Effective communication isn’t just about reading, writing and speaking a language - it’s learning to understand a person, a community and a culture.
In order to build rapport with Afghans, Soldiers are participating in a course at Fort Drum that gives them a better understanding of Afghanistan's languages and culture.
In October 2009, the Department of the Army directed that one Soldier from each platoon would receive training that would focus on learning basic Afghan language skills and culture.
Fort Drum was chosen as one of the pilot locations, along with Forts Carson and Campbell. Last April, 50 Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team participated in Fort Drum's first Mountain Language Training Academy course.
Since the 3rd BCT Soldiers graduated last August, academy personnel, who are contracted through the language training detachment from Defense Language Institute, have been improving the course in preparation for the second class, which will graduate Aug. 5.
Currently, Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 10th Sustainment Brigade are attending the course, receiving training from seven Pashto- and 10 Dari-speaking instructors.
The course is designed to teach Soldiers to read and write, as well as form sentences, preparing them to have fluid conversations with their Afghan counterparts, explained Cristina Bartow, command language program manager for 10th Mountain Division (LI), G2 Mission Support Element.
Bartow said the 16-week course teaches more than just a language.
"(This instruction) is important because Soldiers are learning the similarities between themselves and the Afghan people, and how to be respectful of the Afghan culture," she explained.
Soldiers split their time between a classroom setting and a facility that is similar to Afghan settings, such as a village bazaar, a dining room and an interrogation room.
Using the facility allows Soldiers to practice their skills in an Afghan environment and be immersed in the culture.
Ultimately, it prepares them to communicate with and work alongside Afghan National Army soldiers and the local Afghan population, Bartow explained.
"It puts them in the environment so they know what it feels like and (gives them an opportunity) to use the language," she added.
Bartow has received positive feedback from 3rd BCT Soldiers, who deployed this past spring. Soldiers told her the course has made a difference in the way they interact with Afghans.
Bartow attributes some of the success of the course to the instructors, who have a variety of reasons that prompted them to help with the program.
Some instructors are naturalized citizens, and some are going to school in the U.S. Most are from Afghanistan, working in the U.S. on a temporary visa.
"Many of (the instructors) have worked with Soldiers in country. Many are here for an education, and this is a summer job for them," Bartow explained.
Matin Sharifi, a Dari instructor and native of Kabul, began working with Soldiers in Afghanistan in 2001. Sharifi, who has been in the U.S. since 2006, said he came here in pursuit of an education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University, Ind., in 2010, and is a graduate student at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
He said his job is not just teaching Dari, but also including a curriculum of Afghan culture and scenarios the Soldiers might encounter.
"As a part of counterinsurgency strategy, it's important for (Soldiers) to know about the (Afghan) culture. They have to secure the population, and in order for them to (do that), they have to interact with (Afghans)," Sharifi said. "(Soldiers) have to know the language, and be able to immerse (themselves) in that culture."
He noted that learning the languages and understanding the culture is part of "soft power," which he described as the military working with local Afghans in areas such as economic development, governance and security.
"The languages are really tough to learn," Bartow explained, noting the students' job skills vary.
"Language might not be a part of what they thought (their job) would be, and it's amazing to watch (Soldiers) realize they love the language aspect."
Students said they enjoy the course and believe the ways the material is presented to them is helpful to learning the language and culture.
Sgt. Patricia Austin, a Female Engagement Team leader with NYARNG's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, said she appreciated learning the basics before immersing herself in the Afghan culture.
"One of biggest complications we had (while deployed to Iraq) was the lack of language familiarization and cultural sensitivity," she explained.
"(In this course), we're been given the essentials to retain this (information) a lot easier," she said, noting she was given index cards.
"They rotate teachers, so you get a familiarization of how different people sound when they're speaking the language," Austin added. She also noted that one of the instructors is female, which will be beneficial to her FET mission because she is learning a lot about Afghan females.
"This is my first close interaction with (Afghans), and being so close to them, (I) get to understand (the culture) before (deploying), and that only can help," explained Pfc. Conrad Stewart, a truck driver with 110th Transportation Company, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Although he's not scheduled to deploy until next spring, he plans to keep skills up by using the materials " books and CDs " provided from the course.
Pfc. Aws Albadri, a patrol and supply specialist with 110th Transportation Company, said he also will use the resources provided to practice over the next few months.
Albadri, a native of Iraq, said he feels he has an upper hand in the course because he already understands the cultural aspect. He helps other students in the class by bridging the gap between instructors and students.
"What makes a mission successful is understanding the people," he explained.
"Knowing what not to do, before you get there, is definitely something every Soldier should learn," Austin said, adding that she will go back to her unit and share what she's learned with the other members of her FET.
"The commitment of these Soldiers in these classes is amazing to see. If there's one thing that stands out in these classes, (it) is how hard (the Soldiers) work at it," Bartow noted.
Sharifi also commended his students for being motivated and interested in Afghan culture and society.
"The U.S. military has invested so much in Afghanistan, and they have more understanding of Afghanistan. (The military) knows (the Afghans') needs before they go to Afghanistan. We really appreciate it," he said.
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