Each year the Navy recognizes the most outstanding Command Language Program, military and civilian language professionals, and non-career linguists contributing to mission success through the use of foreign language. Award categories are:
- Command Language Program of the Year
- Shannon M. Kent Award for Language Professional Excellence
- Senior Language Professional of the Year
- Officer Language Professional of the Year
- Civilian Language Professional of the Year
- Linguist of the Year
- Senior Linguist of the Year
- Officer Linguist of the Year
- Civilian Linguist of the Year
The top Navy Command Language Program and the winner of the Shannon M. Kent Award for Language Professional Excellence go on to compete at the DoD level. Read OPNAVINST 5400.46A for more information on language awards.
FY23 Navy Foreign Language Awards
OPNAV N13F is now taking foreign language award submissions for FY23.
-Deadline for submissions to OPNAV N13F is March 31, 2024.
-Send submissions via encrypted email or DoDSafe to ALTN_N13F1@navy.mil.
-Ensure submissions include TYCOM or equivalent endorsements for all LPOY submissions and CLPOY submission.
-All packages must contain a 1650/3 and citation that are editable.
-Use Template below and adjust subject/contents for the relevant award category.
Essay Questions
Answer the essay prompt for the relevant submission category.
- Shannon M. Kent Language Award for Language Professional Excellence, Senior Language Professional of the Year Award, or Civilian Language Professional of the Year Award
"Describe a strategy to train and sustain military language professionals in your organization to a proficiency level of 3/3 or higher in their Primary Language within the first 10 years of their career."
- Officer Language Professional of the Year Award
"Describe a strategy to train and sustain Navy FAOs to a proficiency level of 3/3/3 or higher in an AOR-aligned language within the first 10 years of their FAO career."
- Linguist of the Year, Senior Linguist of the Year, Officer Linguist of the Year, or Civilian Linguist of the Year Award
"Describe how you sustain and improve your foreign language skillset, and how that sustainment and improvement has helped you in the accomplishment of your mission."
Read NAVADMIN 016/24 to read Navy's official announcement and award eligibility criteria. The language awards template can be found here.
FY22 Navy Foreign Language Awards Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the FY22 Navy Foreign Language Award winners, announced in NAVADMIN 174/23! We apologize for a misprint that incorrectly identified the command affiliation of our Senior Language Professional of the Year winner, CTIC(IW/SW/AW) Jamie Biro. Chief Biro is assigned to Navy Information Operations Command Georgia. FY22 winners are:
- Command Language Program of the Year: Navy Information Operations Command Georgia (NIOC GA)
- Shannon M. Kent Award for Language Professional Excellence: CTI1(IW/EXW) Mason Lunsford, Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY SEVEN
- Senior Language Professional of the Year: CTIC(IW/SW/AW) Jamie Biro, Navy Information Operations Command Georgia (NIOC GA)
- Civilian Language Professional of the Year: Mr. Sepehr Sepahrom, Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement
- Linguist of the Year: HM2 Arshad Khan, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Quantico, VA
- Senior Linguist of the Year: BMC(SW/AW) Serhiy Dubenko, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
FY21 Navy Foreign Language Awards Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the FY21 Navy Foreign Language Awards, announced in NAVADMIN 148/22!
- Command Language Program of the Year: Navy Information Operations Command Georgia (NIOC GA)
- Shannon M. Kent Award for Language Professional Excellence: CTI1(IW) Theamichaela Coyle, Information Warfare Training Command, Monterey CA
- Senior Language Professional of the Year: CTIC(IW) Krystina Marshall, Cyber Strike Activity SIXTY THREE
- Officer Language Professional of the Year: CDR Arthur Fong, NR INDOPACOM J3 PHH
- Linguist of the Year: AM1(AW) Constantin Cazac, Defense Threat Reduction Agency