Afghan interpreter fulfills dream of becoming a US Marine

Mohammad Nadir’s journey to becoming a U.S. Marine started during his childhood.  

Growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, among a strong military presence, Nadir was drawn to the military, according to a Marine Corps news story. This interest only grew after he graduated high school and discovered there were private companies hiring Afghan locals to work as interpreters. 

"This was my chance to be around the military," Nadir said in the story. 

Nadir departed for Sangin District, Helmand province, Afghanistan where he spent three years working with U.S. military units and serving as a liaison to the local community. 

"I was serving my country and also the United States," Nadir said. 

Nadir applied for Special Immigrant Visas, a program that helps interpreters and their families to move to the U.S. According to the story, it was through that program that Nadir took his first steps on American soil on November 10, 2014 — the Marine Corps birthday — and continued his quest toward becoming a Marine.

Nadir enlisted in the Marine Corps in February 2017 and graduated from MCRD San Diego May 26.