Four International Military Student Officers (IMSO) received the 2018 IMSO of the Year Award during the 28th Maritime IMSO Workshop Aug. 27.

Civilian and military administrators who work with international military students (IMS) attend the three-day event to network and discuss topics related to the unique requirements of managing international training programs.

Capt. Lawrence E. Meehan, director for U.S. Central Command and Saudi division, Navy International Programs Office (NIPO), was the keynote speaker.

“The ‘soft power’ - the ability to aid, advise and build relationships with international military students is at the heart of the IMSO,” said Meehan. “That ‘soft power’ is one of the greatest exports of the U.S. government and central to the IMSO program.” 

Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) conducts the workshop on behalf of NIPO in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard Directorate of International Affairs and Foreign Policy and the Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group.

The IMSOs of the Year are recognized for their sustained superior performance in IMSO knowledge, dedication and innovation. Criteria looked at for selection includes student throughput; administration compliance; extraordinary effort providing IMS and dependent support; creativity, depth and effectiveness of the Field Studies Program; and assistance provided to other IMSOs for the improvement of the overall IMSO program.

The awardees are:
* Billy Martin, Large Command IMSO of the Year 
* Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Simon Stewart III, Medium Command IMSO of the Year 
* Lt. Daniel Emma, Small Command IMSO of the Year 
* Lt. Antoine Adams, U.S. Coast Guard IMSO of the Year 

NETSAFA is the U.S. Navy's agent for international education and training. NETSAFA coordinates training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the command serves as a focal point for all security assistance training program issues, coordination and advice within the U.S. Navy.

For more information about NETSAFA, visit https://www.netsafa.navy.mil.

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