The Former Marine

After the mission in Ukraine, where Derek had put his newly acquired Russian skills to good use, he felt that the decision to expand his language arsenal had been critical to his success. The impact of speaking the enemy's language, or even that of civilians in a conflict zone, made all the difference in covert and clandestine operations. It was with this mindset that Derek decided to take the next step.

Spanish was an obvious choice. With Latin America a growing concern for the United States due to drug trafficking, paramilitary groups, and unstable regimes, Derek knew that Spanish could be extremely useful. Furthermore, the number of Hispanics in the United States was considerable, and learning the language could open doors for missions both abroad and at home.

"Another language, Rogan?" Sam asked as the team prepared for yet another field exercise. "Didn't you just learn Russian?"

"Yes," Derek replied, as he adjusted his tactical vest. "But Spanish makes sense. We're seeing an increase in operations in Latin America, and if I can talk to the locals, it could make an even bigger difference than the Russian did in Ukraine."

Sam shook his head, smiling.

"You always have these self-taught ideas, man. How do you find time for all this?"

"Time is something we make," Derek shrugged, picking up his backpack. "And if I wait around for time, I'll miss opportunities."

Jones, another member of the team, chimed in.

"I hear the missions in Mexico and Colombia are ramping up. The drug war is getting more complicated, and the government has been asking for more American help."

Derek nodded.

"Exactly. And I'd rather be prepared when that happens."

Jones gave a thoughtful smile.

"Yeah, I could see you negotiating with some drug dealer in Spanish, convincing him to surrender with your charm and fluency."

Derek laughed.

"Let's see if I can make that happen."

Derek's first step in learning Spanish was the same as he had with Russian: immersion. He bought books, language apps, and spent hours listening to podcasts and recordings in Spanish. The difference with Spanish, however, was that he already had some familiarity with the language. He had grown up hearing a few words here and there, especially living in a society as multicultural as America. Plus, there were plenty of soldiers and sailors on military bases who were fluent in the language.

During his downtime, Derek began chatting with some of the Latinos in his unit, practicing simple sentences and exchanging ideas about grammar and vocabulary. They laughed at his mistakes, but they also encouraged him, gently correcting him and helping him improve. One night, after a long practice session, his friend Morales, a Marine of Mexican descent, approached him.

"Derek, you're picking it up fast," Morales said, impressed. "You have a good pronunciation, you just need to get used to the rhythm of the conversation."

"Thanks, Morales," Derek replied in Spanish, slightly accented but understandable. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."

"That's good, man," Morales replied. "But remember, in the field, you're going to encounter different accents. Someone from Colombia sounds different than someone from Mexico, and someone from Cuba sounds different than everyone else."

Derek nodded. "I'll have to get used to that too, but it's good to know."

Morales smiled broadly. "If you need more practice, come find me. I'll teach you some slang."

The weeks passed, and Derek continued to practice tirelessly. His learning routine included short conversations with his Latino friends, hours of studying with apps and books, and even watching soap operas and movies in Spanish, trying to understand as much as possible. He found that fluency was coming more quickly than with Russian, probably because Spanish had roots in common with English and was also more present in his daily life.

Soon, a new opportunity arose.

One morning, the captain walked into the meeting room, his expression serious and focused. "Gentlemen, we have a new mission. We'll be teaming up with Colombian special forces for an operation deep in cartel-controlled territory."

Derek looked up immediately. This was the kind of mission he'd been preparing for.

"The situation in southern Colombia is spiraling out of control," the captain continued. "The cartels are establishing bases in rural areas and controlling much of the drug trade in the region. The Colombian government has requested direct U.S. support to help dismantle these operations."

"Anything we should know, sir?" Sam asked, always skeptical of new missions.

"You'll be working closely with the Colombian police and military," the captain replied. "This will be a joint operation. We'll need to be careful with communication and civilian involvement. Which is why I need to know, does anyone here speak Spanish?"

Derek held up his hand.

"I speak basic Spanish, sir. I've been studying it for a few months."

The captain nodded.

"Good to know, Rogan. We're going to need you. Having someone who speaks Spanish will give us an edge in negotiations and interacting with local forces."

Derek felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. This was the chance he'd been waiting for—to put what he'd been learning into practice and test his language skills in a real-world setting.

The military plane rocked slightly as the team approached their destination in Colombia. Derek sat next to Morales, reviewing a few phrases he might use. The sound of the engines and the pre-mission tension were familiar, but this time there was an extra element of anxiety: the language.

"Relax, man," Morales said, sensing Derek's nervousness. "You've trained hard. This should be a piece of cake."

"I hope so," Derek replied, trying to calm himself. "I want to make sure I understand everything when we get out there."

"You will," Morales assured him. "And if you don't, just wing it. That's what we do best, right?"

Derek laughed. "That's true."

As soon as they landed at the Colombian base, Derek was immediately put to the test. During the briefing with the local commanders, he translated some instructions for his team and communicated directly with the Colombian soldiers. His pronunciation was not perfect, but it was clear enough to be understood.

"I think you were born for this, Derek," Sam said as they prepared for their first raid. "Not only are you good in combat, but you are now our official translator."

Derek smiled, although he felt the weight of responsibility. He knew that the next few hours would be crucial, and his ability to communicate in Spanish could mean the difference between success and failure.

Derek put his skills to good use in his first operation against the cartel. Entering a small village controlled by the criminals, he used Spanish to negotiate the surrender of some armed men, convincing them that resistance would be futile. Although it was not an easy mission, the confidence he had built in his language skills allowed him to handle the situation with calm and precision.

Back at base, after the successful operation, the captain approached Derek. "Good work today, Rogan. Your ability to speak the language made a big difference."

"Thank you, sir," Derek said, pleased. "I still have a lot to learn, but I'm glad I could help."

"Keep it up," the captain replied. "We never know where our next mission will be, but it's always best to be prepared."

Derek nodded. He knew this was just the beginning, and that every language he learned, every skill he developed, would make him an even more lethal and versatile operator.