How much choice do you have over which language you can enroll for when you are a 35P?

2018-07-21T21:22:14-04:00

Hello, I am thinking of becoming a 35P after I graduate high school, and I was wondering if it would it be possible to have a note of which language you would like to take. At the moment I am (non-formally) studying Polish, which is not on the critical language list. I am not sure whether or not it would be wise to put Polish as a request or to request a similar, critical language, like Russian or Serbo-Croatian, if it is possible to indicate your preference at all.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 9:38 PM

2018-07-21T21:38:50-04:00

Aj Powell Here is a previous RallyPoint post dealing with this topic. If you enter 35P in the Search bar above, hit enter, and then click on Answers, you will find other Posts dealing with this MOS.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/choosing-language-speciality-does-the-army-take-into-consideration-your-existing-language-skills

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

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:...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 10:46 PM

2018-07-21T22:46:38-04:00

You will be assigned based on your DLAB score and needs of the Army.
Honestly, the Army won’t care what you’ve previously studied or what your listed preference is. A phrase you should familiarize yourself with if you decide a career in the Army is for you. “Needs of the Army.

Best of luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 11:02 AM

2018-07-26T11:02:41-04:00

Depends on the branch really.
When I went through, DLAB scores didn't really seem to impact much... CAT III scores were in CAT IV languages and vice versa. I didn't know my language until I graduated basic and arrived at the school. There was no request or dream list for army initial entry.
However, every branch of the military has some version of a 35P and they all go to DLI. If I remember correctly, some of the other branches (air force and marines I think) put down a top 3 languages when they enlisted. More often than not they didn't get what they requested.
One thing you can do after you're in the army is reenlist for a specific language, but only if the army has a need for that language. Once your already in the army your options tend to be a lot better.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2018 10:27 PM

2018-08-18T22:27:35-04:00

If you join the National Guard then you’re signing up to fill a specific slot that has a specific language. So you can guarantee a language in your contract that way as well.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2019 12:47 PM

2019-04-13T12:47:37-04:00

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.