Why Cultural Awareness is Vital in the Army: Understanding Diversity and Inclusion
The issue of diversity and inclusion is very crucial in every segment of society, and the army is no exception. The army creates a unique culture that demands a sense of order, tolerance, and discipline. The army is one of the largest and most respected institutions across the globe, providing a sense of pride and belonging to its personnel. However, cultural differences can create a rift in the army, and this is why cultural awareness is essential.
What is Cultural Awareness?
Cultural Awareness refers to an individual’s knowledge and appreciation of another culture, their values, beliefs, behaviors, and communication styles. With global migration, cultural diversity in the workforce or army is more common now than ever before. It is crucial to build a high level of cognitive empathy and open-mindedness to understand common and unique features across cultures.
Why is Cultural Awareness in the Army Important?
Encourages Unity and Comradeship:
An army that values cultural diversity creates a more united and resilient group of soldiers. Fostering diversity and inclusion can go a long way toward developing the sense of unity and comradeship necessary for success. Understanding and embracing cultural differences can help break down barriers, allowing soldiers to become more efficient in their work on the field.
Prevents Discrimination and Stereotyping:
Cultural awareness in the army helps prevent discrimination and stereotyping by creating a higher level of sensitivity and understanding. Stereotyping and discrimination can lead to divisiveness, which will negatively impact morale and present operational challenges in any army’s ranks.
Improves Communication:
Cultural sensitivity leads to better communication within the army. Soldiers proficient in the various customs and languages improve multi-cultural communication in the army. With meaningful deliberation, armies can come up with solutions to problems that take into account the various cultural perspectives available to them.
Encourages Cooperation and Collaboration:
Promotes Creativity and innovation:
When the army has personnel from different cultures and backgrounds, a diverse range of ideas, approaches, and modes of thought are brought to the table. The increased creativity and innovation often produce robust solutions to military challenges.
Enhances Engagement and Retention:
Culturally aware armies bridge the gap between their soldiers and boost engagement and retention. Knowing that their army values their culture can create interest and loyalty among personnel and even inspire some to stay longer and seek a career in the military.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cultural awareness plays a vital role in any army’s success. A diverse range of soldiers and ideas is essential for the complete enhancement of the U.S military. Cultural awareness in the military is not only an ethical imperative, but it also has the potential to drive innovation and efficiency across the military personnel involved. By embracing cultural awareness, the military enhances its camaraderie, knowledge exchange, communication and bridges the gaps between the soldiers and their chain of command towards achieving operational performance targets.
