Posted on Mar 26, 2024
What should we be doing to help our interpreters left behind in Afghanistan?
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I saw this organization (https://rly.pt/welcomecorpswebinarveterans) and thought I'd pass it along.
From the veterans I've talked to, one of the biggest failures we had was not doing more to evacuate our allied "'Terps" from Afghanistan. There aren't many bi-partisan issues that bring veterans together but this has always is one of them. These people were vetted, worked with and sometimes even fought alongside us. They are going through the proper immigration path and by all standards trying to come here the right way. What can we be doing to help them?
From the veterans I've talked to, one of the biggest failures we had was not doing more to evacuate our allied "'Terps" from Afghanistan. There aren't many bi-partisan issues that bring veterans together but this has always is one of them. These people were vetted, worked with and sometimes even fought alongside us. They are going through the proper immigration path and by all standards trying to come here the right way. What can we be doing to help them?
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Immigration
Refugees
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Immigration Refugees
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I managed to help get both of my interpreters here. Another problem during the pull out was getting many of their family members out as well. Many did not directly support Americans in country but their lives were just as much in danger should the Taliban find out.
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SSG Carlos Madden
That's amazing. Do you mind letting us know how you did that and what the process was like?
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SSG Carlos Madden - ..
By ALL Means ~~ PLEASE DO !!
Keep Us Posted & Bring Updates.
Hearing From People ON The Job Is
The Absolute BEST Information Possible
By ALL Means ~~ PLEASE DO !!
Keep Us Posted & Bring Updates.
Hearing From People ON The Job Is
The Absolute BEST Information Possible
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
SSG Carlos Madden to be clear, I helped the interpreters get out prior to the withdraw through working with DOS to get their SIVs. However, my primary interpreter, who eventually earned his US citizenship and even a college degree in computer science, asked me to help again as the withdraw took place. Several of his family members had to make the trek from Herat to Kabul, hoping to get authorization for a flight out. I worked with DOS to identify them and request their support. It went unanswered. I also worked with the Digital Dunkirk folks to pass information to my interpreter, for him to pass to his family. We identified the Taliban checkpoints and places to avoid, where to go, who to talk to, and gave them contacts to refer them to. Ultimately, they were unable to get into Kabul and had to continue their trek out of the country through the Pakistan border. Not all of them made it.
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SSG Carlos Madden
That's both incredible on you and your 'terps part, and tragic. That's a real solid thing you did.
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Those that worked for us as "terps" risked so much of themselves AND their families....the US needs to do more to get them out of the Danger Zone
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I've seen the positive impact of these efforts in our own communities. I met a family from Afghanistan who found safety in the US and it is clear they appreciate how much programs like these have done to demonstrate our own appreciation for their support when we were on their turf.
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I’m meeting someone today who was born there but came to the US as a child, subsequently he served 4 tours in Afganistan fighting as an American soldier.
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There are groups like Save Our Allies that assist with things like this but with the Taliban back in the drivers seat in Afghanistan it's extremely difficult to make things happen. It's their country and sadly they get to make the rules
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Can those Soldiers who worked closely with them launch private-sector extractions?
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SSG Carlos Madden
Thats a good question. I have no idea to be honest. I feel like that'd be a mess with the Dept of State one way or another.
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SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA
SSG Carlos Madden you know I'm on board with participating in private sector stuff like that. In this case I have not the expertise, nor the connections, nor the resources to do something like that.
I think the whole fiasco is already a mess with the State Dept.
I think the whole fiasco is already a mess with the State Dept.
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