What advice does anyone have for being a Linguist? Is there much of a difference between how Army and AF linguists conduct their duties?

So I’d likely be in the country of my language as opposed to being stateside miles away?

C Eaves - it is safe to say if you are a linguist you will be assigned where the language skills are needed. If you speak Arabic expect to be in the Middle East. If you speak Korean expect to be stationed in Korea. I currently work with a lady that was a Sgt in the Army and a Korean Linguist. She spent her entire 4 year contract in Korea. Which makes sense because a Korean linguist would be more useful there instead of Fort Polk.

My exact sentiments. The Army conducts ground operations so you will be closer to the front. Air Force operations are conducted far in the rear for security reasons.

Unless that USAF linguist is airborne. Then he/she is absolutely in the AO on the job. If deployed, lands at a FOB, if not, goes home for the evening.

As far as being in the country of the language, usually only peripherally. In 11 years as a Russian linguist, never set foot in country. Tours in Japan and Italy instead. Transitioned to Serbo-Croatian during the Balkan crisis, and was stationed out of the UK when airborne with the RC-135, in California when chairborne with the U-2. A ground Korean linguist , regardless of whether Army or AF, will likely spend an entire career bouncing back and forth between Korea and Ft. Meade. Not much more mind-numbingly boring than that. Satellites, drones, and other technological advances have made many of those sweet overseas sites unneccessary, and most of them are gone. I don't think any of the places I was stationed overseas are still an option. Some could probably do an entire career at Ft. Meade. That would probably be worst of all.