Retired colonel says military entrance exam should have Spanish option Email This Story Print This Story

A retired colonel says the military should boost its sagging recruitment efforts by letting Spanish-speaking immigrants take the entrance exam in their language.
Why stop there? Why not offer it in every language if we want to get a few extra soldiers? My main problem with this would be soldiers in the field. They have to communicate and since this is an English speaking army, I don't think supporting another language would be the right move to make. If I joined, say, the German army, I wouldn't expect them to learn *my* language. Everyone should have the same chance to join the military if they are part of this country. If they want to include more people they can offer free English classes to get them to the level they need to be at to pass the test. They do it for almost every other area of testing.


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posted at 15:35:52 on 08/08/05 - Category: Army

Article Opinions

keith stone wrote:

English ONLY!!
HOO RAAH !!!!!!
Posted on 08/15/05 18:06:08

rafael wrote:

have any way to an immigrant that dont has a full english join in the america army ?
Posted on 11/16/06 22:27:43

RhettWilson wrote:

Hey,
Great stuff here!
I'll definitely bookmark this place and come back soon.

Rhett
Posted on 05/01/07 22:12:36

mamta wrote:

Dear sir i went 2 know obout the exams.
Posted on 09/18/07 03:30:59

Barbie wrote:

Give me a break! The US Army Should have a Spanish option on the military entrance exam? Last I knew US stood for United States not Understand Spansh! We are the friggin United STates of America. The United STates Army. I love the Spanish Language. I love all that speak it. But just because someone that lives in the US speaks it doesn't mean the US Army should offer it. Next will be have a Russian, German, French and or African Tribal Language option. Give me a break! We are in America, fighting for Americans that live in America and our language is English. Let's keep it that way. I'm stationed in Germany trying to learn German as an American and the Germans are learning English in thier SChools. English is the language to know. Know it or Go or don't speak. The End!
Posted on 12/18/07 06:18:50

mikayla thomas wrote:

why do you kill people because its just wronng
Posted on 04/06/08 15:49:47

ken wrote:

how the hell would the other troops understand the ignorant ____s if they dont speak ENGLISH!? if they dont have the intelligence or respect to learn english, let them try and get in, theyll fail and i still wont have to worry about them looking after my back, so this doesnt effect me, just a waste money in my eyes.
Posted on 05/11/08 23:25:03

maria k wrote:

my answer would be no the army gives their orders in english the langauge of this country . it has always been that way and the fact that we are lowering the army is deplorable
Posted on 05/30/08 08:33:11

Junior wrote:

Look here people. I think it's a bad idea. On the contrary, I think that there should be more emphasis placed on the programs the services have. What embarrasses me is when I attend a professional meeting and the speaker is someone who is not even close to being average in speaking basic 8th grade english. These are Comisioned Officers who may not know that they are being talked about behind close doors because the recepients have to go back and re-read reports, presentation slides, background information just because they missed something during the disturbing briefings. I think we can do better than that in a professional organization.
Posted on 06/18/08 11:38:45

big john wrote:

Mikayla; Military people exist to allow you to have that wrong-headed opinion. If it wasn't for people of a rough persuasion willing to do the dirty work to hold civilization together, somebody possibly named mohammed, or achmed, would be slapping you around for even presuming to speak.

That said, if someone wants to join a nation's military, they should be able to swear the loyalty oath in that nation's language.

I'm sorry to go back to the off-topic. Mikayla, the older I get, the more I'm disturbed by clueless attitudes like yours.

"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine, where an individual accepts all the benefits of society, but refuses to own up to their responsibilities, then claims a halo for their dishonesty." ----Robert Heinlein
Posted on 07/01/08 14:17:10

Dethygoosse wrote:

this bonus ;)
Posted on 07/02/08 05:36:32

Dolores wrote:

When my son served in Germany, he came back after being there 9 years speaking fluent German. He actually took college course there, passed Geometry taught in German. If he goes to Mexico or Spain he will learn Spanish. If you live in America you should learn English. And I really don't want to have my country defended by someone who does not understand commands in English.
Posted on 07/07/08 13:58:37

American from Spain wrote:

Hello Barbie, so what exactly do you think America was built upon?
We(speaking as an american)didnt have only the english language when our ancestors came to America. America is all about diversity, and I strongly believe that the test should be based upon all of our ancestors languages...The spanish language is proved historically to be one of the oldest languages in history...What if Jesus Christ himself wanted to join the army?? what we tell him, no you have to speak english, I truly dont believe Jesus christ could speak english.......come on people...........it has to be english sounds like you have to white and no other origin either......venga ya, por el amor de dios!!
Posted on 08/09/08 09:39:58

McSGT wrote:

A soldiers job, simply put, is to be able to shoot, move and COMMUNICATE. If you cant speak enough english to pass the asvab, then how will you ever be able to call in a 9 line, give sit-reps, tell EOD where the UXO is, etc, etc. The Army demands conformity in the ranks to accomplish the mission as a team. If the team cant communicate effectively with each other, then the team breaks down, and soldiers die. Dont believe me? embed yourself with IA, and dont bring a terp, see how effective a war fighter you are. I would also be remiss if i didnt confront the American from spain. Your logic is flawed and your history incorrect. First off, Spainish is no where even close to being one of the oldest languages. Spainish is based on Latin, the language of the Romans. So is French, Italian, Portugeuse, and Romanian. Thats why South/Central America is called Latin America..it is a distinction based on language. So Spainish didnt come into being until after the fall of rome..around 400AD, not that old when you consider Aramaic, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian, Gaelic, or Chinese! Secondly, Jesus spoke the "English" of the ancient world, which was Greek, Greek was the international language then, like English is now. Thats why the new testament was written in Greek. Jesus also spoke Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin! When Paul went to Greece to teach, what do you think he spoke...thats right Greek. You are right, Jesus probably didnt speak English, because English, like Spainish, wasnt a language then! (that isnt to say he couldnt speak it, but either argument is impossible to prove and a waste of time because it is not germaine) Consequently, to join the Roman army, you had to speak Latin. Thirdly, Spainish is not a race of people, nor is it a national orgin. As such, not wanting non english speaking soldiers in the US Army is the only concern. Any assertion of a racial agenda is on either side is derissive and frankly a cheap attempt to win the argument with aspersions rather than clear, thought out logic.
Posted on 08/09/08 23:10:54

Bob Brown wrote:

NO NO NO NO NO, If you member of the United State Army and the lanuage is English, then take the the test in English.
Posted on 09/06/08 19:05:47

rodolfo wrote:

callense hijos de putaa!!!
racist
i will join to the army
with or without english
the same shhhit
Posted on 02/23/09 18:20:20

Stuart wrote:

If you join the army it would be nice for everyone to speak english but it ant right to keep people out because they dont. You can let them take class to learn it and half the time the people who dont speak english learn how to by just beeing around people.
Posted on 09/29/09 10:59:11

me wrote:

okay well look im american by birth im in the army but its just stupid the way all of you think because when theres people from other contries that dont speak english trying to defend the us its crazy because i dont see all the "all american" geting in the army thats just my 2 cent like it or not im just saying ima keep talking spanish because thats what im fighting for freedom right lol now yall have a good day or night
Posted on 10/05/09 18:12:24

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