Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment: General Use of Interpreters
Abstract
This study is one component of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Language and Culture Needs Assessment Project. The larger study consisted of 23 focus groups conducted across the SOF community and an issue-oriented web-based survey. This report informs the tactical, operational, and strategic use of interpreters by the SOF community. Results document SOF operators heavy reliance on interpreters and provide suggestions from SOF operators and leaders regarding the best ways to mitigate the risks associated with this reliance. Fifty-seven percent of operators reported personal use and 70% of leaders reported their units using interpreters often or very often on inside area of responsibility (AOR) deployments, while 71% of operators reported personal use and 75% of leaders reported their units using interpreters often or very often on outside AOR deployments. This reliance stems from the lack of organic language proficiency; SOF operators reported that mission effectiveness would suffer if interpreters were not available. The current reality is interpreters will always be used to some extent, but the goal is to use them strategically and not out of necessity. This report provides information about the current use of interpreters and the advantages and disadvantages associated with using each type (e.g., Category I).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA634219
Entities
People
- Eric A. Surface
- Jennifer Lindberg Mcginnis
- Lauren M. Brandt
- Natalie A. Wright
- Reanna Poncheri Harman
- Sean Gasperson
- Stephen J. Ward