West African Cultural Role Player

Location: Fort Polk

SUMMARY

Role players provide the rotational training unit (RTU) with a realistic contemporary operational environment (COE). The presence of general noncombatants, special characters, cultural noncombatants, Host Nation officials/US Government officials and Non-Government Officials (NGO's) throughout the rotational exercise area of operations is intended to add realism and complexity to the operational challenges faced by the rotational training unit. There are up to 12 mock villages in the training areas of Fort Johnson that serve as the place setting for role play activity.

The focus is on a regional or district government with villages that are self-governing at the local level.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Role players shall possess the requisite knowledge and/or background and linguistic ability to portray the populous of the rotational scenario for the target region and other roles. Role players are normally used as civilian role players and work alongside civilian role play personnel within replicated villages. Role players will receive verbal/written role-play instructions, which include comprehensive written guidance for the character that they are meant to portray.

Role players will also be provided with role-play instructions outlining required actions necessary to support the rotational unit's training objectives. Role-play instructions also provide detailed information to include dates, times, locations, uniforms, special and minimum equipment, themes to be used, and information to be divulged. Role Players shall execute these instructions without deviation unless directed by the Prime Contractor or a JRTC Trainer/Mentor.

Selected role players will remain in their specific training town, village, or base camp overnight on a rotating basis. Role players may be required to be transported in civilian/military wheeled, track or air transportation. Role players will be issued role-play uniforms, civilian attire, and equipment, as per character profile. Role players will be required to wear uniforms and equipment to role-play standards.

Interpreters routinely serve as interpreters for U.S. Army units at the platoon, company, and battalion level, and for members of a battalion-level staff. Major duties include interpreting basic military terminology, instructions, and conversational level content. Interpreters may also be given civilian role-play character assignments for the rotational exercise. Interpreters will be provided character sheets for roles as local officials, important personalities, and other roles as required by rotational scenario requirements.

While at Fort Johnson, Interpreters working in direct support of the RTU will be available to support rotational requirements 24 hours each day. Interpreters may live in an assigned base camp of the U.S. Army unit they are supporting. Interpreters must be in appropriate physical condition to conduct foot patrols of up to 5 kilometers - day or night, all weather - while wearing assigned military equipment.

Interpreters may be required to conduct their rotational assignments in adverse weather conditions. Interpreters may be required to be transported in military wheeled, track or air transportation. Interpreters may be issued role-play uniforms and military equipment (helmet, level 2 or 3 body armor, load bearing equipment, etc.) as per character profile. Interpreters shall wear all uniforms and equipment to standards.

Senior Interpreters routinely serve as interpreters for a U.S. Army Brigade Commander (Brigadier General or Colonel), Battalion Commander (Lieutenant Colonel), and selected members of the brigade staff. Major duties include interpreting political-military terminology and concepts for senior military and civilian leaders. In addition, Senior Interpreters work closely with the JRTC Operations Group in supporting personal "Engagement Training" to key members of the RTU.

Senior Interpreters also routinely serve in key civilian role playing roles in accordance with the rotational exercise scenario that include, but are not limited to, political, military and religious leaders. It is desirable for Senior Interpreters to have practical interpreting experience - preferably in the government sector. While at Fort Johnson, Senior Interpreters that are assigned in direct support of the RTU will be available to support rotational requirements for periods up to 24 hours each day.

Senior Interpreters may be required to execute their rotational assignments in adverse weather conditions under field conditions. Senior Interpreters may be required to be transported in military wheeled, track or air transportation. Senior Interpreters may be issued role-play uniforms and individual military equipment (helmet, level 2 or 3 body armor, load bearing equipment, etc.). Senior Interpreters shall wear uniforms and equipment to standards.

Subject Matter Experts provide instruction or to assist in instruction on basic target language phrases, as well as…