Special Operations Forces Language And Culture Needs Assessment: Leader Perspectives On Language Resources

Abstract

Abstract : This study is one component of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Language and Culture Needs Assessment Project. The larger study consisted of 23 focus groups conducted across the SOF community and an issue-oriented web-based survey. This report examined SOF leader perspectives in two areas related to language and culture: (1) the prevalence of language training issues in day-to-day activities, and (2) the importance of language and culture for mission planning. SOF leaders play an integral role in supporting language and culture training within their units. Without their support, the Command Language Programs (CLPs) have little chance of adequately supporting SOF operators language training needs. Results indicated that most SOF leaders never (46%) or only once (36%) in a given week had a language training issue cross their desk. This report discusses several possible explanations for the low number of language training issues expressed; for example, communication gaps between unit leaders of deployable elements and Command Language Program Managers (CLPMs). While SOF leaders see value in language and culture proficiency, they do not often deal with issues related to language training. This and other implications are further discussed in the report.