TX: Alert Issued for 17 Afghan Military Members AWOL

[pbwalker]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/17/af ... orce-base/

"I can confirm that 17 have gone missing from the Defense Language Institute," said Gary Emery, Chief of Public Affairs, 37th Training Wing, at Lackland AFB. "They disappeared over the course of the last two years, and none in the last three months."

[baldeagle]

More evidence that our government is incompetent.

[Medic218]

Seems odd that they wouldnt have confinded them to the base after the first 2 or 3....any sensible person could have seen a potential trend forming.
And over two years? Really?
At what point do you say "Hey, i think we have a problem. We should prob keep a closer eye on these guys."
Sleepers.....all Im sayin, you never know.

[Purplehood]

This is called OVERREACTION.

The US Armed Forces have been training foreign national Officers and Enlisted for decades, if not centuries.

Out of the thousands of folks we have trained throughout the years, we have always suffered attrition of these personnel for the exact same reason that we have illegal immigrants crossing the border.

When I was in Afghanistan every single translator/interpreter that we encountered spoke incessantly of getting to the USA.

The 17 mentioned in the article did just that. Got here, and melted into the populace in order to try and fulfill their dreams, or perhaps to flee a nasty regime at home. It ain't right, but it is what is happening in 99% of the cases.

[LarryH]

This is called OVERREACTION.

The US Armed Forces have been training foreign national Officers and Enlisted for decades, if not centuries.

Out of the thousands of folks we have trained throughout the years, we have always suffered attrition of these personnel for the exact same reason that we have illegal immigrants crossing the border.

When I was in Afghanistan every single translator/interpreter that we encountered spoke incessantly of getting to the USA.

The 17 mentioned in the article did just that. Got here, and melted into the populace in order to try and fulfill their dreams, or perhaps to flee a nasty regime at home. It ain't right, but it is what is happening in 99% of the cases.

To quote our friend bdickens:

Maybe

Maybe not

Purplehood, I sincerely hope your theory is correct.

[Purplehood]

This is called OVERREACTION.

The US Armed Forces have been training foreign national Officers and Enlisted for decades, if not centuries.

Out of the thousands of folks we have trained throughout the years, we have always suffered attrition of these personnel for the exact same reason that we have illegal immigrants crossing the border.

When I was in Afghanistan every single translator/interpreter that we encountered spoke incessantly of getting to the USA.

The 17 mentioned in the article did just that. Got here, and melted into the populace in order to try and fulfill their dreams, or perhaps to flee a nasty regime at home. It ain't right, but it is what is happening in 99% of the cases.

To quote our friend bdickens:

Maybe

Maybe not

Purplehood, I sincerely hope your theory is correct.

Well, that is why I said 99%. I have to cover my rear.

[skub]

According to Fox News, seven have been accounted for

"Sources said that as of November 2009, one of the deserters was in Canada, one is now a lawful permanent resident in the U.S., one has left the country and another four are in federal custody and in removal proceedings. The other 10 remain unaccounted for."

Link - http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/06/18/ex ... orce-base/

[Lodge2004]

This is called OVERREACTION.

Agreed. I grew up next to Lackland and had friends in the Iranian Navy who I played soccer with. When the Shah was overthrown, they were desperate to stay in the U.S. for obvious reasons. During my Basic Course, a Lebanese Officer had the same issues when Lebanon blew up in the early 80's. The militiary exchange students I've met were good people who wanted the best for their country. After spending time in the US, if things are really bad back home, they tend to start looking for ways to stay.

There are bad apples in every bunch, but I'd be much more concerned with the person smuggled accross the border than I would the foreign soldier who is attending a military school in the US.

[Grog]

There are plenty of bases overseas. I say use them for teaching "whatever they feel the need to teach" to foreign folks.

[OldCannon]

Agreed. I grew up next to Lackland and had friends in the Iranian Navy who I played soccer with. When the Shah was overthrown, they were desperate to stay in the U.S. for obvious reasons. During my Basic Course, a Lebanese Officer had the same issues when Lebanon blew up in the early 80's. The militiary exchange students I've met were good people who wanted the best for their country. After spending time in the US, if things are really bad back home, they tend to start looking for ways to stay.

There are bad apples in every bunch, but I'd be much more concerned with the person smuggled accross the border than I would the foreign soldier who is attending a military school in the US.

My experience is much the same as yours. I definitely remember the turmoil in Iran, and there were several Iranian military people who were TERRIFIED of going back. I worry more bout the ones that can sneak in through "New Gaza" than the ones that come here through military exchange programs.

[Cobra Medic]

Cancel the access cards. It's not rocket surgery.

[OldSchool]

Given that all we know about this seems to have come from Fox News (I'm paying no attention to them these days), I suspect PurpleHood has the right idea; I also suspect the correct term is not "AWOL" in this case.

In the last century, we called it "defecting to the US," by everyone from consulate employees to ballet dancers. IOW, as much as we criticize the country in which we're living (our right, privilege and duty), there are still millions who will risk everything to come here.

[jmorris]

There are plenty of bases overseas. I say use them for teaching "whatever they feel the need to teach" to foreign folks.

The Defense Language Institute English Language Center at Lackland is *the* DoD center for foreign military members (and civilians I believe). Individuals have to be nominated by their government and then issued an invite by one of the services. The purpose goes beyond just learning English. For example, the PME course.

"PME stands for Professional Military Education. This course is designed to address the language and academic skills that students attending various officer and war colleges need. The course focuses on formal presentation skills, speaking in a seminar setting, academic reading, and research paper preparation. "

Thousands attend, from all over the world. And the Afghans were not the first to go AWOL by a long shot. I think a country would consider it an insult if we basically said "we don't trust your officers enough to let them in the US".