Commandant

Col. Christy L. Whitfield

Prior to coming to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Col. Christy L. Whitfield served as the J2X Division Chief in the Intelligence Directorate at the United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Whitfield graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Louisiana State University in December 2002 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from LSU, a Master of Military Arts and Science in Conflict, Security, and Development and a Master of Strategic Studies. Her military education includes the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Captains’ Career Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.

Whitfield’s intelligence assignments include: Assistant Brigade S2 in the 6th U.S. Cavalry Brigade in Camp Humphries, Korea; Battalion S2 and Assistant Brigade S2 in the 173d Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy; Senior Intelligence Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, CO; Intelligence Planner for the United States Army Special Operations Command, Troop Commander and Executive Officer in the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Brigade S2 for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division; Collection Manager for XVllI Airborne Corps; Senior Targeting and Liaison Officer for 3rd Operational Support Group; Squadron Commander in JSOC at Fort Liberty, NC; and the Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan.

Whitfield’s deployments and operational assignments include Operation Enduring Freedom, AF (05-06), Special Operations Task Force – Central, IZ (08-09), Operation Enduring Freedom, AF (13, 14), Operation Inherent Resolve, KU, IZ, SY (16-17, 18) and Operation Freedom Sentinel, AF (20-21).

Her awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (1 Combat Device), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2nd campaign stars), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (with 1 campaign star), NATO Medal (ISAF) and the Korean Defense Service Medal. She is a fully joint qualified officer and has earned the Parachutist Badge, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Bronze), Canadian and Polish airborne wings, and the Combat Action Badge.