Military Mix Master

One of the things I really like about the military is that people of different ethnic extractions mix together and with a completely American attitude. Get’er done, Dude!

A few years ago, I was on training trip with a squadron from California and almost everyone had been born some place other than Mayberry USA. The Philippines, Venezuela, Thailand, Mexico, India, Vietnam, and then there were those of Chinese extraction, Laos, and a host of other places. Caucasians were defiantly in the minority.

One physician, a woman who was raised and trained in Taiwan, was timid and spoke very little. When she spoke, her accent was so thick, it was difficult to understand her. We ended up sitting together in class and during many of the exercises. Toward the end she turned to me and said very clearly, "You have a funny accent". Cracked me up!

When I was in Kuwait I was privileged to work with one of the best NCOs ever! He was from Vietnam and had come to America when he was about seven. His trip had been difficult; his family of 10 had split up in hopes that some of them would survive the treacherous journey out of Nam, threw the camps, and the boatloads of refugees. He and one brother made it. By his own account he became a "very bad person" until he joined the military and got some direction.Now, he has a wife and two little girls who think the sun rises because Daddy wants it to.

For the stellar job he does for the USAF and the country, we couldn’t pay him what he is worth.His English is heavily accented but I could always understand "I already took care of that Boss." Or "Just let me do that, please. I’ll take care of it". And he always did. He could take any job and hand it back with a bow on it.

In Baghdad, I was fortunate to work with one of the finest physicians I’ve ever met. He is a prince of a guy and a talented surgeon. He is also a second generation Japanese American. His father was about eight when he came to the East Coast before WW II. Somehow his family missed the camps, thank goodness.The father grew up and married a teacher. They raised three sons, all of whom became physicians, and all of whom graduated from the AF Academy. All three are still on active duty, have families. All are also specialists is different fields. What a contribution that family has made to our country.

Over the years, I’ve worked with folks from just about every country we have had as allies or enemies. As far as I can tell, it’s a great way to assimilate many divergent groups and the country always benefits.

Besides it’s always nice to have a friend who can explain jokes in different languages, teach what foods are good and what to avoid, teach manners of different cultures and above all, teach all the bad words and when to use them!