NLSC Leadership
CDR Jed R. Espiritu
USN, SPHR
National Language Service Corps
Associate Director
DLNSEO Plans and Policy
Commander (CDR) Jed R. Espiritu oversees the policies, priorities, and operations of the National Language Service Corps (NLSC). Engaging across the Federal Government, CDR Espiritu ensures the NLSC program meets its goals as set by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
A native of California and the son of a retired U.S. Navy senior chief, CDR Espiritu began his career at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in systems engineering. Upon graduation, he trained as a scuba diver and submarine officer, serving on a submarine in various officer positions.
In 2004, CDR Espiritu completed a master of business administration at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was selected as a Conrad Scholar for distinguished academic achievement in financial management for his thesis on Navy shipyard change management. In 2005, he reported to the military compensation branch of the chief of naval personnel in Washington, DC, where he developed policy and managed and advanced legislative initiatives.
As the operations officer of the Denver Military Entrance Processing Station from 2007, CDR Espiritu conducted organizational strategic planning and developed unit reward, incentive, training, and volunteer programs. While there, he earned his senior professional human resource certification and commenced a doctoral program in organizational leadership.
In 2010, CDR Espiritu became the officer in charge of personnel support detachment in Yokosuka, Japan. Following the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, he was recognized as the Navy’s “Human Resources Community Junior Officer of the Year” for his leadership in executing the voluntary departure of over 3,600 family members, while also serving as commander of Navy Region Japan Military Personnel Services.
After a tour as executive officer to the chief of staff at U.S. Africa Command and operations officer for the command’s human resources division, in 2016 CDR Espiritu assumed command of the Military Entrance Processing Battalion in New York. He successfully completed his command tour in May 2018, having also earned a doctor of business administration degree in April 2017, writing a dissertation on Navy commanding officer misconduct.
In his current work as NLSC director, CDR Espiritu directs policies, priorities, and operations of the NLSC. He also serves as associate director of NLSC’s administrating office, the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO). In this latter role, CDR Espiritu assists the DLNSEO director across the spectrum of plans, policy, and engagement of senior Department of Defense leadership.
CDR Espiritu’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and various service and unit awards.
Ernie Andrada
National Language Service Corps
National Language Service Corps (NLSC) Associate Director Ernesto “Ernie” Andrada is responsible for ensuring NLSC provides capability across the full range of language needs throughout the Federal Government.
Prior to joining NLSC and its administrator, the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, Mr. Andrada served 22 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 2007.
He began his career as a non-commissioned officer, where he served with Fighter Squadron 84 and Fighter Squadron 41 at Naval Air Station Oceana, where he deployed aboard the USS Nimitz and the USS Roosevelt. He also served with the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department in NAS, Oceana, VA, and at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.
As a commissioned officer, Mr. Andrada completed various sea and shore rotations. He served as the disbursing/sales and services officer on the USS McFaul and completed a department head tour aboard the USS Ticonderoga, both in Pascagoula, MS. He served as the budget officer for the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Health and Physical Readiness Division at Navy Personnel Command and as the supply officer for the Center for Career Development, Navy Personnel Command, both in Millington, TN.
Mr. Andrada’s final tours were with the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC, as the executive assistant to the director of the Financial Management Division and as a budget analyst with the Budget Submitting Office.
Mr. Andrada earned an executive master’s degree in business administration from the Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and has both a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering and master’s degree in engineering from Old Dominion University. He earned his Certified Defense Financial Manager—Acquisition (CDFM-A) Certification in 2010 and his DoD Financial Management Certification in 2016.
The Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) administers NLSC as part of its mission to develop and execute programs to remedy foreign culture and language shortfalls across the U.S. Government. DLNSEO’s administration is guided by the National Security Education Board, which serves as the governing and advisory body for NLSC. To learn about the leadership at DLNSEO and NSEP, visit:
https://dlnseo.org/content/leadership
https://www.nsep.gov/content/national-security-education-board
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