Includes a foreword by General James N. N. Mattis, USMC. A comprehensive textbook, reference, and planning tool. Provides operationally relevant cultural teaching, training, and analysis. Links social science paradigms to the needs of Marines using an applied anthropology approach. Links fundamental features of culture to the challenges of military operations in different cultures around the globe.

This Marine Corps book provides an important record of the cultural lessons learned during the past decade--not only in Afghanistan and Iraq but in a variety of operations around the globe. Case Studies in Operational Culture draws together the experiences of 22 field grade military officers from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, as well the Canadian and Australian military. Applying the cultural concepts described in two previous books in this series--Operational Culture for the Warfighter and Applications in Operational Culture--these cases provide detailed, concrete illustrations of how specific cultural factors had a direct impact on the outcome of military operations. As these case studies illustrate, cultural considerations are not merely a tactical concern focused on building good relations with local communities; indeed, they are critical if the United States and its allies hope to create effective plans and strategic solutions that depend upon the cooperation of culturally diverse partners in a region.Part I: Challenges across Service Cultures * Understanding the Environment and Social Structures: Keys to Accessing Indigenous Australian Communities for the Army * by Major Nicholas Rose, Australian Army * The Challenge of Surviving within the Special Operations Culture * by Lieutenant Colonel David K. Aragon, USAF * Part II: Cross-Cultural Challenges when Working with the Local Civilian Population * Operational Culture Challenge: The Fallujah Peninsula, Iraq - by Major Clark Mitchell, USMC * Operational Culture Onboard the al-Basrah Oil Terminal - by Lieutenant Commander A. J. Kruppa, USN * Operational Culture Impacts in Rutbah, Iraq - by Major Bradley P. Bean, USMC * Solving the Terrain Denial Dilemma in al-Anbar Province - by Major Brandon W. Graham, USMC * The Successful Application of Operational Culture Dimensions in an-Najaf, Iraq - by Major Carrie C. Batson, USMC * Key Leader Engagement * By, With, and Through: Working with a Neighborhood Council - by Major David Smith, USA * The Cultural Grounds of the Delaram Gravel Conflict -- by Major Llonie A. C. Cobb, USMC * An Angry Crowd: Operational Culture in Musa Qala, Afghanistan - by Lieutenant Colonel Justin J. Ansel Jr., USMC * Dynamic Dimensions of Dar-I-Bum - by Major Jonathan R. Smith, USMC * Gender Issues * The Dilemma of Female Detainees - by Lieutenant Colonel Eric C. Dill, USMC * Gender as an Operational Challenge and Opportunity in Military Operations * by Major Misty J. Posey, USMC * At the Checkpoint * by Major Jason A. Borovies, USMC * Assessment * Culture and Evaluation of Methods of Assessment * by Major Corey J. Frederickson, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry * Part III: Cultural Challenges in the Joint Operating Environment * Security Cooperation and Advisor Training * Mirror Imaging the Afghan Local Police: Environmental Considerations for Developing Indigenous Police Forces - by Major Ryan D. Shea, USMC * Working with the Iraqi Police in ar-Ramadi, Iraq - by Major Marcus J. Mainz, USMC * Redesigning an Afghan District's Security Plan - by Major John C. Gianopoulos, USMC * Permission to Coordinate: There Must Be Homage to Authority in Ecuador 2009-10 - by Major August R. Immel, USMC * Joint Operations * Coordination in a Multinational Flight Training Exercise - by Lieutenant Colonel Derek M. Brannon, USMC * Coalition Compromise in a No-fly Zone over Libya - by Major Steven Leutner, USAF * Regional Air and Missile Defense in the Western Pacific: Overcoming Cross-Cultural Differences - by Lieutenant Commander Adam D. Wieder, USN * References

Operational Culture for the Warfighter: Principles and Applications is a comprehensive planning tool and reference. It addresses the critical need of the Marine Corps to provide operationally relevant cultural teaching, training, and analysis. This book links social science paradigms to the needs of Marines using an applied anthropology approach. The text explains how fundamental features of culture (environment, economy, social structure, political structure, and belief systems) can present challenges for military operations in different cultures around the globe. Drawing on the research and field experiences of Marines themselves, Operational Culture for the Warfighter uses case studies from past and present cross-cultural problems to illustrate the application of cultural principles to the broad expeditionary spectrum of today's and tomorrow's Marine Corps. This new and expanded second edition of Operational Culture for the Warfighter extends the concepts of the original edition to the Marine Corps Planning Process. New sections on transportation and communication, law and ethics, and culture and planning will assist both military planners and operators with the practical aspects of incorporating culture into military decision-making. This book is intended for use by Marine leaders at all levels of professional military education, planning, and operating.

"This textbook is designed to help Marines link concepts of culture to the realities of planning and executing military operations around the world." -- p. 2.

"Operational Culture for the Warfighter: Principles and Applications" is a comprehensive planning tool and reference. It addresses the critical need of the Marine Corps to provide operationally relevant cultural teaching, training, and analysis. This book links social science paradigms to the needs of Marines using an applied anthropology approach. The text explains how fundamental features of culture (environment, economy, social structure, political structure, and belief systems) can present challenges for military operations in different cultures around the globe. Drawing on the research and field experiences of Marines themselves, "Operational Culture for the Warfighter" uses case studies from past and present cross-cultural problems to illustrate the application of cultural principles to the broad expeditionary spectrum of today's and tomorrow's Marine Corps. This new and expanded second edition of "Operational Culture for the Warfighter" extends the concepts of the original edition to the Marine Corps Planning Process. New sections on transportation and communication, law and ethics, and culture and planning will assist both military planners and operators with the practical aspects of incorporating culture into military decision-making.

As Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) evolved, so, too, did the Marine Corps' cultural-training efforts. Initially, cultural sensitivity training (i.e., cursory etiquette instruction) was employed in 2003, to prepare Marines for the Invasion of Baghdad during OIF I. By 2004, when the 1st Marine Division returned to Iraq for OIF II, training had evolved into culture awareness classes (i.e., introductory history, politics, religion overview). It was not until 2005 that training progressed into today's operational culture learning.