THE final environmental impact study for the military buildup reiterates the Department of Defense’s promise to instill cultural sensitivity among incoming military personnel.
“While population increases can highlight cultural differences, they also present unique and new opportunities for cultural learning and sharing,” the final impact study stated.
According to the impact report, the defense department has offered plans to educate all personnel while striving to offer orientation programs for incoming and currently stationed military personnel.
The cultural sensitivity program seeks to promote mutual respect, tolerance and the varied cultural historical reference that defines Guam, according to the impact report.
DoD believes that if the military offers more joint activities sharing and understanding of cultures between the local community and military personnel, this will provide a stronger relationship that will be mutually beneficial.
The impact study noted that local residents fear that the explosion of Marine population will force the expression of Chamorro culture through dance language and traditions out into the margins by an increased western culture and that the Chamorro people are already being treated as the minority.
When the draft study was released in November, the community expressed apprehension that the military buildup would extinguish the indigenous Chamorro population, as well as its language and culture.
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