Pensacola, Florida - The Center for Information Warfare Training's (CIWT) Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (LREC) directorate released a new version of its Navy Global Deployer application for mobile devices, December 18.
LREC continues to offer valuable resources for Navy personnel and their families as part of the Ready, Relevant Learning initiatives of Sailor 2025 by delivering the right training at the right time, in the right place and in the right format for Sailors.
For 59 world cultures, the app provides useful information on topics like language, history, geography, people, ethnic groups, religious institutions and societal norms, as well as culturally appropriate behavior and etiquette. With a small initial download, users receive access to culture and language-specific content which can be downloaded and then deleted after use, making room on a device for other content.
This version of the application adds Every Deployment a Global Engagement (EDGE) courses. EDGE prepares Sailors, family members and others for assignments in the overseas fleet concentration areas of Bahrain, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Spain. This updated version also includes the EDGE Basic Cross-Cultural Competence (B3C) and Culture Shock courses and EDGE videos for the strategically-important countries of China, Iran and Russia.
A short snippet of an example video can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT/videos/1976224415800589/.
These courses are intended to train personnel to recognize culturally-driven behaviors and social norms unique to a foreign culture and to shape learners’ attitudes and behaviors to promote international good will and understanding. The courses also reinforce the Navy’s core values and their applicability to duty overseas. They are now available on Navy e-Learning and are currently being added to Navy e-Learning Afloat.
Country-specific information in the app is divided into the following sections:
1. Navy EDGE - For Bahrain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, China, Iran, and Russia.
2. Culture Orientation – The Operational Cultural Awareness Training (OCAT) presentation, or a similar narrated presentation.
3. Culture Card – Mobile-friendly and printable quick-reference guides covering various aspects of each country’s history, language and culture.
4. Etiquette Guide – Information on everything from meeting and greeting to cultural values to the significance of common nonverbal gestures.
5. Language Phrases – Useful common phrases with audio recordings to assist with pronunciation.
6. Language Guide – A library of links to free online learning resources for more than 100 languages.
Other sections of the app include general resources available to the user, emergency resources, and a favorites section that allows users to bookmark and easily access parts of the app they find personally important.
“The app offers Sailors, civilian employees and their family members an opportunity to learn a little about foreign countries they may visit or be stationed in,” said Jim Murphy, app development lead with LREC. “As an on-demand language and culture learning tool, our app helps prepare Navy personnel for living, visiting and working overseas."
These courses satisfy standing orders to maintain cultural awareness. Commanding officers may use EDGE to ensure their crews maintain cultural awareness, which improves unit and personnel readiness and operational outcomes.
"When combined with country-specific curriculum, this continuum of learning prepares Sailors and civilian employees for successful overseas tours," said Chris Wise, director of LREC. "It also improves personal and command cultural readiness, helps the Navy build effective relationships with strategic partners, and reduces the confusion and insecurity that may accompany an assignment in a foreign culture."
The app is available for download from the iTunes and Google Play online stores. To find the free app, search key words such as "CLREC" and "Navy global deployer" in the app stores or a web browser. Sailors can also find this app and many other Navy apps at https://www.applocker.navy.mil.
The U.S. Navy Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240) produced the app and Tracen Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in integrated mobile and web solutions, was the software developer.
The Navy's LREC office delivers foreign language instruction and training on foreign cultures to prepare Navy personnel for global engagements to strengthen ties with enduring allies, cultivate relationships with emerging partners, thwart adversaries, and defeat enemies. Part of the Center for Information Warfare Training, LREC directorate is located on board Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station.
