The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center virtually hosted its annual Advanced Command Language Program Manager workshop Sep. 9-10, 2025.
The event brought together language professionals from across military and federal agencies to discuss lessons learned and ways to improve processes with other senior language-qualified personnel. The purpose of the ACLPM is to arm language program managers with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively advise command teams on language readiness and cultural matters.
“I believe that you guys are the forefront and the touch points that we need here at DLI,” DLIFLC Commandant Col. Christy Whitfield told the participants in her welcoming remarks. Events like these, she said, help the language community – and DLIFLC specifically – to better understand how to modernize language training programs to meet mission effectiveness.
“You are the frontline individuals that understand your commanders’ requirements,” she said. “You help inform how we innovate and change to meet the needs of the warfighter.”
A highlight of the workshop is the bestowing of the Language Professional of the Year and Command Language Program of the Year awards. The process involves the four services nominating their best linguists and language programs, and DLIFLC’s command sergeant major conducting a panel to select the best.
This year, the Naval Information Operations Center Pacific was named Command Language Program of the Year and Sgt. Monica Kim was awarded the Language Professional of the Year Award.
“Sgt. Kim’s language proficiency in multiple foreign languages is remarkable,” said Lewis Schnake, a training specialist in Command Language Program Support who helped put together the workshop. “Her technical skills and leadership within her language community speak volumes about the caliber of linguists serving in the military.”
The CLPM program is a key component of DLIFLC’s mission to enhance and maintain language capabilities of service members through the support of some 300 Command Language Program Managers throughout the force.
These managers are, in turn, charged with supporting linguists to maintain and improve their language skills, helping commanders navigate complex operational environments in protecting national security, as well as improving interoperability with Allied and Partner forces.
