Foreword from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point

Abstract

In this Foreword from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, COL Gregory reflects on "how language educators can better prepare learners to navigate contemporary linguistic and cultural environments" and the importance of language aptitude, cross-cultural competence, and learner autonomy to meet the needs of the U.S. military today. He notes that the efforts of the institutions highlighted here "will prove well spent at other places at other times, when the country will rely on the faculty of attention and nuance of judgment that can be the hallmark of cross socio-linguistic sophistication of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers, the  cryptolinguists, the Foreign Area Officers and so many others that we are privileged to call our students." This reflection reminds readers of the importance of humanity and engagement in language learning.