[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

You absolutely have to know and understand the culture because if you do not you not only put your ability to operate with the indig at risk but may also put the lives of your team at risk. I have worked with folks that would not cross rivers because of the "Necchi", not conduct night operations because of the "Dragon Snakes", and would not move during a lightning storm. I also was able to make the culture work for me by playing to their cultural beliefs without degrading them or going "native" but there have been times when you have to operate on the fringe between science and mysticisim to get things to happen. You do not have to love them but you certainly have to respect them and their beliefs and adapt to make sure that you do not portray or present anything that will cause them to think that you are superior in anyway and/or that they are inferior. In short you have to earn their respect and treat them with dignity, after all you are often there to get them to take the risks required to resolve their country's crisis while mitigating the risks other US soldiers would otherwise have to take.