Choosing Language Speciality; Does the Army take into consideration your existing language skills?

SPC Lukas Jones — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 04:19:08 -0500

I am working toward my goal of reclassify into a language dependent MOS and I have taken my DLAB with great scores. After talking to an AC recruiter, I have discovered that there is no way to choose a language. I am conversational (but not fluent) in German and would prefer to gain fluency in that language rather than learning a totally new language thy I may mot even be passionate about.

Now that that is out of the way, my question is this: does the Army give you a preference choice on Languages (like you get with duty station assignments) or is it completely up to luck of the draw? It seems that there should be some savy recruiters out there (and some higher-up brass) that would understand the benefits of allowing translators to choose their preferred languages to learn.

Thoughts on this?

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Jan 5 at 2015 8:00 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:16 -0500

Your initial language is based off the DLAB -- the DLAB is made-up languages that are designed to closely mirror the grammatical construction patterns of real-world languages. Based on which language pattern you most closely identify with, they assign you a language in that category. So unless something changed in the last 20 years since I went through, anyone who is an initial-entry trainee there who tells you they chose their language is probably lying, or a very special case (so special as to be rare).

Now -- that being said, you can most certainly request a language. It's called re-enlistment. I did it.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 1:05 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:05:26 -0500

In the last MILPER Message 14-367 Update to Reclass In and Out Calls, the only 35P that has a shortage are the 35P AZ. That includes all Arabic Dialects (AD, AE, AJ, AK, AL, AM, AN, AP, AQ, AU, AV, BS, BW, DG,
DH, IC, QE, QW). The rest of the languages are either balanced or over strength. You can look for yourself here https://www.hrc.army.mil/Milper/PrintPreview.aspx?MILPERID=14-367 I hope that gives you more info about what MOS to reclass.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 1:54 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 13:54:13 -0500

I'm starting a language class later this year at the JFK center. I was interviewed (as a group) by the language manager at the center and we were allowed to put down our own preference but its not really a guarantee unless the unit I'm going to needs it. I think your best bet is to simply ask for your preferred language when you show up to your school house and be very clear that you have already been studying German!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 8:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:01:32 -0500

Good work on learning German. I'm sure there are good German-coded jobs out there for linguists. But, lots and lots of people speak German, especially in the Army.

I'd recommend going for a difficult or unique language that is on the critical language list. As many have noted, the in-call is for Arabic. You can't go wrong with that choice, and it'll be worth much more outside the military.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 11:59 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 11:59:58 -0500

Currently the Army isn't authorized any German Linguists just a heads up. You can find these numbers on the IKN website then go to OCMI from there click enlisted proponent and 35P. On the right hand side there will be a link that says December update on there you will be able to see what languages are authorized what skill levels and positions

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2015 11:53 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 23:53:14 -0500

Needs of the Army. I know plenty of people who are heritage speakers. They end up going to DLI for a different language. However that being said. I wish the Army did take into consideration people who already speak a language the Army needs or the option to test out of DLI.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2015 10:25 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 10:25:19 -0500

I'm trying to apply for a DLI slot right now as part of my re-enlistment. I was told that I could request my top three language choices, but that it would really depend on what class dates were available, and I was not guaranteed any of those choices.

That being said, if your score is high enough, you will most likely be slotted into a Cat III or Cat IV language. If, however, you study up on your German well enough to take a DLPT, you can always test for that language later and get paid for that language as well.

Here are the languages taught at DLI: http://www.dliflc.edu/languagesatdli.html

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jan 23 at 2015 2:29 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:29:28 -0500

My understanding from talking with some colleges with Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), If you are fluent (for example) in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and German that is great and more power to you. However DoD prefers Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.

Think Hunt for Red October, "It is wise to speak the language of my enemy." If I recall Sean Connery's line.

Long explanation to say, It is good to have preferences, but it comes down to the needs of the Army.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2019 12:50 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 12:50:36 -0400

I recently graduated AIT as a Korean linguist in 2018, and before I went to basic training as of 2016 I was emailed and asked what my top three options were. I received my top pick, however I know many people that did not get a language that was on their list at all. Now you have to have a minimum 110 DLAB to join as a 35P, which qualifies you for any language taught at DLI. So it is pretty much needs of the army at that point. I've been told if you are there with someone else and you are the same rank you can switch languages as long as it is before your class start date, but haven't verified this to be true. Hope this helps