DRAPER, Utah -- Lt. Col. Steve Stevens, commander, 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 300th MI Brigade, Utah Army National Guard, was honored with the 2010 Rochefort Award last September.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have excelled throughout their military career in the field of crypto-logic linguistics.

The Crypto-Linguistic Association, part of the National Security Agency, established the Rochefort Award in 1989 to recognize long-term contributions of military linguists. Stevens said those who receive the award are recognized as outstanding linguists and placed in the highest ranks of the crypto-linguist field. The Rochefort Award is named after Capt. Joseph John Rochefort, a U.S. Naval officer, who was an influential figure in cryptography and intelligence during World War II, especially at the Battle of Midway.

“I’m honored and humbled to receive an award named after one of the great legends in military intelligence,” said Stevens. “It is especially meaningful because I am the first person ever in the reserve component to receive this accolade.”

As a crypto-linguist, Stevens’ primary responsibility is to provide translation of foreign language communications using signal equipment.

Throughout his military career with the Utah National Guard, Stevens has worked in various locations in Thailand as a linguist, interpreter and translator during annual Joint Combined Exercise Cobra Gold training exercises. He primarily served as a linguist and language analyst throughout the majority of his 20-year career with Utah Counterdrug Task Force. Stevens is currently the Counterdrug Coordinator for over 250 soldiers, airmen and civilians who work for the Counterdrug Task Force.

“(Working for counterdrug has been) exactly what I was looking for in a career,” said Stevens. “It’s nice to know that my language skills have been able to help get and keep drug traffickers off the street. Playing a small role in protecting our country from the ravaging effects of illegal drugs is extremely rewarding.”

In today’s military, crypto-logic linguists play an important role in military operations, especially during a time of war.

“Individuals who would do America and American citizen’s harm do not conduct their business in English,” said Stevens. “Crypto-logic linguists play a key role in helping track down enemies of our country so action arms can capture or kill them.”

In addition to his full-time job with Counterdrug, Stevens is the commander of the 142nd MI Bn. (Linguist). Stevens said he enjoys advocating for and working with his Soldiers in the 142nd MI Bn. He said the unit, which just celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2010, has an incredible mission that makes daily contributions to ensure national security.

“It’s great to be part of such a tremendous legacy,” said Stevens. “We have some major changes in structure, mission and location coming up so it’s exciting to be part of carrying the banner forward.”