QUANTICO, Va. -- QUANTICO, Va. -- Capt. Daniela Carchedi didn’t know her passion for language would take her from counterintelligence operations in West Africa to the finals of a high-stakes military linguist competition.
Yet, in a competition built for trained cryptologic linguists, she and her team, none of whom were full-time linguists, secured second place.
As a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Carchedi has relied on French in ways most outside the intelligence world never do—working alongside foreign military partners, briefing commanders on threats in Africa, and analyzing intelligence on the spot.
AFOSI has long recognized that language is more than a skill—it’s a strategic asset. In 2010, the agency launched the Language Regional Expertise and Culture (LREC) Program to build this capability across the force.
Separate from the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP), the LREC program equips agents with the linguistic and cultural tools to connect with host-nation partners, gather critical information, and build lasting, mission-focused relationships that enhance Department of the Air Force security worldwide.
But earlier this year, Carchedi took those skills to a different kind of battlefield—competing under pressure at the 7th Annual Best Linguist Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“We were the only team that wasn’t made up of full-time linguists,” she said. “We came from different career fields, but we held our own against people who do this as their job every day.”
Hosted by the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, the competition pushed participants through a gauntlet of real-world military intelligence scenarios. They intercepted voice communications, analyzed documents, and briefed commanders on enemy operations -- all in a foreign language.
For Carchedi, the challenge mirrored the realities of working in contested environments, where language is a strategic advantage.
Test unlike any other
Carchedi, competing in the French division, finished eighth among officers and 14th overall with a score of 79.5.
“There were moments I thought, ‘I should understand this,’ but it just wasn’t clicking,” she said. “The listening portion was challenging, because recordings featured accents I was unfamiliar with, along with static interference and rapid, technical dialogue.
“It’s a different challenge when you’re in a high-stress, time-sensitive situation trying to analyze intelligence in another language,” she added.
While listening was her biggest hurdle, Carchedi excelled in reading and analysis, quickly interpreting intelligence documents, open-source media and intercepted communications, she said.
However, one of the most intense moments came during a vehicle search scenario.
Under time constraints and wearing night vision goggles, teams had to identify and translate foreign-language intelligence materials.
“It was like a real-world intelligence mission, but on fast forward,” she said. “You had to pick out the most critical pieces of information, decide what was worth keeping, and do it all in a foreign language before the time ran out.”
The final test was a strategic intelligence briefing, where competitors had to translate and interpret information in real time before delivering an intelligence summary report to a military commander.
The pressure was immense, but Carchedi said her team thrived, climbing from a previous ninth-place ranking to second overall.
"I observed the LEAP team at the competition, and Special Agent Carchedi’s command of French set her apart,” said Capt. Alexandru Stoica, AFCLC Language Division deputy chief and Romanian LEAP scholar.
“Whether translating, tackling a complex scenario, or simply conversing with another francophone, her ability to communicate and support her teammates had a significant impact on their performance,” Stoica added.
This ability to quickly process and interpret information wasn’t just an individual strength for Carchedi, it was a key factor in her team’s success.
“The best part was watching how all of us, from different backgrounds, worked together,” Carchedi said. “Despite speaking different languages, we pieced together intelligence to build a full picture of the problem set.
“That’s what makes language so powerful is it’s not just about words, it’s about understanding perspectives, cultures and operations in a way that can change outcomes,” she added.
But Carchedi’s success in the competition wasn’t just about natural ability, it was the result of years of dedication and preparation.
Before stepping into the linguist competition, she logged 398 hours of formal training through the Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC.)
"The skills she demonstrated against the best in the DoD and interagency, the accolades, the opportunities—these are a product of her hardworking spirit and the mind of a humble learner," said Howard Ward, director of AFCLC. "Special Agent Carchedi embodies every quality we want in a LEAP Scholar, and we’re immensely proud of her and how she represents the program."
Mission-ready skillset
But Carchedi’s connection to language began long before she put on a military uniform.
Born in outside Philadelphia to a Dutch mother and Italian father, she was raised speaking Dutch, Italian and English. However, as she grew older, her mother decided to focus on English to avoid confusion in school, and she gradually lost fluency in her other languages.
“Even though I lost Dutch and Italian, I always had an interest in languages,” she said. “When I had to pick a foreign language in school, I chose French, partly because I thought it might help me reconnect with Italian, but also because I wanted to challenge myself.”
That challenge quickly turned into a passion.
While studying International Affairs at George Washington University, Carchedi earned a French language certificate and took additional language courses beyond her degree requirements.
Determined to immerse herself in the language, she also studied abroad in Morocco and Senegal, experiencing firsthand the cultural importance of language.
At the same time, she pursued a commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and joined LEAP, a move that set the stage for her future use of language in counterintelligence and military operations.
“I didn’t want language to just be something I studied,” she said. “I wanted it to be something I used.”
After graduating, she attended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy, where she trained to become a Special Agent.
Her first assignment was as a counterintelligence investigator at Edwards Air Force Base, California, specializing in detecting and neutralizing foreign intelligence threats and insider threats.
Recognizing the strategic value of regional expertise, she later attended the Naval Postgraduate School, earning a Master’s in Regional Area Studies with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, a decision that would shape her operational career.
French as a force multiplier
It was in Africa where Carchedi’s French skills became mission critical.
Initially deployed to Niger for what was supposed to be a two-week knowledge exchange, she was quickly asked to stay for five months, embedding with French-speaking military and law enforcement partners.
“When you rely on a translator, there’s always a level of separation,” she said. “Speaking directly, even if I’m not perfect, builds trust and shows investment. It makes a difference when you can have real conversations -- whether it’s about security concerns or just asking someone about their family.”
Throughout her time in Niger, Carchedi provided counterintelligence support to force protection, contributed to multinational security cooperation and participated in host-nation information exchanges as part of the AFOSI deployed mission.
In Benin and Togo, she participated in French language immersions through LEAP, gaining valuable regional and cultural insights in a student capacity.
She later led Expeditionary Det. 2503 at Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger, leading liaison efforts with partner nations and providing counterintelligence support to force protection alongside French-speaking forces.
Her ability to communicate in French became an essential tool for navigating complex political and military environments.
Carchedi’s language skills also proved critical in diplomatic and high-profile settings. In 2023, she supported Det. 538, the AFOSI unit assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Paris, during the Paris Air Show, the world’s largest aerospace exhibition.
“Her ability to communicate and deconflict potential threats with our French counterparts was essential to mission success,” said Special Agent Aaron Yardley, Special Agent-in-Charge of Det. 538, at the U.S. embassy in Paris.
While far removed from the challenges of West Africa, the air show posed its own operational demands, requiring precision, coordination and real-time communication with French security counterparts.
“You don’t just learn a language; you learn how people think, how they solve problems, how they negotiate,” she said. “That’s crucial in intelligence and security work, where cultural nuances can make all the difference.”
Her skills also took her to France and Germany, where she worked on joint security concerns with U.S. and allied counterintelligence agencies. In addition, she supported security efforts and participated in a pre-deployment training program for French gendarmerie forces.
“You don’t just learn a language; you learn how people think, how they solve problems, how they negotiate,” she said. “That’s crucial in intelligence and security work, where cultural nuances can make all the difference.”
The Best Linguist Competition reinforced this lesson. Looking back on the competition, she saw it as more than just a test of language -- it was a test of mission readiness.
“Carchedi is a hard charger, very motivated individual, and has a deep passion for the French language,” Stoica said. “I was very glad Daniela was a part of our Best Linguist team because her personality and professionalism were unmatched and appreciated by all.”
But for Carchedi, language extends beyond competition—it’s a tool she relies on in high-stakes environments where communication can shape outcomes.
“Whether it’s a linguist competition or a real-world mission, language is about more than just translating words, it’s about understanding people,” Carchedi said. “And in this job, that can make all the difference.”