The Use of Culture in Operational Planning
Abstract
Recent conflicts, such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, have challenged operational commanders to develop skills to manage indigenous population issues. These skills were developed out of necessity after the conflict was over. Dealing with the local population, such as the Iraqi Shi'ites, inevitably leads to a crash course in the local culture. However, cultural knowledge is neither significantly used nor considered during operational planning and is not referenced during execution until the primary conflict is over. Instead of being an afterthought, the author suggests that cultural knowledge should be one of the primary considerations in operational planning. Cultural knowledge and understanding can benefit a combatant commander's mission when integrated into an operational-level course of action, especially when the desired outcome is to win the popular support of the indigenous people. A special staff position on a joint task force staff could provide the commander with all the cultural information necessary during the planning and execution phases of the operation. This special staff person, a cultural consultant, would have training in the study of culture as well as military operational knowledge, and would not only be the resident expert but also would have access to other experts in the academic and professional arena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436485
Entities
People
- Elizabeth E. Bledsoe
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College