Reply to Islam and Western Militaries Comments

Submitted by Harden Ervin (United States), Aug 17, 2009 at 11:50

In the 1960s the US Army created a German Language School in different locations in Germany. I attended one in Neu Ulm, Germany. The Language School’s purpose was to help American Solders to communicate with Germans and understand their customs and mores. American Military, 40 years ago, had programs to bridge social differences between our soldiers and the society where they were stationed. This was done for Germans, even though the social divide is not as great as with the Arabs. I support abiding by local customs and sensitize our solders to local customs and moors.

If our military in stationed in a foreign country they should follow local customs. I would expect anyone stationed here to do the same. It is just plain neighborly. Frankly I find that the mores of the Arabs expressed in this article not harmful, but against our customs. Since the women commented in the article are in the US Military, their commanders should tell them what they can do and cannot do. When they are on leave in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the other Gulf States, etc. where the rules are relaxed then they can do what they wish. I still like the way we do things in the US, but we must follow the customs of the countries where they are stationed.

Harden Ervin

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