Operational Culture Flashcards
Cultural awareness defined
State of understanding that cultural differences and similarities exist between cultures and that these differences have an effect on values, beliefs, and behaviors. Helps Marines avoid offending local nationals by violating their culture, language, morals, and customs.
Operational culture defined
Those aspects of culture that influence the outcome of military operations-As well as the military actions that influence the culture of an area of operations. Operational culture is an approach to culture that can be used to make sense of any area of operation, and allows Marines to assess a set of basic cultural factors that will affect the military operations, regardless of where they operate
Fostering mutual respect in four ways
Recognize a cultures characteristics, respect a cultures characteristics, realize that effects of cultural diversity, be willing to learn
Dimensions of operational culture
The cultural factors that affect military operations are known as the five dimensions of operational culture. Belief systems, physical environment, economy, social structure, political structure.
Belief system
Most cultures have a shared set of believes that unite the group. Belief systems include religion, ideology, patriotism, superstitions, icons and heroes, and other guiding beliefs.
Physical environment
Understand the relationship the community has with its environment. Water, land, food, shelter, fuel.
Economy
Ask how people are in their daily living. Will our actions restrict or prevent people from being able to support and feed their families. Farming, animal hurting, selling at the market, and running businesses our ways other cultures may make their money.
Social structure
The way in which a group organizer status and power is referred to as social structure. For example in the Marine Corps, social structure is assigned by rink.
Six key factors that may affect a person’s power in their culture
Gender, age, class, ethnicity, tribal membership, and religious membership
Political structure
Two types of political structures: formal, informal (Or both)
Formal and informal political structures
It is important that Marines quickly figure out who has the power and authority in their area of operation, as this knowledge can affect military operations in a positive manner.
