MARADMINS : 139/04
R 251100Z MAR 04
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(uc)
TO AL MARADMIN(uc)
MARADMIN
BT
UNCLASSIFIED
MARADMIN 139/04
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I//
SUBJ/2003 DOD LINGUIST OF THE YEAR AWARD//
POC/WILES, A.C./CAPT/IOP/-/TEL:DSN 224-2082
/EMAIL:WILESAC@HQMC.USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THIS MARADMIN ANNOUNCES THE SELECTION OF THE
2003 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LINGUIST OF THE YEAR. ANNUALLY, EACH
SERVICE FORWARDS ONE NOMINATION FOR DOD LINGUIST OF THE YEAR. A
PANEL OF SENIOR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE DEFENSE
LANGUAGE INSTITUTE CHOOSE THE WINNER FROM THE FOUR NOMINEES. THIS
YEAR'S WINNER IS STAFF SERGEANT SCOTT J. STRYKOWSKI (MOS 2671) FROM
THIRD RADIO BATTALION, MARFORCENT.
2. STAFF SERGEANT STRYKOWSKI'S LINGUISTIC EXPERTISE PROVED
INVALUABLE DURING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM FROM FEBRUARY TO OCTOBER
2003. HE SERVED AS BOTH A TACTICAL SIGINT COLLECTION TEAM LEADER IN
SUPPORT OF FOUR INFANTRY BATTALIONS, AND A TRANSLATOR FOR CI/HUMINT
EXPLOITATION TEAMS. HIS HIGH LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY IN ARABIC
DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO FIRST MARINE DIVISION'S SUCCESS DURING
MISSION PLANNING, COMBAT OPERATIONS, AND STABILTY AND SECURITY
OPERATIONS. AT THE HEIGHT OF COMBAT OPERATIONS HIS TEAM PRODUCED
435 COLLECTION REPORTS THAT DIRECTLY INFLUENCED RAIDS ON IRAQI
FORMER REGIME LOYALISTS AND ARMS DEALERS. HE ALSO PROVIDED
LINGUISTIC SUPPORT TO INFANTRY PATROLS AND AIDED IN FIRE SUPPORT
MISSIONS. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AS A LINGUIST AND MARINE LEADER SAVED
LIVES AT THE FRONT LINE.
3. CONGRATULATIONS TO STAFF SERGEANT STRYKOWSKI FOR HIS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE.//