Cultural Competency: Ready for a World of Work

 

 

What does the US Army expect of 21st-century soldiers? Cultural literacy, a set of new skills and abilities outlined below.

Culturally Literate Soldiers :

-Understand that culture affects their behavior and beliefs and the behavior and beliefs of others.

-Are aware of specific cultural beliefs, values, and sensibilities that might affect the way they and others think or behave.

-Appreciate and accept diverse beliefs, appearances, and lifestyles.

-Are aware that historical knowledge is constructed and, therefore, shaped by personal, political, and social forces.

-Know the history of mainstream and nonmainstream American cultures and understand how these histories affect current society.

-Can understand the perspective of nonmainstream groups when learning about historical events.

-Know about major historical events of other nations and understand how such events affect behaviors, beliefs, and relationships with others.

-Are aware of the similarities among groups of different cultural backgrounds and accept differences between them.

-Understand the dangers of stereotyping, ethnocentrisms, and other biases and are aware of and sensitive to issues of racism and prejudice.

-Are bilingual, multilingual, or working toward language proficiency.

-Can communicate, interact, and work positively with individuals from other cultural groups.

-Use technology to communicate with individuals and access resources from other cultures.

-Are familiar with changing cultural norms of technology (such as instant messaging, virtual workspaces, E-mail, and so on), and can interact successfully in such environments.

-Understand that cultural differences exist and need to be accounted for in the context of military operations.

-Understand that as soldiers they are part of a widely stereotyped culture that will encounter predisposed prejudices, which will need to be overcome in cross-cultural relations.

-Are secure and confident in their identities and capable of functioning in a way that allows others to remain secure in theirs.

 

 

Source: US ARMY

Comments

[Lance_K]

Sometimes the military lags behind the very society it is defending, and sometimes the military leads the way. It is good to see forward thinking in cultural diversity.

I am reminded of an article in the Wall Street Journal several years ago wherein the journalist explained how Marine basic training was instilling values and purpose in the recruits in a profound way. The newly-minted Marines often found that they no longer held much in common with their old, aimless friends back home when those Marines went home to visit.

I enlisted in the military for six years at a time in my life when I was adrift. I have never regretted that military service.

[Hawi Moore]

Thanks for sharing this post

[Low IQ Kid]

I live in Korea. Where US has maintained military bases for decades.

Unfortunately, I don't see much of cultural awareness from the soldiers as guidelined above. System is broken somewhere.

[Linda Wallace]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I plan to write the U.S. Army and put this question directly to its leaders. I want to know if there is a way people in other countries can relay and share experiences with the Army - good and bad. As citizens we want to know soldiers are getting the support and training they need to be culturally competent. They must be equipped for the roles we are giving them.

[Linda Wallace]

Thanks for taking time to post a comment.
That is how we will change the world: by holding meaningful conversations with friends,
and by asking deep questions. Let me know if you get a response.