Looking at the situation in Iraq and the rest of Arabia right now, along with Iran and Afghanistan, it would seem that the presence of foreign soldiers in a land which whose culture they are completely ignorant are causing more and more PR scandals day after day. So my question is this:
Would it be wise for the military to require all members to be bilingual, even if that means having to hire foreigners?
Some advantages I could see with this:
1. In the event that Canada must go to another country to fight, it can gather it's troops who can speak the local language and are familiar with the local culture. In the case of Afghanista, for instance, immagine Canadian soldiers who can speak Dari or Pashta, and who might have some familiarity with Islam and Afghan culture, along with their do's and dont's.
2. Canadian military strategists, when considering the plan of attack in another country, could consult with their own troops and see what would be culturally acceptabel and not, very clearly before war even begins. Let's say, for instance, that Canada is about to go into Afghanista and, according to current strategy, the Afghan platoons thow down their arms in rage saying there is no way in hell they're going to do that, then we know how the locals are going to react! So the strategy could be catered to deal with PR problem early. In the event that there is a shortage of such soldiers, then they can be placed as consultants within each platoon.
Perhaps the closest example to such a concept today would be the French Foreing Legion. But here I'm expanding a similar concept across the board to the Canadian military.
As for disadvantages, certainly it would mean taht only those Canadians who are bilingual (and this does not limit itself to French and English) could work in the military. It would also mean that military strategy would need to be more well thought out and not just rushed through at a whim, so as to ensure that local circumstances are considered. This could of course lead to more limitations as to the extent to which the military could be used.
I came to this idea after looking at how the major obstacle for the US and UK in Iraq right now does in fact seem to be a culture clash above all else. And since the soldiers know little about Islam, and even less Arabic, they are simply not in any position to solve these clashes beyond Abu ghraib style sharades.
So what would be your thoughts on this?
Would it be wise for the military to require all members to be bilingual, even if that means having to hire foreigners?
Some advantages I could see with this:
1. In the event that Canada must go to another country to fight, it can gather it's troops who can speak the local language and are familiar with the local culture. In the case of Afghanista, for instance, immagine Canadian soldiers who can speak Dari or Pashta, and who might have some familiarity with Islam and Afghan culture, along with their do's and dont's.
2. Canadian military strategists, when considering the plan of attack in another country, could consult with their own troops and see what would be culturally acceptabel and not, very clearly before war even begins. Let's say, for instance, that Canada is about to go into Afghanista and, according to current strategy, the Afghan platoons thow down their arms in rage saying there is no way in hell they're going to do that, then we know how the locals are going to react! So the strategy could be catered to deal with PR problem early. In the event that there is a shortage of such soldiers, then they can be placed as consultants within each platoon.
Perhaps the closest example to such a concept today would be the French Foreing Legion. But here I'm expanding a similar concept across the board to the Canadian military.
As for disadvantages, certainly it would mean taht only those Canadians who are bilingual (and this does not limit itself to French and English) could work in the military. It would also mean that military strategy would need to be more well thought out and not just rushed through at a whim, so as to ensure that local circumstances are considered. This could of course lead to more limitations as to the extent to which the military could be used.
I came to this idea after looking at how the major obstacle for the US and UK in Iraq right now does in fact seem to be a culture clash above all else. And since the soldiers know little about Islam, and even less Arabic, they are simply not in any position to solve these clashes beyond Abu ghraib style sharades.
So what would be your thoughts on this?
