Study of the Need for Cross-Cultural Capability Development in the Members of the United States Military

The National Security Strategy of the United States has made it clear that the global war on terror knows no boundaries. In direct support of the National Security Strategy, the National Military Strategy has obligated US troops to combat terrorism wherever the need arises, as expeditiously as possible. This translates into the high probability of US Armed Forces rapidly deploying to parts of the world they know very little about. If the United States military does not educate its members in matters of culture during peacetime, there may not be time to educate them during times of conflict. Thus, the primary research question of this project is: Does the United States military need to better develop the cross-cultural capabilities of its members? To answer the primary research question, a research methodology was followed to ensure the available literature was researched and applied in a relevant and scholarly manner. The collected data was then analyzed and synthesized into conclusions and recommendations. The study concluded that the US military does need to increase efforts to develop the cross-cultural capabilities of its members. Additionally, the study recommends that a task force be created to create and implement training, and the task force be led by a qualified civilian to avoid unnecessary redundancies or individual service deficiencies.