Rationale
| If intercultural training is effective in the business
context cited above, application in the military environment has relevance.
In fact, due to the nature of U.S. military service in SWA, members are
not required to become experts in a host nation culture. The majority of
deployments are of relatively short duration, usually from 45 to 180 days
(CENTCOM, 1998). Additionally, as a result of terrorist activity directed
at military personnel in SWA, the majority of U.S. forces in the region
are based in remote areas of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, with limited interaction
with local nationals. But, as previously noted, servicemembers must make
significant lifestyle adjustments to comply with the rules and norms of
the host culture Therefore, a level of familiarization with the culture
of the host nation that prepares the service member for significant lifestyle
changes is the training objective recommended in this paper.
The effectiveness of a cultural training program can be measured by testing military personnel on their knowledge of cultural specific issues before and after they receive training. The uncertainty reduction theory argues that increased knowledge reduces stress and anxiety. The hypothesis presented in this study argues the test will show knowledge of the Kuwaiti and Saudi culture increases as a result of the training, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. Next |
Introduction Background Theories Methods Conclusion References