Building Language Skills and Cultural Competencies in the Military

Although challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan have certainly brought the importance of language and cultural competency to the fore, the lack of service member proficiency in critically-needed foreign languages is not a new problem. This book identifies some of the challenges that military personnel face, including identifying which language and cultural capabilities are needed and where and when the military need them. This book also examines the Department's efforts and progress in addressing, in a systematic, comprehensive manner, difficulties in what it promises will be a "transformation" in its capabilities in language proficiency and cultural competence. While it is clear that the Department appreciates the importance of language and culture even to the point of investing in K-16 programs, much work remains.