Unit 3: Major Writing Assignment 3
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annotated-Unit20220Major20Writing20Assignment202.docx.pdf
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Roderick Hooks
EN 105: Major Writing Assignment 2
September 6, 2019
The purpose of this writing assignment is to explain to the audience the difficulties of
switching from the language of my job in the United States Army to the language I use now in
the civilian sector. There are many difficulties switching lanaguages and being able to explain
those difficulities is an honor. The challegnes I face while writing this essay is trying to
encompass all the difference and challenges within this assignment. Possessing the ability to
adapt quickly from the two langauages is a absolute requirement. I hope to recevieve feedback to
help improve my essay, writing ability, and for my instructor to fully understand my description
of the two languages.
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Roderick Hooks
EN 105: Major Writing Assignment 2
September 6, 2019
“Sorry, I don’t understand”
Sorry, I don’t understand is a common phrase I hear when trying to explain situations in the
civilian sector, mainly because of the difficulties of switching languages. Serving in the Army allowed me
to learn its unique language, which includes a plethora of acronyms, and small phrases in which
everyone understands, for example the word “tracking” is used by Soldiers to relay to anyone that we
understand whatever they’re talking about. Transitioning from the Military to a Civilian was hard to
overcome, at times I would have to recite what I wanted to say in my head, and then civilianize it as
much as I can, so I can be properly understood.
Veterans have a tough time switching languages going into the civilian sector, from completely
reformatting our resumes and replacing any Military verbiage with it’s civilian meaning, and then when
speaking in a conference or just a meeting, the way a veteran explains a situation is more talored
towoards a mission, for example I was briefing or having a meeting with my team, and I had to discuss
the overall projections of productiviity. This was the first time a language barrier was present at my
current job, my meeting was well planned and organized but usage of phrases such as “get with your
leadership so they can relay a plan of action” had to be rephrased to “get with your supervisor if you
have any questions” . I have a few member of my team that are also members of the veteran
community, that understand me when I speak or relay any information, but just like over 80% of the
associates don’t understand me, they also don’t understand the few in my community.
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My communtiy use a unique concept that most civilians arent exposed to. Some of us are self
explanotory while others are very cyrtic, but each have a specific and important meaning. The language
my communtiy uses is a biproduct of how we are trained and how we effectiviely communicate to each
other. I feel the civilian sector doesn’t quite understand that we as a community are trained 24/7 for
years upon years on how to communciate, so when we transition it should be more of a open are
welcome rather than having us change the way that makes us who we are. Some common
misudersatanding include not hiring one of us because of the perceived disconnect between us,
normally thinking we are strict and walk around yelling our military language. The sterotyping is very
real and needs to end, because the veteran communtiy are willing to change the way we communicate,
because we are trained to adapt and communicate to achieve a common goal, so by allowing us to be
us will improve the transition of the two languages.
My communtity values communciation a lot, without communication we feel lost and betrayed,
because we must know whats going on at all times. When communicating we like to use less words with
more meaning to limit the time of talking to increase the time of action. Ludwig Wittgenstein quote “
the limits of my language mean the limits of my world” really touched me deep because I felt the same
at one point. When he stated this he meant that outside of what he could understand in regards to his
language, is the limit to his understanding, for example is what he knows is what he knows, nothing else.
His statement really had myself exploring more outside of my language to really prepare myself for the
civilian world, so I wouldn’t find myself in the limits of my language.
Overall, the language barrier between the civilian sector and military has been a challenge, but
they both have their similarities when it comes to basic communication, but the key is to ensure your
way of relaying any information would be well received by the other community, don’t every assume
that they understand what you’re referring to or you will be in for a surprise.
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