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cultural training deficiencies addressed in the strategic plan and to what degree will they play a role in the implementation plan? NW: Human language technology is useful in many applications, but anecdotal reporting from the field indicates that many of the applications are still awkward in their use. The preferred method of communication remains direct speech. Interpreters support the mission when necessary. However, the reporting indicates that even rudimentary skill on the part of ordinary troops is greatly appreciated by the regional population. The focus of the implementation plan is on requirements, the personnel life cycle to develop and sustain linguists, and security cooperation experts. However, within the requirements identification process, HLT may be one of the resourcing options. Further, the governance section of the implementation plan reiterates the responsibility of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to conduct research, develop, and acquire multilanguage tools. MS&T: What geographic areas outside of the current operational areas of Iraq and Afghanistan are considered to be of
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personnel with a foreign language ability, an increase of 5K from FY 2009. In regards to training, the strategic plan includes an objective requiring that we build and improve training and education to acquire, enhance, and sustain language skills, regional expertise, and culture. Deficiencies are addressed through needs analysis and establishing requirements for languages – and the numbers of language speakers – through discussion, collaboration, and consensus among the various agencies that require language and cultural expertise. The maturation of the Capabilities-Based Requirement Identification Process (CBRIP) will allow the Department to focus its force generation efforts to meet mission needs – building language capability requires lead time. The strategic plan and the supporting implementation plan emphasize the importance of greater investment and flexibility for language education and training for both language professionals and members of the General Purpose Forces. MS&T: How can advances in human language technology (HLT), such as intelligent tutors and simulation and modeling, help to address the language and
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Goal #3: Strengthen language skills, regional expertise, and cultural capabilities to increase interoperability and to build partner capacity. MS&T: Can you provide an update on the progress of the implementation plan? NW: The current draft of the implementation plan is in the final stage of formal coordination with the Services, Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies, and Combatant Commands. MS&T: Multiple reports have cited deficiencies in language and cultural training. What are the specific deficiencies, how were they identified, and how will the deficiencies be addressed in the Implementation Plan? NW: Gaps in both language and culture training have been addressed in the strategic plan. Today’s force has global responsibilities, and since critical foreign language skills are not universally addressed in our nation’s schools, DoD has initiated many steps to address the gaps. For example, DoD is actively recruiting personnel with these language skills and has increased the number of personnel with these skills. DoD has also increased the number of personnel who have been tested or have professed to have language skills. In FY 2010, DoD identified 256K