Seven International Military Student Officers (IMSO) received the 2017 IMSO of the Year Award during the 27th Maritime IMSO Workshop Feb. 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.

Rear Adm. Frank Morley, director, Navy International Programs Office (NIPO), was the keynote speaker.

"Relationships are so incredibly important in our ever-changing operating environments," said Morley. "Throughout my career, I have seen examples of international exercises go smoothly due to previously established relationships and impressions, which have been made by professionals doing what you do. You help to provide leadership with options and bolster global stability."

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.

"We have a talented group of military and civilian IMSOs," said Capt. Courtney Smith, NETSAFA commanding officer. "The work they do is crucial to the success of our maritime relationships with partner nations."

Smith along with Charlie Caruolo, U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) special projects officer, and Jim Miller from the U.S. Marine Corps International Affairs Branch joined Morley to present awards and letters of commendation to the recipients of the 2017 IMSO of the Year award.

The awardees are:

* Chief Maritime Enforcement Specialist Karl Mailander, U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, Charleston, South Carolina

* Chief Operations Specialist Brandon Vance, U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, Petaluma, California

* Angela Miller, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Virginia

* Robert Hogan, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina

* Kathi Noyes, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California

* Vicky Garrold, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island

* Chiko Buyo, Chief of Naval Air Training, Corpus Christi, Texas

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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For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.