The 300th MIB (LING) hosted the 35th Annual Language Conference and 6th Annual Best Linguist Competition on 2-3 FEB 2024 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"Linguists in the Gray Zone"
Featuring
Colonel Cody Strong, commander 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist), left, moderates a discussion with the Honorable Jon Huntsman Jr., former Ambassador to China and Russia and 16th governor of Utah, during the 35th annual Language Conference hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Captain Michael Resendiz
This year’s Language Conference was attended by more than 800 military members and civilians making it the largest event in several years. The theme of the conference was “Linguists in the Gray Zone” and focused on enhancing the geopolitical and cultural perspectives of Military Intelligence Linguists regarding China and Russia.
Highlights included an opening message from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and an insightful moderated discussion with the Honorable Jon Huntsman Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and China. His insights into leadership, diplomacy, and international relations emphasized the importance of linguistic expertise in contemporary security challenges and the role the 300th MIB (LING) will play in that effort.
Competitors demonstrated their linguistic skill and cultural knowledge in both team and individual competition in Russian, Chinese-Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Persian-Farsi, French, and Spanish. The competitors experienced challenging scenarios that stretched their abilities and forced them to collaborate the information they learned in their language with information their teammates gained in a different language.
Colonel Cody Strong, commander of the 300th MIB (LING), briefed regarding the current status and future efforts of the Brigade’s alignment to Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) and their Theater Military Intelligence Brigades. The conference featured a rich program of presentations and briefings on topics ranging from linguistic analysis and cultural intelligence to emerging technologies in language translation and interpretation.
Dr. Joel Wuthnow, National Defense University Institute for National Strategic Studies discusses China during the opening day of the 35th annual Language Conference hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Captain Michael Resendiz
Command Sergeant Major Edmundo Garcia reflected on the growing success of the Best Linguist Competition, noting the increasing quality and dedication of participants, which strengthens the force and ensures readiness in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Intel-Linguists practice their language skills during the Document and Media Exploitation portion of the Best Linguist Competition hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Captain Michael Resendiz
Intel-Linguists practice their language skills during the Operational Analysis portion of the Best Linguist Competition hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Captain Michael Resendiz
The 300th MIB (LING) remains a pivotal force in linguistic analysis and intelligence operations, dedicated to enhancing national security through language proficiency and cultural understanding. The successful events of this year’s conference and competition highlight the brigade’s commitment to their motto, EXCELLENCE IN LANGUAGE!
Staff Sergeant Rodriguez translating during the Voice Intercept portion of the Best Linguist Competition hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Captain Michael Resendiz
The Honorable Jon Huntsman Jr., former Ambassador to China and Russia, poses with Colonel Cody Strong, commander 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist), right, after his moderated discussion during the Language Conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, on Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Captain Caleb Bills
The only Military Intelligence Linguist Brigade in the Army, the Army National Guard’s 300th MIB (LING) consists of five Military Intelligence Linguist Battalions headquartered in four States (141st - Utah, 142nd - Utah, 223rd - California, 260th - Florida, and 341st - Washington). The Soldiers of the Brigade specialize in Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Counterintelligence (CI) and have proficiency in more than 50 languages. In 2022, as part of the Army’s Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model (ReARMM), the Brigade was aligned to Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) as their functional language Brigade and each of the Brigade’s battalions were aligned with INSCOM’s Theater Military Intelligence Brigades.
The winning teams are celebrated and awarded medals for their achievement at the 6th Annual Best Linguist Competition hosted by the 300th MIB (LING), Utah National Guard, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 3, 2024. 1st Place (top center): United States Army Reserve, 2nd Place (bottom left): combined team from the 141st Military Intelligence Battalion (Linguist) and 501st Military Intelligence Brigade U.S. Forces Korea, 3rd Place (bottom right): Headquarters Marine Corps. Photo by Captain Caleb Bills
The culmination of the 6th Annual Best Linguist Competition highlighted outstanding achievements in linguistic excellence. Three winning teams emerged, showcasing exceptional proficiency in languages to include Arabic, Chinese-Mandarin, French, Korean, Persian-Farsi, Russian, and Spanish. Their success not only celebrated individual brilliance but also demonstrated the collaborative strength within the linguist community.
The brigade hosted the 6th annual Best Linguist Competition (Polyglot Games) that brought together more than 200 linguists from nearly 80 different units and organizations.
As in all competitions, only a select few can be crowned victors, the following intel-linguists excelled in their respective languages, showcasing unparalleled skills and cultural understanding.
Chinese-Mandarin
1st Place
CPT Cao, Henry (436th CABN)
2nd Place
SSG Zhao, Mengyu (43rd ECS)
3rd Place
SGT Hammond, Andrew (3rd Radio BN)
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Korean
1st Place
SSG Choi, Andrew (344th MI BN)
2nd Place
SFC Lim, Doug (373rd MI BN)
3rd Place
SSG Kim, Chul (223rd MI BN)
Persian Farsi
1st Place
1LT Dakic, Milovan (820th Combat Ops)
2nd Place
CPL Housten, Ryan (MCSB)
3rd Place
SGT Ritorto, Brianna (MCSB)
​
Spanish
1st Place
SSG Myamoto, Brady (142nd MI BN)
2nd Place
SSG James, Roy (415th MI BN)
3rd Place
SSG Ngo, Kelvin (311th MI BN)
French
1st Place
LTC Flambert, Phillip (1st Marine RGT)
2nd Place
SFC Cuellar, Sergio (207th MI BDE)
3rd Place
SSG Lamawi, Abdellah (706th MI Group)
​
Arabic
1st Place
TSGT Smith, Dallas (16th AF)
2nd Place
SSG Alsaaede, Ahmed (741st MI BN)
3rd Place
CPL Evans, Alyssa (2nd Radio BN)
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Russian
1st Place
SSG Yurkov, Sergiy (USAR)
2nd Place
1LT Demidoff, Igor (Intelligence Group)
3rd Place
SSG Allan, Lesley (344th MI BN)