Fighter pilots, infantry officers, Arabic translators and other specialists have been discharged at a time when our nation is engaged in two wars.

Aamer worked as an Arabic translator for London law firms.

Sahl ibn Bishr is thought to be the first Arabic translator.

But a chronic shortage of proficient Arabic translators is now especially acute.

So if 10 companies say they each have 20 Arabic translators, they may be sharing the same pool of 20 people, company executives said.

The result was the termination of our careers, and the loss to the military of two more Arabic translators.

"With all due respect, sir, our Arabic translators are seriously overworked and dangerously backlogged."

Field office chiefs were also told to hire more Arabic translators and develop better sources of information.

Then an Arabic translator present in court ensured that the accused could follow proceedings.

In this case, board officials said they planned to bring in Arabic translators with technical experience.