College requires "cultural competency" training to avoid offending an often-overlooked culture: The military

This year, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, took the unusual step of trying to bridge the gulf between academic and military culture — in some places a stark political, cultural and philosophical divide — by mandating “cultural competency” training for faculty and staff.

Those kinds of requirements are standard at many schools for groups, such as black students, Hispanic students, or lesbian, gay and transgender students who may face discrimination. But school officials say faculty and staff must be aware of the challenges faced by their students with military connections — whether veterans, or reservists, or spouses juggling family, frequent moves, injuries and mental health issues at the same time they’re trying to keep up with classes.

“Sometimes we forget that the military is another culture that needs to be included in ‘multiculturalism,’” said K.C. Kalmbach, an associate professor of psychology who also does clinical work consulting with military service members. For many who joined when they were 17, the military has as profound an impact on their identity and world view as their religion, race and hometown, she said. “I think it’s been left out.”