Strategic Social Interaction Modules (SSIM)
Abstract
*Formerly Training for Adaptability The Strategic Social Interaction Modules (SSIM) program will take military training beyond traditional tactics, techniques, and procedures/standard operating procedures (TTPs/SOPs) to include cultural awareness and the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop close collaborative relationships with foreign peoples and leaders and, ultimately, for winning hearts and minds. Counter-insurgency (COIN) missions and stability and support operations (SASO) put U.S. service members in close contact with local populations. Historically, military training has not had to train soldiers on how to skillfully interact with foreign civilians. The current operational environment makes it imperative to develop rapport with local leaders and civilians as their cooperation will be necessary for success in COIN/SASO. SSIM will emphasize the foundational skills necessary to achieve cultural understanding in any social setting and the skills necessary for successful interactions across different social groups. SSIM will develop the requisite training technology including advanced gaming/simulation techniques that incorporate new methods for practicing social agility in cross-cultural encounters, as well as how to discover and learn culturally specific conduct, manners, and practices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- a0d3f283cff159f5842b88b688c2c6e2