How do I go about getting into specialty school of choice?

2020-05-30T09:26:43-04:00

I recently enlisted and ship soon as a 42a. Once I graduate AIT is there any way I can sign up for specialty school? I want to go to Language school. DLI. Reason being was I did well on practice DLAB, I was originally enlisting for intelligence but was deemed color-blind at MEPS. Thanks in advance

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2020 10:18 AM

2020-05-30T10:18:27-04:00

In order to go to DLI, you need to either have the right MOS (38B, 37F, 18 series, 09 series, some 35 series) or be in a unit with a language requirement. To my knowledge, there is no linguist billets as a 42A.
Color blindness - I am too - is not an impediment in some of those MOSs. I am a 38B, and am fluent in German and speak some Russian, Arabic, and a dash of Pashtu. I did not personally go to DLI, as I am a native German speaker. But there are lots of online resources to get you started on a language if you are serious about learning one. Talk to your NCO about getting hooked up with those once you get out of training and report to your unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2020 10:24 AM

2020-05-30T10:24:21-04:00

You don’t have a language dependent MOS so you don’t qualify for DLI

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2020 12:16 PM

2020-05-30T12:16:15-04:00

Need to reclass. Finish AIT, talk to SORB.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2020 1:18 PM

2020-05-30T13:18:12-04:00

42A does not qualify for DLI

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 30 at 2020 6:04 PM

2020-05-30T18:04:26-04:00

You would not get it post AIT, unless you somehow are assigned to a specialty assignment. There are many good responses to your post. Be patient and speak with retention after about a year on assignment.