Culture and the Soldier

Culture and the Soldier offers a long-overdue examination of how culture – defined as reproduced identities, values, and norms – both shapes the military and can be wielded by it, informing the way armed forces operate around the world.

Countries have instituted polices to make their armed forces more inclusive, and soldiers now undergo cultural awareness training before they see active duty. Policy makers and military organizations agree that culture is important. But what does “culture” mean in practice, and how is it important? Drawing on case studies from Europe and North America, Culture and the Soldier answers these questions by examining how culture both shapes the military and can be wielded by it. Culture, as a force, has the power to influence how soldiers remember battle and how women are treated within the ranks. As a factor, it can be leveraged by militaries in a range of ways, from preventing cultural dislocation among soldiers in Afghanistan to mounting propaganda campaigns in support of totalitarian regimes. By bringing to light the ways in which culture is influencing military organizations and modern combat, this volume offers provocative insights into how culture can be deployed to improve armed forces at home and in military engagements abroad.