Accession Number:

ADA479003

Title:

Understanding Culture in the Role of Indigenous Armies

Descriptive Note:

Strategy research project

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Dolan, John P.

Report Date:

2008-03-04

Pagination or Media Count:

47.0

Abstract:

This paper addresses the importance of understanding culture, and how planning and current programs fall short of meeting the needs of the U.S. Armed forces. It proposes three recommendations for correcting these deficiencies. These recommendations include establishing competent assessment and planning cells, developing applicable and adequate training programs for U.S. personnel, which are geared towards building and leveraging indigenous forces in securing regional stability. It begins with an historical overview of U.S. efforts to increase regional stability by building indigenous forces. The paper includes a discussion of successes and failures in the Philippines, Vietnam, South America, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The primary focus is on historical efforts to train and field indigenous forces, and through presentation of cultural themes, convince the reader, that planners at all levels must consider cultural influences in the selected region, and most certainly in the establishment of host nation military forces.

Descriptors:

• *STABILITY
• *SECURITY
• *INDIGENOUS POPULATION
• *CULTURE
• IRAQ
• VIETNAM
• SOUTH AMERICA
• AFGHANISTAN
• FIELD ARMY
• PHILIPPINES
• ARMY PLANNING
• NATIONS
• ARMY TRAINING

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Sociology and Law

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE