44 PM

MSG Jose Colon — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 19:44:33 -0400

Our Nation forgets that we are in the American Army, and the official language is English.

This will sound controversial, especially coming from someone whose primary language is Spanish, but if you cannot communicate in English, even with difficulty, you shouldn't be promoted. It is your responsibility as a Soldier to prove yourself competent to assume your next responsibilities, and that might include taking English as a Second Language and Conversational English until you fond yourself competent enough to communicate.

My English is by no means perfect, but I did become a good instructor, and a public speaker. I wasn't babied, and didn't ask to lessen the standards to accommodate me.

Many will cry EO or discrimination, but it is not discrimination if you do not fit the standard. You do not need to be perfect, only capable of communicating.

On the same note, those who make fun of those of us that speak English with an accent, only show their ignorance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2014 11:44 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 23:44:05 -0400

The real problem here, as with just about all Army training, is that you see a skill in a training environment and when you graduate with your "T," that's it. You're trained! The Army makes it hard, if not impossible, to put your hand up and say that you either need the training again (I'm not aware of training that you can repeat if you passed it) or take more of it (unless it's fitness related).

They developed a lot of online training options and language labs for my linguists (English speakers training in foreign languages) and they have to constantly prove they are working on their language and continue to pass exams. I could see this model as a promising possible solution. Can any linguists speak to this? Does this model work for you? The ESL Soldiers have an advantage over the linguists in that they are immersed in their target language.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 11:44 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:44:53 -0500

This was something I saw first had at OCS. We had soldiers from the PR National Guard. Some of them really struggled with English. But as it was stated English is the operational language of the US Army. So you have to use it. If you were to use Spanish you could potentially open yourself up to some liability. I would think you are catering to the soldier also. They have to learn the language of the Army. It is something that they need to work through.