Culture and Language Survey: Ground Combat Arms Responses

In a CAOCL survey of 2406 Marines conducted in February 2010, ground combat arms respondents reported that they interacted more frequently with the local population than those in combat support while in theater. While both ground combat arms GCA and combat support CS respondents valued culture and language, GCA respondents used cultural and language capabilities more often in theater and placed higher value on these capabilities. Both officer and enlisted GCA respondents reported equally the frequency of interactions with the local population as well as the need for cultural capabilities. In sum, the survey data indicate that cultural and language capabilities are essential components of mission success for both officer and enlisted ground combat arms Marines.