The US Army recruits mainly domestic translators for Arabic and other critical foreign languages via special recruitment operations which began in 2003. The early requirements for translators failed to be met (for 85 Arabic translator positions, only 58 applicants were successful), however the figures started to improve over time: in 2004, 221 Arabic translators were hired for 250 openings, whilst in 2007 all 250 positions were filled.
This increase in the number of translators for Arabic languages is, of course, due in part to the military efforts in the Middle East by the US Army. When applying for a job in the military, all would-be translators have their backgrounds and health carefully checked. They must be American residents, speak decent English and be aged between 17 and 42. They can expect to participate in campaigns in Iraq and other areas in the Middle East, so they will hardly be desk clerks.
Arabic language translators and recruiters hired by the US Army usually stay undercover in their own cities, due to the mistrust their job earns them from Arab residents in the United States. While this mistrust is not so strong now as it was at the beginning of the war, Arab translators have to get used to receiving offensive comments from their neighbours, in shops and even from family members. Their motivation for staying in the Army is strong, however: other job prospects are quite poor for many of them, the pay is great, and they contribute to the well-being of the local populations in war zones.
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