Cultural Understanding and its Importance to Military Operations

Abstract

Cultural understanding of the enemy and the populace is a key factor in success on the battlefield. Knowledge of the human terrain allows leaders and soldiers to foresee the impact of military operations on both sides, thereby allowing them to plan and conduct effective operations. One example of success and one example of failure to achieve cultural understanding are compared and contrasted: the counterinsurgency operations in Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines (2002-present) and the Strategic Hamlet Program in Vietnam (1961-1963). The contrasting outcomes of these two military operations illustrate the importance of cultural and societal factors in modern warfare, and the need for leaders and soldiers to prepare for this reality in the future.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 24, 2009
Accession Number
AD1117211

Entities

People

  • Kathleen E Teller

Organizations

  • United States Army Sergeants Major Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Combat Operations
  • Communities
  • Counterinsurgency
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Philippines
  • Security
  • Terrain
  • Terrorists
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.