Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Association
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Several years ago, a few Marines attempted to form an association of interrogators. Despite their effort and noble intent, the organization did not materialize.
In 2002, with the portend of the interrogator MOS
fading into history, seven former USMC Interrogators began again to talk
about forming an association that would be open to all Marine Interrogators
in order to perpetuate the camaraderie and uniqueness of the Interrogator
Community of the Marine Corps. Several months of emails, telephone calls,
and local meetings in Arizona and California, culminated in "A
Gathering of The Seven" in Las Vegas in January
2003.
The outcome was the formation of the Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Association (MCITTA), defining its purpose and intent, and appointing interim officers. The MCITTA is a fraternal organization formed to promote and honor those individuals that have served in an Interrogator Translator Team in the United States Marine Corps. The MCITTA is open to all ranks of Marine Interrogators— all active duty, reserve, retired and honorably discharged interrogator Marines are welcome.
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The Founding Seven pictured from Left to Right: Jim Riemer, Mitch Paradis, Harry Todd, Jim Haskins, Mike Bianchino, Tim Corrigan, and Howard Young. The group met at the Marine Corps League, Las Vegas Detachment on 14 January 2003 to form the Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Association. |
The MCITTA has been incorporated under the laws of the State of California. We are a tax exempt, non-profit, veterans organization under IRS Section 501c (3) of the code. Presently, MCITTA has no dues or fees for membership. The organization relies solely on member donations for support.
It is our intent to "gather" as a group once a year in a social environment to meet and renew friendships, make new friends, share memories, enjoy a variety of special events, and participate in the gala MCITTA Grand Gathering Dinner and Dance. Again, this is a fraternal organization; therefore the annual Gathering is a reunion, not a convention. Although we gather to enjoy the camaraderie and reminisce, we will hold a business meeting to discuss such matters as the direction we wish to follow, administration, selecting and electing a new slate of team commanders, and to determine the location for the next Gathering.
Additionally, a primary purpose of the MCITTA will be to research and write the history of the Interrogator Translator Teams. We have assumed this task with high spirit to pursue this noble endeavor with the help and input of every Marine Interrogator. This must be done, and be done collectively. The MOS of interrogator/translator only existed for a very few years in the Marine Corps. We were specially trained to extract information from an enemy that was unwilling to give it freely. Many of us were able to do that in the native language of that Prisoner of War. These skills were and remain unique.
The ITT’s themselves were unique consisting of, generally, one officer and twelve enlisted Marines. Almost always these enlisted men were SNCO’s or NCO’s, which furthered our uniqueness. How we deployed was different as well. Generally, we were dispatched to the battalion level in sub teams of one or two interrogators. In this capacity we were usually "at the front" to maximize the effectiveness of any tactical information that was obtained. Many Marine interrogators were wounded and/or received combat decorations for valor in the pursuit of our "trade" —and some made the supreme sacrifice.
These are the characteristics we need to preserve for our Marine Corps history. This history must be documented lest it be forgotten or entrusted to others who do not have the vis-à-vis experience. We must be the ones who will preserve what we developed and perfected.
Through the intimate bonds that we formed while serving in our ITT’s, we hope to rekindle the same spirit of camaraderie within the MCITTA and ensure that our history and contributions to history are not forgotten.
So, too, we wish to remember and honor our departed brothers, especially those who were killed in combat. We intend to accomplish this by creating a Cenotaph, an Honor Roll of Marine Interrogators and conducting a memorial service each year at the Annual Gathering as our obligation to them lest their sacrifice be forgotten.
Though noble in our purpose, we shall always maintain a "fraternal flavor" to our organization that will place us in distinction by remaining outside the sphere of political influence. We shall devote ourselves and our organization to fulfilling our commitment to those with whom we have served.
INFORMATIS - VERITAS - VICTORIA
Updated:10/15/08
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