
The tournament is held in conjunction with the 36th annual Language Conference which is the nation’s largest gathering of intelligence linguists, national security and academic professionals in the entire Defense Language Enterprise. More than 1,000 attendees are expected from more than 120 organizations throughout the field. The conference features keynote addresses from senior military leaders and others who will speak on this year’s theme “Linguists on the New Front Line,” providing unique insights into the operational and strategic challenges of this new kind of warfare, offering a deeper understanding of the evolving battlespace, and the tools to excel in that battle.
“As the United States faces increasingly complex threats, linguists with advanced language skills, cultural expertise, and technical training are on the cutting edge of our national defense,” said Col. Scott Chalmers, commander of the 300th MI. “Whether in cyberspace, developing critical intelligence, or countering disinformation, linguists are part of the team that ensures we stay ahead of our adversaries. The work they do on this New Front Line is pivotal in shaping the course of military operations and safeguarding our nation’s interests in an interconnected world.”
The conference and linguist competition bring together professionals from a variety of backgrounds to focus on the critical role of Intelligence Linguists in today’s rapidly evolving security environment. The front lines are no longer confined to distant battlefields. Instead, they extend into virtual spaces, cyber warfare, and the vast realms of geopolitical competition. Adversaries are adapting to exploit these new domains, and Intelligence Linguists are responding in ways that go far beyond traditional roles.
For further details about the competition, a demonstration version of previous competition content is available at https://intellinguists.com/mini-bli
Contact: Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber
Utah National Guard Public Affairs
(801) 716-9063
Email: [email protected]
Air: https://www.151arw.ang.af.mil/
Army: https://ut.ng.mil/
Media Notes: Media desiring to attend any part of the event should contact Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber at 801-716-9063 (text) or email at [email protected].

Photos taken during the 2024 Best Linguist Competition.
