MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va --
Yale M. Needel likens what he does for young Marines headed to Asia to the due diligence required before meeting your girlfriend’s parents.
In both cases, the Asia-Pacific analyst for the Center for Advanced Operational Culture Learning says there is no substitute for making a favorable first impression. It’s for that very reason that Needel, an expert on Asian culture, religion and politics, counsels Marines about the do’s and don’ts prior to their departure.
“It’s just like taking that next step in a relationship and meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time,” Needel said. “You never get those first 30 seconds back. Those first 30 seconds are what people are going to remember.”
A former college wrestler who majored in both biology and religion, Needel, 37, is well-versed in Asian particulars after having lived and traveled throughout the entire region over a span of nearly seven years. He speaks from personal experience after having immersed himself in the region’s various religions, culture and politics while there.
Following a stint in Arizona working for the U.S. Army, the Baltimore native arrived at Quantico in August 2012 to begin pre-deployment training for Marines and Navy Corpsmen soon headed to Asia.
The classes detail the unique operational environments in which the Marines will soon find themselves, as well as the significant cultural differences and the political climates that are often foreign to young Marines heading oversees for the first time.
“I get more satisfaction out of training Marines who are 17, 18 years old because a lot of times they have never been out of their towns before,” Needel said. “They’re heading to this strange country and they’re scared. I try to prepare them as best I can.”
Lt. Col. Mark C. Smydra, operations officer, CACOCL, praised Needel for his flexibility and passion in his teaching.
“We primarily focus on training and education of the General Purpose Force, so the majority of the Marines we train are in a younger demographic,” Smydra said. “Yale is great at establishing rapport and common linkages with these Marines, which only enhances the experience for teacher and student. His excitement for the region and the information comes out in his teaching and delivery. Marines relate to Yale and want to learn more.”
Needel’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, as he was recently recognized by Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley, president, Marine Corps University, for his labors. In addition, other branches of the military have recognized the value of his work and are in the process of trying schedule him to teach in between Marine commitments, Smydra said.
Needel knows from first-hand experience of the importance of such instruction. He was in Asia and witness on more than one occasion to foreign nationals rubbing the local population wrong and disrespecting local customs by inadvertently saying or doing the wrong thing.
His job is to make sure Marines don’t do likewise when representing the United States.
“It’s really to help [the Marines] understand their counterparts as much as to help their counterparts understand them,” Needel said. “The Marines need to know they’re on a mission and they have a responsibility, no matter their rank.”