The Marine Corps is accepting nominations for two FY25 awards: Language Professional of the Year (LPoY) and Command Language Program of the Year (CLPoY). Both are open to reserve Marines and commands. Winners become the Marine Corps nominees for the Department of War-level competition, with recognition events in summer and fall 2026.
Heads up: The CLPoY package deadline is 15 May 2026, which may already be close or passed by the time you read this. Check with your unit's Command Language Program Manager immediately.
Who it affects
LPoY: Active and reserve Marines, any MOS, in grade E-6 or below, who used their language skills in direct support of operating forces during FY25 (1 Oct 2024 to 30 Sep 2025). Nominees must have certified Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) level 2 or higher on at least two modalities (listening, reading, or speaking) via DLPT or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), and must meet current PFT and waist-to-height ratio standards.
CLPoY: Any command that ran a Command Language Program (CLP) during FY25 and wants to be recognized for it.
What you need to do
For LPoY nominees and nominators:
- Confirm the Marine meets eligibility (E-6 or below, valid FY25 DLPT scores at ILR 2+ on two modalities, meets fitness standards).
- Get a unit commander nomination memorandum endorsed up the chain to the first O-6.
- Pull the nominee's current Foreign Language Proficiency 118 remarks, BTR, or equivalent official documentation of FY25 DLPT scores.
- Have the nominee write an essay (no more than 5 double-spaced pages, 12-point Arial) on this topic: "What strategies can linguists use to balance operational requirements and life demands while maintaining or improving language proficiency?"
- Submit the complete package as a PDF to
ForeignLanguageProgram@usmc.milno later than 5 June 2026.
For CLPoY nominators:
The package template and evaluation criteria follow DLIFLC Pam 351-1. The package must not exceed 12 pages and covers 11 required areas (program description, council, training, DLPT results, retention, etc.). Submit as a PDF to ForeignLanguageProgram@usmc.mil no later than 15 May 2026.
Templates and past example packages for both awards are at https://go.intelink.gov/FLP (requires NIPR/Intelink access) or by emailing ForeignLanguageProgram@usmc.mil.
Key dates
| Milestone | Deadline |
|---|---|
| CLPoY package due to HQMC | 15 May 2026 |
| LPoY package due to HQMC | 5 June 2026 |
| HQMC awards board convenes | June 2026 |
| DoW LPoY/CLPoY board at DLIFLC, Monterey | July 2026 |
| PowerPoint presentations due to POC | 7 August 2026 |
| DoW recognition ceremony / ACLPM Workshop (virtual) | 15-17 September 2026 |
All nominated actions must have occurred between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025.
The official version
This is MARADMIN 215/26. Direct questions to MSgt E. C. Wheeler III at ForeignLanguageProgram@usmc.mil. The CLPoY evaluation standard is DLIFLC Pam 351-1, Evaluation Guidelines for DoD Command Language Programs (28 November 1995), available through the link above or by email to the POC.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.