Afghanistan, June 17, 2004
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification #: 20046170387
Story by Sgt. Matt Preston
A Marine from MEU Service Support Group 22 is using a unique
gift to assist the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations
Capable) with its mission in Afghanistan.
For his efforts, Lance Cpl. Prashant Shah was recently awarded
a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for using his extraordinary
linguistic skills to assist the MEU to overcome the language
barrier between U.S. forces and Afghan locals at Forward Operating
Base Ripley.
"Being proficient in several languages, he would coordinate
with the drivers and explain to them what to do," said
Lt. Col. Benjamin Braden, MSSG-22 Commanding Officer. "For
a lance corporal, it's a pretty big mission. He's done outstanding."
Shah speaks not two or three, but six languages - English,
Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Urdu, and Pashto. Many of Shah comrades
initially didn't believe his linguistic prowess - until he started
speaking with the natives.
"They say I'm lying," said Shah, speaking of when
he talks to other Marines about his gift. "Then they say,
'Alright, talk to this guy.' Then I do."
Being able to speak in languages the locals can understand,
Shah has been coordinating with numerous local contractors and
trucking agencies that help the construction of Forward Operating
Base Ripley continue.
"He's so vital to the logistics mission here," said
1st Lt. Juan Fernandez, the MSSG-22 supply officer. "Without
him, we couldn't do it. We get about 20-25 jingle trucks a day.
If there's any problems, he'll calm them down."
Part of his skill comes from his upbringing. Originally from
Baroda, India, Shah came to Lincoln Park, N.J., in 2001 with
his mother. India is a land of 14 official languages and even
more dialects.
Many of the languages of the region are related, which allows
Shah to pick up similarities between them quickly. Shah said
he learned Urdu floating across the Atlantic on the way to Afghanistan
by practicing with a fellow Marine who knew the language.
In speaking with the locals, Shah has found the presence of
the Marine Corps and other coalition forces a reassuring factor
in the lives of the Afghanis.
"They like when we're here because they're not attacked,"
said Shah. "We give jobs to the locals. I think we're doing
a great job. They also feel safe on the roads, especially the
truck drivers, because we have checkpoints.
Because of his ethnic background, Shah is a curiosity to local
Afghanis. He's often questioned about his military career.
"The first question they ask is how I joined the Marine
Corps," said Shah. "The second most asked question
is how they can join."
Shah has show great promise with his ambitions in the Marine
Corps.
"He's on a good road for success," said Staff Sgt.
Kirby Wilson, MSSG-22 supply warehouse chief. "He's on
the right path."
Shah is currently pursuing U.S. citizenship in hopes of becoming
eligible for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program
(MECEP) and perhaps one day becoming a Naval aviator.
The 22nd MEU (SOC) is in Afghanistan conducting combat and
civil military operations as Task Force Linebacker for Combined
Joint Task Force 76 in the Oruzgan province.
