Navy announced the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) Language Professional and Linguist of the Year award recipients and the Command Language Program of the Year, June 7.

The recipients distinguished themselves through use of critical foreign language skills in order to achieve mission success.

The Navy Language, Regional Expertise and Culture Office reviewed submissions from many outstanding nominees.

The FY18 award recipients are:

- Language Professional of the Year: Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Ericka Pierluissi-Jovet, representing U.S. Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC), Bahrain

- Non-Career Linguist of the Year: Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Polina Kozak, representing Naval Special Warfare Mission Support Center, Coronado, Calif.

- Senior Non-Career Linguist of the Year: Chief Gunner’s Mate Luiggi Baldo, representing Naval Special Warfare Mission Support Center, Coronado, Calif.

- Command Language Program of the Year: NIOC Georgia, Fort Gordon, Ga.

Pierluissi-Jovet will compete for the distinction of the Department of Defense FY18 Language Professional of the Year, which is the DoD’s top award recognizing outstanding military language professionals and their accomplishments.  This award serves to highlight the critical role that military linguists play in supporting missions around the world.

NIOC Georgia will compete for the DoD FY18 Command Language Program of the Year award, in which top performing command language programs compete to establish themselves as the DoD’s premier language program.

For more information on the awards or the Navy's language programs visit http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/language_culture/Pages/default2.aspx.

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