Overcoming cultural barriers at Camp Alamo

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By Captain Ian McIntyre, Royal Canadian Air Force
Public Affairs Officer
Camp Alamo
Kabul Military Training Center

August 6, 2012

Recently at Camp Alamo, which is co-located with the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) near Kabul, Afghanistan, coalition members are doing their part to hurdle any of the cultural barriers that may exist between them.
 
While all members of the camp have the opportunity to interact with each other regularly, there is always the likelihood that some of the subtle nuances of the various cultures represented may inadvertently go unappreciated or simply misunderstood. It was for that reason that the opportunity for participating nations to help to overcome these challenges has been created.
 
The intent was to ensure representation from all the different nations located within Camp Alamo and to provide information sessions on the varied and diverse cultures and customs associated with the different countries. The end state is for all members of the camp to become more familiar with the cultures and customs of those with whom they work.

Maj. Col. Bacanu of the Romanian contingent and adviser to the non commissioned officer training battalion provides a presentation on the cultural and historical aspects of his home country to the members of Camp Alamo, located at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) near Kabul, Afghanistan August 3, 2012.
Image by Master Cpl. France Morin (Canada)

 
“With a total of 17 nations represented at Camp Alamo, it is difficult to have an appreciation of the cultural diversity that is represented on a daily basis,” said Capt. Rachel McCurdy, Senior Coalition Advisor to the Female Training Brigade at KMTC and a member of the Royal Military Police. “The cultural awareness training that most members located at Camp Alamo underwent prior to deployment highlighted the value in greater education about different cultures with which they interact regularly in the execution of their duties.”
 
Members from 17 nations are represented at Camp Alamo – including Australia, Canada, Turkey and the United Kingdom – all of whom assist and mentor the Afghan National Army (ANA) so it is in the interests of everyone involved to promote mutual understanding and respect amongst the members of all of those nations.
 
Through interactive engagement and communication efforts designed to promote mutual understanding and cultural tolerance, the goal is for all of the members of Camp Alamo to develop bonds which foster the cohesion essential for providing the best possible support to the ANA and to each other.
 
“In my position, I have worked with people from practically every nation here at some point,” said Sgt. Melissa Martell, a member of the Joint Visits Bureau at Camp Alamo. “I know first-hand what the value is in getting to know more about the different cultures we work with. These presentations should do a lot to bring others up-to-speed about the different nationalities here. The better you understand someone; the easier it is to work with them.”
 
Through increased mutual understanding and respect of each other’s unique cultural perspectives, the international representatives at Camp Alamo serve as an example to all of the value the world places on diversity and cooperation. Surely, that is a barrier worth overcoming.

NMT-A is a coalition of 38 troop contributing nations assisting the Government of the Islamic Repbulic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014.  For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com

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