Military translators in, out

WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army announced Thursday it added 37 Middle Eastern linguists to its ranks, part of an effort to close gaps in critical intelligence skills.

On the same day, however, it was revealed the military has let go three Arabic linguists for being homosexual. They were swept up in an inspector general's audit of troop misuse of government computer systems; messages they posted suggested to investigators some of the troops were homosexual, according to the Michael D. Palm Center, formerly known as the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The military's "don't ask don't tell" policy allows homosexuals in the armed forces, but only if they do not act on or talk about their sexual orientation.

At least 300 troops with critical language skills have been separated from the military under the policy in the last decade, according to the Government Accountability Office. More than half spoke Arabic.

To rapidly turn out skilled linguists, the Army program recruits native speakers with demonstrated proficiency in English who are permanent U.S. residents and can pass security background checks. They must meet physical standards and are put through basic training and then seven weeks of advanced training.

The Army is trying to recruit 250 such soldiers in fiscal year 2007. Such soldiers can get expedited citizenship, enlistment bonuses and tuition assistance for college.