The summer issue of the CG Aux magazine highlights recent exploits of Auxie translators being deployed overseas in Africa, including assisting in classroom training and field exerciese helping US Marines train Gabonese Marines in infantry combat tactics. http://www.auxadept.org/navigator/
The CG Aux has a very active interpreter program (see http://cgwebs.net/interpreter/ ) and it seems to me as if this might be something CAP might be able to do for the AF. Granted, most of CG Aux interpreter work is done near to hoe, but given the much broader reach of AF programs around the world, they probably have a much greater need for interpreters.
They could but they won't. The AF would rather pay an outrageous amount to a contractor than utilize CAP personnel and admit that CAP could offer them something. The CG has a much more reasonable attitude toward auxies augmenting in areas where they have expertise. Great idea but the AF will never let it happen.
Got some questions here:
1. Who are we going to provide these translation services to, and in what locations?
2. Who's going to provide the language training to do this? The likelihood of finding folks already in CAP with the necessary skills, and in the necessary location, seems slim.
3. What languages are we talking about?
I'm not sure if the AD Coast Guard has translators of its own, but I know the AD Air Force does. I'm not sure what their specific AFSC is, but I do know that they exist. The question is, if the Air Force were to assess a need for a translation mission, wouldn't they be more likely to use the Active Duty personnel? Especially I'm sure they already have mechanisms in place to monitor the AD personnel's language ability.
The CG Aux program utilizes people that are already fluent in whatever language they specialize in -- they don't do the training. There are testing requirements to prove your ability before you enter the program. CG Aux translators have gone pretty much everywhere around the world wherever the CG needed them. Anyone with any language can join up, but obviously whether or not they get used depends on what need comes up.
Yes, the AF would use its own translators as much as possible. Like with the CG Aux program I see CAP translators as being best for very short term assignments (a month or less).
As to how many CAP members could qualify, we're probably talking about less than 500 people based on how many are in CG Aux program. However, this is one area where brute numbers are irrelevant as we're talking about very specialized needs. Now, if actually had such a program in existence, then targeted recruiting could focus on folks with language skills in high demand for the AF, but which are in low supply.
Good thing is that this wouldn't hardly cost anything to put together. Would need some volunteer staff to get the program organized, but for the most part translators would continue on with their normal CAP lives until that phone call comes in.
You would be surprised by how many places around the world have some AF folks there. This sort of program might be especially helpful to Air National Guard units sent on short-term humanitarian/training deployments around the world. Take a look at a state NG magazine some time and you'll find them being sent to all sorts of places and I bet they have no translators of their own. Having a CAP member come along could be a big help for them.
Remember, we have one whole wing where Spanish is the primary language...
I suspect that the primary use would be for somewhat less widespread languages, though French does get you pretty far in places you wouldn't expect.
I know a couple members who speak Farsi! Although, I dont see them "volunteering" for a month without pay.
Of course, translation isn't necessarily a skill that always has to be done overseas....
I served as a translator in the USAF. Of course, that was ages ago and an ocean away. Since that time, I've bumped into several other CAP members who also attended Defense Language Institute and served as translators.
For any number of reasons, in my experience CAP doesn't have a very large "ethnic-American" population, but I'm sure we do have a number of multi-lingual members.
And there is a distinction between translator and interpreter. A translator might be usefully employed close to home, but an interpreter would probably be used "over there."
Your largest populations for foreign languages would be Puerto Rico (Spanish), Florida (Same), Texas (Same), and Utah (just about everything). Outside of those, I don't think you're going to find a high density of high level foreign language speakers.
Who needs a high density in any one area? Its not like we need to form CAP Translator Squadrons and hold monthly meetings.
Basically, after doing whatever testing or credential checks are needed, the folks in the program would have their info go in a national database and wait until the AF searches the database for someone with the language they need and asks them to do something.
Quote from: PA Guy on August 05, 2009, 06:05:07 AM
They could but they won't. The AF would rather pay an outrageous amount to a contractor than utilize CAP personnel and admit that CAP could offer them something. The CG has a much more reasonable attitude toward auxies augmenting in areas where they have expertise. Great idea but the AF will never let it happen.
Gee I think the AF sends military personnel to the Defense Language Institute for training in some difficult languages they have a requirement in. IF I remember correctly there also is a data base of military & civilian personnel who are proficient in languages. Doubtful that the USAF uses contractors for this.
Nice try for CAP, but that's why we have professional military & DOD civilian personnel around. Don't need more wanna bees flooding the bases with that new golf shirt & khaki pants ;D ;)
IF you are very proficient at a language check out the FBI website for employment opportunities! No reason not to get paid for your using your skill while still helping the USA
RM