Calif. Marines train at mock Afghan village

[unhappycamper]

Mojave Desert training
Giving a preview of terrain, culture and customs


Calif. Marines train at mock Afghan village
By Chelsea J. Carter - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Sep 30, 2008 16:45:31 EDT

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Marine Capt. Mike Hoffman sat on the floor of a shack with an Afghan mullah and village elders and accepted a meager meal as he sought their help in the fight against the Taliban.

It was loud and confusing as he tried to listen to them debate what the town needed most — water, electricity, a police station.

“I want to hear everything you have to say. But I can only understand one of you at a time,” Hoffman said through a translator.

Hoffman would later learn from culture and language instructors that he had made a serious error by seeming to dishonor the elders by quieting the debate. That could make villagers refuse to aid his troops — or even aid Taliban insurgents.

But this was not Afghanistan. And on this day, there would be no retaliation. This was just practice.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_afghantraining_093008/%2e