2003 DoD Linguist of the Year Award
This MARADMIN announces that Staff Sergeant Scott J. Strykowski (MOS 2671) from Third Radio Battalion, MARFORCENT, has been selected as the 2003 Department of Defense Linguist of the Year. SSgt Strykowski was recognized for his exceptional Arabic language proficiency and invaluable contributions during Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2003.
Issued: March 25, 2004
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.