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| Afghanistan |
| Paratroopers Attend Cultural Awareness Class |
| 2007-03-16 |
| Read it; it's not as bad as you think. FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, March 15, 2007 — While on deployment, an education center presents many learning opportunities to soldiers. The services offered help servicemembers reach their goals of achieving degrees, it also assists them with their military mission. Paratroopers from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, Task Force Fury, took a cultural awareness class while here in an effort to better understand the Afghan culture. "That is the purpose of this program," said Suresh C. Bhatnagar, education service center officer, FOB Salerno. Bhatnagar organized the class of four local Afghans to speak to the soldiers about Afghan culture. "It is to enhance the awareness of Afghan culture, customs, traditions and religion so that when soldiers go to remote areas, or downtown, they are aware of the things they should not do or should do," he added. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Armando Alfaro, the top enlisted man in the 782nd, approached Bhatnagar and requested the class be administered to all the officers and noncommissioned officers in the battalion. "Many of our paratroopers will deal directly with the local populace, and it will be important for them to know what they can and cannot do," Alfaro explained. "It was a duty I felt was required and essential for all the leaders to understand." The education center organized the Afghan presenters on the topics of culture, tribal divisions, Afghan history and religious beliefs and soldiers had the opportunity to eat a traditional Afghan lunch before the class. After lunch, the presenters took turns speaking and answering soldiers questions. Bhatnagar stressed the importance of always dealing with the tribal leaders in towns and districts on all issues ranging from dealing with charitable donations to reparations for accidental damage done to private property by soldiers. "Everything is sorted out through the tribal leader," Bhatnagar explained. He cautioned soldiers of small offenses, which included asking a man's wife her name without speaking to him or touching a Quran while conducting a search of a house. To step foot inside a mosque as a non-Muslim is considered a violation of the sanctity of the house of worship. It is better to send a member of the Afghan National Army or Afghan National Police inside, he said. "It is the little things such as these facts that are most important for soldiers to know about," Bhatnagar said. "We do not want soldiers to get in trouble unknowingly when they go into villages on their missions," he added. While some of these social faux pas were already known to the soldiers, it was important to hear of some of the social courtesies. The information provided was well received by the crowd and led to further discussions among the presenters and the soldiers about the Afghan culture and customs. "I think it was a good idea, so we could get the information and get it down to the troops," said Sgt. Patrick M. Fuller, operations noncommissioned officer, B Company "I mean, the last thing we want to do is go out and offend the Afghan citizens." Stay with me, here! Combining the life experiences of four speakers with the message of cultural understanding made an excellent forum for learning, Alfaro agreed. Learning is good. "In the end, the goal of the session was to improve the relationship between foreign troops and the Afghans," Bhatnagar said. "We do not want to lose a single life because soldiers erroneously, or ignorantly, made a mistake that caused resentment among the local people against us." I'll agree with that! |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #9 "... or touching a Quran while conducting a search of a house." I predict an increase of pistols being hidden within hollowed out Quarans. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-03-16 19:41 |
| #8 This is nothing new. I attended such classes in 1967, 1970, and 1971, in relation to my assignments to Panama, Vietnam, and Germany, respectively. They basically give you a rundown on local laws and customs, what to do in certain situations, and what the taboos are. I also learned what was suspect in the way of foods I might be offered, and how to behave when talking to locals. I also received training in Vietnam about what to do in the case of an attack on the base, or an attack on me personally when I was off the base. It's good PR, and it helps keep soldiers alive and well. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2007-03-16 16:12 |
| #7 Finally? We lobbied for shock collars for 2nd Lt's. I guess this is a start. |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-03-16 13:35 |
| #6 Command Sergeants Major. Nit picked. |
| Posted by: Whiskey Mike 2007-03-16 13:01 |
| #5 now permits "Command" sergeant majors to orchestrate training for officers. ? Finally? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-03-16 12:32 |
| #4 ...now permits "Command" sergeant majors to orchestrate training for officers. Command Sergeant Majors "request", any officer below field grade (with any brains) listens. |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-03-16 10:16 |
| #3 "Important point. When you agree to a sit-down with tribal leaders, leave your helmet on." |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-03-16 09:47 |
| #2 Little touchie this morning B? It reads 'requested', not directed. Beside, I do recall that it doesn't matter if you're enlisted or commissioned, the instructors at jump, ranger, and other schools are in charge in class. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-03-16 09:31 |
| #1 Army Command Sgt. Maj. Armando Alfaro, the top enlisted man in the 782nd, approached Bhatnagar and requested the class be administered to all the officers and noncommissioned officers in the battalion. Not questioning the possible need for "awareness" of indigenous personnel, but what chafs my old arss is the highlighted portion. Over that past 20+ years, the Army officer corps has systematically abrigated its responsibilities, and now permits "Command" sergeant majors to orchestrate training for officers. .....Beware of "infidel" paratroopers touching holy books! So much BULLSHIT! Reaching for my blood pressure meds. We're phueching DOOMED to AA and political correctness. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-03-16 08:10 |