The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force were assisted by language interpreters during Iron Fist 2013, a bilateral training exercise designed to increase interoperability between the two services.

"Translate this for me," is what U.S. Marines and Sailors were often heard to say while working alongside members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) during Exercise Iron Fist 2013. In reality, the Marine or Sailor was asking for a verbal Japanese to English interpretation.

During the joint exercise, members of both services successfully conducted combined arms, amphibious and mechanized warfare training at several military facilities in Southern California.

Yet a language barrier between the two militaries presented some challenges. Fortunately, language interpreters were able to breach this obstacle allowing participants to enhance military-to-military relations and sharpen their crisis response skills, which of course required clear communications between U.S. forces and the JGSDF.

"My role here is to assist the [JGSDF] to better understand what goes on during this exercise," said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryusuke Kurachi, a native of Japan, hospital corpsmen and interpreter for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

"This is the first time the [JGSDF] has done this type of training on such a scale so they rely on me a lot to put the pieces together for them," he continued.

Another language interpreter, Marine reservist Lance Cpl. Sungwoo Hur, who is also a riflemen with 2nd Battalion 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, enjoys being around the JGSDF. Hur speaks three languages: Korean, English and Japanese. He learned to speak Japanese as his designated language course in high school.

"It’s exciting working with the [JGSDF],” said Hur, a native of Seoul, South Korea.

“It’s cool to see how they work. I respect their discipline and I’ve had a great time working with the [JGSDF].”

The success of Iron Fist 2013 can be attributed in part to the contributions of these and other language interpreters who served during the exercise. Their work helped to bridge the language and cultural gap allowing all participants to learn and benefit from the training.

More information on Iron Fist 2013 may be obtained at this website.

By Alex Dupont
Marketing Communications Specialist
Language Translation Inc.

See Also

• Language Interpreting is the process of translating spoken words from one language into another.
  Language interpreters facilitated communications between U.S. forces and the JGSDF during Iron Fist 2013 contributed to the overall success of the exercise.
• Translators help Marines, JGSDF understand each other for Exercise Iron Fist 2013
  Marines, Sailors, and members of the JGSDF participated in numerous training exercises to enhance military-to-military relations and sharpen crisis response skills.