Military teaches English for good reason

I am Air Force Col. Jeff Cooper, the commandant of the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC). Our ability to build alliances globally is based on our government’s desire to establish and maintain strong relationships with diverse leaders throughout the world to secure American interests.

I read a recent letter in the Bradenton Herald titled “U.S. military overly generous in training Saudis, Mexicans.” I am pleased to correct the record.

The U.S. Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency manages billions of dollars in foreign military sales. Our allies buy our weapon systems because the USA is a reliable and powerful security partner.

Our allies also buy technical training for their service members who will maintain the equipment. These international students train at technical training sites across our country. This has been DLIELC’s mission for over 60 years, training global security partners English to prepare them for technical training with our airmen. Annually, we train 2,500 students from over 100 countries who worship a variety of religions. We do it with professionalism and respect for their beliefs.

Our partner nations pay for the training up front, including the food, lodging and tuition for their students. The food is the same quality we feed Air Force basic military trainees. The lodging facilities are the same used by U.S. technical training airmen at JBSA-Lackland. At DLIELC, we are building bridges through communication and peace through understanding.

The U.S. Army has a program that recruits American citizens for whom English is a second language. At DLIELC, we enhance the English skills for these recruits before they are sent to Army Basic Combat Training.

We are proud of our veterans and we appreciate your vigilance on defense issues. I hope this clarifies some of the concerns raised in Bradenton recently.

For more information, visit the DLIELC website at dlielc.edu

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Military teaches English for good reason."