09L Interpreter/Translator vs 35P Cryptologic Linguist?

C Eaves — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 18:35:09 -0400

What are some of the differences and similarities (beside working a foreign language) between 09L and 35P? My current impression is that one is basically front lines while the other is doing signals interception within an intelligence community/station...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2020 8:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 20:04:44 -0400

I've been to school with both actually.

09L are native to the language they are performing in. The ones I went to school with were actually from places like the middle east or grew up with families from there. They are culture and language experts and very rare. Its probably the smallest MOS in the military (to compare, I come from a small MOS and had 30 people in my class. They only had 2). They are often used as translators for interrogation and more important *can't mess this up* stuff.

35P can be anyone (that qualifies) that goes to DLI to learn their language. They listen to a lot of radios and translate messages/signal interception like you mentioned. 35P have more of a variety with what they can do because there are more of them to pass around. Both can be hands on, both can be desk work.