TN commandos to learn sign language at school for the deaf

[Miss-Delectable]

TN commandos to learn sign language at school for the deaf - Chennai - City - The Times of India

They have learnt combat from the US Marines and tactics from war veterans. Now, they will learn a vital mode of communication from a Chennai-based school for the deaf. Personnel of the Tamil Nadu Commando Force will take lessons from the CSI Higher Secondary School here on sign language to communicate with each other during anti-terrorist operations. The 40-day training will begin on January 18.

NSG commandos, like their counterparts in the US Marines and Navy Seals, have their own sign language, but each sign conveys only one word or an idea. The sign language of the hearing impaired, on the other hand, can be used to quickly convey meanings of long sentences, a vital attribute for commandos during high-voltage operation. For example, using sign language, it takes barely five seconds to convey the sentence ‘you go upstairs, I will follow you with more ammunition.’

“We have shortlisted a vocabulary of 1,000 words, which the commandos will be trained in,” said a senior officer.

The aim of the course is to evolve a common pattern of signs corresponding to various situations, which the force is likely to encounter during a terror attack. “When a platoon tries to attack a terrorist base, we cannot use communication equipment as it might alert the enemy. This is where sign language comes in; members of the platoon will be able to communicate with each other on the positions of snipers, number of terrorists and the kind of weapons they have,” said the officer. Incidentally, during the 26/11 attacks, the terrorists were unable to decipher the signs used by the NSG forces.

CSI School headmaster J Justin is excited about the training programme, especially since his students will have an opportunity to meet the special forces personnel. “Our students will be motivated to see them. I conducted a one-day training for the commandos about 45 days ago. They grasped things easily and were keen on learning sign language.

 

[shel90]

If the soldiers start using sign language during an attack, then deaf people should be able to join the armed forces.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

If the soldiers start using sign language during an attack, then deaf people should be able to join the armed forces.

Israel allows Deaf people.

I was told if I wanted to serve by someone in the Canadian Forces, I would have to work hard to get into the French Foreign Legion as well.

 

[Bottesini]

If the soldiers start using sign language during an attack, then deaf people should be able to join the armed forces.

That is what I think. THey could have whole deaf squads with one or two hearing interpreters.

 

[Reba]

If the soldiers start using sign language during an attack, then deaf people should be able to join the armed forces.

Commandos don't depend on sign language full time. Deaf people depend on sign language or other accommodations full time. That's the difference.

Also, while the commandos are using sign language, they are using it with other commandos who know their signs. They are a small, elite group using sign language for specific missions. If Deaf people joined the military, most of the other people with whom they have to communicate wouldn't know sign languages.

I'm afraid the US military services won't be opening up to Deaf volunteers any time soon.

 

[shel90]

Commandos don't depend on sign language full time. Deaf people depend on sign language or other accommodations full time. That's the difference.

Also, while the commandos are using sign language, they are using it with other commandos who know their signs. They are a small, elite group using sign language for specific missions. If Deaf people joined the military, most of the other people with whom they have to communicate wouldn't know sign languages.

I'm afraid the US military services won't be opening up to Deaf volunteers any time soon.

What about assigning deaf people to these kinds of missions?

I think it is great that they hired deaf people to teach them sign language but it did have me scratching my head there.

 

[Reba]

That is what I think. THey could have whole deaf squads with one or two hearing interpreters.

Even specialized squads have to communicate and interact with other people in their chain of command.

I'm curious; in your scenario, would the terps also be military volunteers or contract civilian employees? Would their primary duty be interpreting?

 

[faire_jour]

What about assigning deaf people to these kinds of missions?

I think it is great that they hired deaf people to teach them sign language but it did have me scratching my head there.

What about understanding commands from their chain of command? How are they going to understand the "on the fly" commands? Just because they use sign for one operation in which they need to be quiet, does not get rid of all the other problems.

 

[shel90]

What about understanding commands from their chain of command? How are they going to understand the "on the fly" commands? Just because they use sign for one operation in which they need to be quiet, does not get rid of all the other problems.

They were talking about learning sign language...a whole language. If they just wanted signals, they wouldnt have had lessons in ASL. I think deaf people can handle missions using basic sign language.

 

[faire_jour]

They were talking about learning sign language...a whole language. If they just wanted signals, they wouldnt have had lessons in ASL. I think deaf people can handle missions using basic sign language.

The article says they are learning 1,000 basic signs. And it is one very small group, how would they communicate with the other 500,000 people in the Army?

 

[Reba]

What about assigning deaf people to these kinds of missions?

I think it is great that they hired deaf people to teach them sign language but it did have me scratching my head there.

"Commandos" (Special Forces, Green Berets, SEALS, etc.) are chosen for their highly specialized abilities, and must survive rigorous training, then they learn additional skills such as sign language. They have to have sharp senses, great physical strength and endurance, high intelligence, quick reflexes, clean backgrounds, agility, and ability to quickly learn new skills. Of course, Deaf people have all those attributes too, except for sharp hearing. Unfortunately, hearing is an important component in their missions. One has to be able to hear every little sound, and at the same time, not make any sounds.

 

[shel90]

"Commandos" (Special Forces, Green Berets, SEALS, etc.) are chosen for their highly specialized abilities, and must survive rigorous training, then they learn additional skills such as sign language. They have to have sharp senses, great physical strength and endurance, high intelligence, quick reflexes, clean backgrounds, agility, and ability to quickly learn new skills. Of course, Deaf people have all those attributes too, except for sharp hearing. Unfortunately, hearing is an important component in their missions. One has to be able to hear every little sound, and at the same time, not make any sounds.

What about deaf people with CIs? I keep reading about some of them saying that they hear like hearing people and since I dont have a CI, I cant dispute their experiences. However, having said that, if they can "hear" like hearing people, would they be eligible for military operations like the one you described?

I am not arguing with you here and I have no desire to join the military but I know so many deaf people who have expressed a desire to help fight for our country's freedom and feel like crap that they cant.

 

[shel90]

The article says they are learning 1,000 basic signs. And it is one very small group, how would they communicate with the other 500,000 people in the Army?

Since I am no expert with military operations and I am very ignorant here...what about being assigned for a specific operation with specific people and just only have to report to them?

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

I am not arguing with you here and I have no desire to join the military but I know so many deaf people who have expressed a desire to help fight for our country's freedom and feel like crap that they cant.

Heh... sound like me when I was 17. That was a major bummer for me. I got turned down because the bloodworks wasn't to their desire.

Of course... then I gave way I am also deaf.... Was told to join the French, Israeli... or serve the RCMP.

 

[faire_jour]

Since I am no expert with military operations and I am very ignorant here...what about being assigned for a specific operation with specific people and just only have to report to them?

You can't. You have someone over you, and someone over them, and so on and on until you reach the president. You need to take orders from everyone.

For example, my husband had his sgt, but then there was also his Staff Sgt, and then his Lt, and then his Captain, and on and on. He had to take orders from each of these people, every day.

How would they understand the directions given in a formation?

As for a CI, what about in basic training when you couldn't wear your device, or when it's raining? How would you charge the batteries in the field?

There are lots of issues.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Since I am no expert with military operations and I am very ignorant here...what about being assigned for a specific operation with specific people and just only have to report to them?

A lot of the time they are in situations where they are not allowed to make noise. SAS and SASR are (British special forces, and Australian special forces respectfully) famous for this... going for a few weeks without speaking or making a single noise.

Can you hear yourself making noises in the bush? Can tell if your squadmate is making too much noise?

What if your CI fails in the field? A lot of them the missions are going to be wet and involve rain. Often don't have back-up support for days on end.

 

[shel90]

A lot of the time they are in situations where they are not allowed to make noise. SAS and SASR are (British special forces, and Australian special forces respectfully) famous for this... going for a few weeks without speaking or making a single noise.

Can you hear yourself making noises in the bush? Can tell if your squadmate is making too much noise?

What if your CI fails in the field? A lot of them the missions are going to be wet and involve rain. Often don't have back-up support for days on end.

good point about the rain...there was one thread about one person's issue with the rain and performing in the band. I totally forgot about that.

 

[shel90]

You can't. You have someone over you, and someone over them, and so on and on until you reach the president. You need to take orders from everyone.

For example, my husband had his sgt, but then there was also his Staff Sgt, and then his Lt, and then his Captain, and on and on. He had to take orders from each of these people, every day.

How would they understand the directions given in a formation?

As for a CI, what about in basic training when you couldn't wear your device, or when it's raining? How would you charge the batteries in the field?

There are lots of issues.

Like I told Souggy, duh me! I totally forgot about the rain issues. You and Souggy both have good points.

Just trying to understand the whole situation here better as the article made it sound like that sign language was all that was needed for these specific operations.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Like I told Souggy, duh me! I totally forgot about the rain issues. You and Souggy both have good points.

Just trying to understand the whole situation here better as the article made it sound like that sign language was all that was needed for these specific operations.

Go to page 14:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-10/appa.pdf

They just want to adopt a military hand signal in India. The US military doesn't need a new system because they already developed a manual and a system for this.

 

[Reba]

Israel allows Deaf people....

I've seen that posted in several threads but I can never find an authoritative source. Do you have a source for that?

I did find out that a hearing son of deaf parents in Israel can be exempt from combat service. That seems odd.
Fallen IDF soldier Banai defied deaf parents to join combat unit - Haaretz - Israel News

I found this:

"The health profile (physical and psychological assessment) as required is evaluated by the IDF Recruitment Bureau. Generally, men with high health profiles will serve in combat units such as the Nahal Infantry Brigade and those with low health profiles in non-combat jobs. In any case, your unit will be determined by the IDF depending on the army's needs and your personal abilities and ambitions. Women usually serve in non-combat units, if they do not choose to serve in a combat unit."
Mahal - Who Can Volunteer for Service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)?

Mahal - Volunteer for the IDF - Join the Israeli Army

It seems that Israel has such a category as "non-combat" jobs that are available, so maybe that's what they do.