MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- When infantry Marines aren’t in the field training for an upcoming deployment, they spend much of their workdays in a classroom setting, learning different techniques and tactics that will help them in a hostile environment.
Thirty-six Marines with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, recently spent time going through a different type of training — in a classroom environment. Instead of having weapons familiarity and patrolling maneuvers drilled into their heads, they were taught a tool that will enhance their understanding and communications abilities in Iraq.
The Marines went through a one-week Iraqi Dialect Familiarization Course, taught by two instructors from the Defense Language Institute, Mary and Augestin Youhanna.
The duo has spent the last two years traveling around to military bases to teach the newly implemented course to Marines. The classes last from one week to one month, depending upon the amount of time the Marines are allotted for the course.
“We teach them a few basic phrases,” said Mary, a 22-year veteran instructor. “We tend to focus on the customs, though. The Iraqi people are very sensitive, and knowing about their culture can be a big help for the Marines.”
Although Marine units usually travel with interpreters while they are in Iraq or Afghanistan, equipping more Marines with a familiarization of the language can help to break down the barrier between the cultures and give the Marines an advantage in a combat area.
“We have heard from some individuals that they don’t always have an interpreter with them,” said the Baghdad, Iraq native. “Sometimes one word can save lives, though. By teaching them some basic phrases, we give them the tools to be able to communicate, and that increases the Marines chances of building friendships with the Iraqi people.”
Throughout the week, the Marines were taught everything from basic numbers to more advanced language skills and accents as well as Iraq’s culture and courtesies.
“They only have one week to learn everything,” said Mary. “But we make sure they understand basic phrases like, ‘Do you have weapons?’ and customs such as feeding habits and religious practices.”
They were taught through repetition, PowerPoint presentations and quizzes. They were each given pamphlets containing frequently used phrases as well as other reading materials to help them through the course.
“We have daily quizzes,” she said. “Mostly, we just do a lot of communicating during class to make sure everyone is picking up on the dialect and pronunciation of the words.”
Although it is difficult to learn a new language as quickly as the Marines were expected to, many of them realize the importance of the knowledge to be gained, and took the course seriously.
“It is easy to teach a class when the students are willing to learn and want to be there,” Mary explained. “Most of the individuals do not know anything about the culture and language, but they pick up on the basics pretty quick. It is very important for all military branches of service to gain this type of training and understanding of a people whose country they are going to. One word can save a life. The best way to gain positive relationships with other people is communication and understanding, and that is what we are teaching them through this course.”