R 101723Z MAY 18
MARADMIN 263/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I//
SUBJ/FY2017 MARINE CORPS COMMAND LANGUAGE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR AND LANGUAGE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS//
POC/A. E. SAGEBIEL/MSGT/UNIT CMC WASHINGTON DC I/-/TEL: DSN 224-6561/EMAIL: ANN.SAGEBIEL@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  I am pleased to announce 3d Radio Battalion (RadBn) as the FY17 Marine Corps Command Language Program of the Year, and Lance Corporal Christopher Levine (PMOS 2641), from Company H, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion (MCSB), as the FY17 Marine Corps Language Professional of the Year.  A panel of senior language professionals selected 3d RadBn and LCpl Levine from a group of highly competitive nominees from across the total force.
2.  3d RadBns Command Language Program (CLP) effectively prepared over 103 Marine cryptologic linguists to support operational requirements levied by III Marine Expeditionary Force.  3d RadBn increased overall linguist proficiency by 3%.  The unit executed an additional 40% of language training events to facilitate deliberately generated individual language training plans for Marines.
3.  LCpl Levine contributed exceptional linguistic support while assigned to Co H, MCSB.  LCpl Levine attained a 3/4 (Listening/Reading) in his primary Language, Spanish, on the Defense Language Proficiency Test, an impressive accomplishment that demonstrates his dedication to high achievement, while also attaining a 3L/3R in Portuguese.  Throughout the period, LCpl Levine provided language support to search and rescue operations following Hurricane Maria.  He also supported numerous counternarcotic operations which resulted in the seizure of narcotics and detention of narcotraffickers, in addition to strengthening Marine Corps and Coast Guard relationships.
4.  3d RadBn and LCpl Levine will compete for the FY2017 DoD Command Language Program of the Year and Language Professional of the Year, respectively.
5.  Further, 3d RadBn and LCpl Levine will be recognized at this years DoD Command Language Program Managers Conference in Monterey, CA, on 28 August 2018, and the Marine Corps Association and Foundation Intelligence Awards Dinner in Arlington, VA, on 20 September 2018.
6.  Release authorized by Ms. L. J. Ferguson, Deputy Assistant Director of Intelligence for Resources, U.S. Marine Corps.//