huzza

I think these are all quality programs, but the most important part about learning a language is that it warms the heart of the native-speaker that you took the time to learn about their language, and culture. You'd be surprised the amount of Iraqi's who actually will speak English if they're receptive to you, and their dismissive attitude nature towards you if you do not even speak a little Arabic, after all, "You do have colleges' in America, yes?' These phrases are great, but do I think a large amount of soldier's can synthesize it correctly without a large amount of effort, no. Most likely they will jumble it up to something of the effect of, "Sister, please come here so I may hurt you.' Seek out someone from a local university or mosque, and be as passionate about it as your are Medecine, and you will not regret it. The more you learn the more fun it will become; and you may meet some Iranian/Iraqi expatriates who love America as much as you do. I would say learning Arabic in today's military could be considered a professional obligation if you consider you may spend half your career in the Middle-East.

khoda hafez,

George