This paper is based on the US experience.
The US Army is active and present in many nations in the world today in a variety of capacities ranging from missions to operations. In every nation the US Army visits, they encounter that nations’ Culture and Worldview. Sometimes that encounter is positive and leads to easily built working relationships for a common goal, yet other times that encounter is very difficult leaving our soldiers and civilians experiencing extreme levels of culture shock (what occurs when two or more people groups that have vastly different worldviews encounter one another) which in turn makes the mission nearly impossible to accomplish. This paper is a joint attempt to combine cross-cultural skills gleaned from global Christian Missionary experience, Soldier deployed experience and Counter Insurgency (COIN) philosophy.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Culture and Worldview
3. Culture Shock & Responses
4. Why does it matter, aren’t we just doing a job?
5. How this is relevant to COIN
6. Closing
7. Appendix A: Entry Posture Diagram (EPD)
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to enhance the mission effectiveness of the US Army by integrating cross-cultural skills into Counterinsurgency (COIN) operations, emphasizing the need for soldiers to develop self-awareness and cultural fluency to navigate and reconcile cultural dissonance in foreign environments.
- Integration of missionary, soldier, and COIN experience for cultural training.
- Analysis of 'The Inevitables' and their impact on mission performance.
- Utilization of the Entry Posture Diagram (EPD) for behavioral adaptation.
- Strategic importance of soft skills and cultural competence in tactical operations.
- Policy recommendations for mandatory, standardized language and cultural training.
Excerpt from the Book
Culture Shock & Responses
Culture shock is what occurs when two or more cultures that have vastly different worldviews encounter one another. When people encounter another culture, they usually attempt to understand it and reconcile it with their own personal worldview and cultural norms. As was stated above, one’s worldview is not often thought through – it is a set of assumptions and norms that are held in common within one’s cultural group that only come to glaring light when faced with something foreign to it. So the result is that when a person encounters another culture they experience a type of ‘dissonance.’3
This cultural dissonance (or conflict) is commonly experienced by both cultures in the encounter. It can be experienced positively or negatively depending on the situation and the individual or group experiencing it. As Dr. Michelle LeBaron states in her foundational book on bridging cross cultural conflicts:
Although not all cultural differences yield conflict, effective communication is essential to its resolution. Since all communication is influenced by cultural factors – as present to our experiences as the air around us - cultural fluency (internalized familiarity with the workings of culture) is important to effectiveness in bridging conflict.4
Responses to Culture Shock are as wide and varied as are cultures, however, there are some themes. When working cross-culturally one can expect to encounter ‘The Inevitables’ – the thoughts and feelings that often occur and must be faced and integrated if the cross-cultural agent is to gain proficiency in the culture. The inevitables of cross cultural work include: frustration, misunderstanding, confusion, tension, embarrassment, and even aggression (of various levels of intensity); these are a givens even working within the US, they are highlighted and intensified in foreign contexts. These inevitable will happen no matter what when encountering a new culture.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the necessity of cross-cultural skills for US soldiers to improve mission effectiveness and build cooperative relationships in diverse environments.
Culture and Worldview: Defines culture and worldview as lenses through which people perceive their environment, noting how these differences influence interactions.
Culture Shock & Responses: Examines the phenomenon of cultural dissonance and introduces the concept of 'The Inevitables'—natural reactions that soldiers must navigate.
Why does it matter, aren’t we just doing a job?: Reflects on the author's experience as an Army Chaplain, highlighting that understanding culture is critical to mission success.
How this is relevant to COIN: Discusses the integration of civil considerations into Counterinsurgency doctrine and the practical necessity of cultural competence.
Closing: Recommends specific strategies for mandatory cultural training to prevent operational failures and improve strategic outcomes.
Appendix A: Entry Posture Diagram (EPD): Provides a detailed explanation of the EPD tool to help soldiers monitor and adjust their approach when entering new cultures.
Keywords
Counterinsurgency, COIN, Culture Shock, Worldview, Cultural Competence, Entry Posture Diagram, EPD, Mission Effectiveness, Cross-Cultural Skills, Cultural Dissonance, Soft Skills, Operational Environment, Cultural Fluency, US Army, Deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper addresses how US Army personnel can improve mission effectiveness by developing deeper cultural awareness and competence during deployment.
What are the central themes covered in this work?
Key themes include the impact of culture shock, the importance of 'soft skills' in military operations, and the necessity of aligning cultural training with COIN doctrine.
What is the main research objective or question?
The paper seeks to identify how cultural differences affect US soldiers and what can be done to help them and their command structures manage these effects to ensure mission success.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The work combines professional missionary experience, observed soldier deployment experiences, and analysis of established Counterinsurgency (COIN) philosophy and military doctrines.
What content is presented in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical definition of worldview, the analysis of 'The Inevitables' in culture shock, practical applications of the Entry Posture Diagram, and policy recommendations for unit training.
What are the defining keywords of the study?
The study is characterized by terms such as Counterinsurgency (COIN), cultural competence, cultural dissonance, soft skills, and mission effectiveness.
What exactly is an 'Entry Posture' in the context of the EPD?
An Entry Posture is the physical, emotional, and mental stance a soldier adopts when approaching a new culture, which significantly dictates the potential success of the interaction.
Why does the author advocate for 'protected' training events?
The author argues that because cultural competence is vital to strategic success, language and culture training should be prioritized and shielded from other operational distractions.
How does cultural understanding impact 'force protection'?
By enabling soldiers to detect subtle indicators of change and interact more effectively with the local population, cultural understanding enhances a unit's ability to operate safely and successfully.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Professor of History Terry Tucker (Autor:in), 2011, COIN & Culture: Cross-Cultural Skills for Mission Effectiveness and Excellence, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165136
