From Moscow to Monterey: a linguistic odyssey

From Moscow to Monterey: a linguistic odyssey

In the heart of America’s melting pot, Irena Anokhin stands as a testament to the power of language and the resilience of the human spirit. Her story, a blend of multiculturalism and dedication, stretches from the bustling streets of Moscow to the academic halls of...
From apprentice to master: Commandant’s vision

From apprentice to master: Commandant’s vision

Col. James A. Kievit, a former infantry officer and currently a U.S. Army Special Operations Civil Affairs officer with multiple overseas deployments, is no stranger to challenge, on or off the battlefield. Behind his unassuming and quiet demeanor lies a brilliant...
Russian national teaches Chinese to military

Russian national teaches Chinese to military

In the halls of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, California, you’ll find an unassuming figure whose passion for languages has shaped an extraordinary journey. “I learned English as my first foreign language in kindergarten and...
TRADOC senior enlisted leader visits DLIFLC

TRADOC senior enlisted leader visits DLIFLC

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris, observed two Chinese Mandarin classes at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center March 4, while engaged on a tour to visit TRADOC installations...
From the Khyber Pass to the Pacific Coast

From the Khyber Pass to the Pacific Coast

In the heart of the Khyber Valley, where the mountains stand as a silent witness to centuries of history, Lutfullah Fareedzai’s story began amidst the turmoil of war. “My birth, occurring under challenging circumstances, became a tale of survival,” Lutfullah recalled,...
First appointed female leader in Institute history

First appointed female leader in Institute history

For Woman’s History Month, we celebrate one of our own. A milestone event, the first appointed female to lead the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center was Col. Sue Ann Sandusky from 2007-2010. The day Sandusky received an email entitled “Hot Job,”...