Would it be good to learn simple phrases in languages like Pashto or Arabic or Korean before joining the Army?

2018-03-17T11:43:37-04:00

Those languages are from the hot spot areas as i call them

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 17 at 2018 11:45 AM

2018-03-17T11:45:25-04:00

It’s always good to learn new things. If you are going to join don’t postpone joining based on if you know another language or not. You can always learn while you in the service also!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-03-17T11:48:30-04:00

Can’t hurt! Like your motivation to learn.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 17 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-03-17T11:49:52-04:00

It's good anytime, but especially when you might find yourself living and working among a foreign people. One of the more interesting things I learned while working with the Japanese (I consulted with almost all the Japanese automakers during my civilian career) is that they hate to hear Americans (or anyone else) butchering their language. They prefer to butcher ours to communicate. Although I had studied Japanese, it was useful to pretend ignorance. I could catch a phrase hear and there to decipher what they were saying behind my back. And, I learned how to bow correctly. They may have thought of me as a barbarian but at least a polite barbarian...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-03-17T14:34:57-04:00

It’s never too late to start. Even coming from a Korean household, I learned both Korean and Pashto in the Army (Korean for 6 months then was entered into a Pashto course for 4 months).

Seeing the current theatre of operations as it stands right now, Arabic and Korean are possibly your best bets. When you join, there are chances of getting sent to South Korea as a duty station, and along with the KATUSAs, you can learn and fine-tune basic Korean while you’re there.

The Department of Defense actually has manuals on basic language commands, conversational phrases, and your basic words (colors, directions, common everyday items, etc.) but it never hurts to use Rosetta Stone or the DuoLingo app to get a head start on those languages.

Hope this helps.

Response by SGT Carl Blas made Mar 17 at 2018 3:25 PM

2018-03-17T15:25:27-04:00

A "SMILE" is the universal language. Now, a smile with an AK pointed at you, means, shoot first, ask questions later.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 17 at 2018 4:21 PM

2018-03-17T16:21:42-04:00

Yes.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 17 at 2018 5:39 PM

2018-03-17T17:39:21-04:00

I have lived in Germany, Afghanistan, Korea, been to plenty more, and there is no way I can learn all of those languages. What is important, learn the culture. The more you learn about the culture the easier everything else will be. I learned about the culture of the Philippines, don't really speak Tagalog, and this month have been happily married for eight years because I learned my wife's culture (and liked it) long before we married.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 17 at 2018 6:47 PM

2018-03-17T18:47:22-04:00

It wouldn't hurt but it is definitely something that has to be done.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 17 at 2018 8:05 PM

2018-03-17T20:05:59-04:00

Anytime is a good time to learn another language. If you are on the final few weeks from starting BCT, concentrate on being in shape and have your affairs in order.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2018 11:28 PM

2018-03-17T23:28:22-04:00

It's never a bad idea to learn various important phrases in other languages. You are also more likely to remember and recognize those phrases if you practice them over a long period of time (months and years). If you do receive an assignment in a foreign country, that's a great time to brush up on phrases, and, more importantly, culture. Keep in mind, you will likely learn some phrases when you are in those locations as well.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 18 at 2018 2:04 AM

2018-03-18T02:04:26-04:00

It cant hurt to learn them, however chances are you wont get sent to a place where they are needed.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2018 1:26 PM

2018-03-18T13:26:29-04:00

It won't hurt, but won't necessarily help either. When I was enlisted in the Army I spent almost a year and a half at the Defense Language Institute learning Modern Standard Arabic. However, in the infinite wisdom of the Army, once I completed language school and AIT I was stationed in Germany with a unit working the Bosnia mission. Once that assignment was over I was transferred to a unit stateside and spent my final year and a half in the Army writing reports on security threats to military computer networks. Never used the Arabic that the Army spent so much money teaching me.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 18 at 2018 6:39 PM

2018-03-18T18:39:44-04:00

PV2 J M Knowledge is Power and if You can pass the DLAP (Tests Your Ability to Learn Languages) Uncle Same would more than Happy to send you to Monterrey Defense Language Institute. Tres Bien! Learn, Learn and Learn Some More. I've worked with Russian, Persian/Farsi, Arabic, Spanish Linguist. If You Really want to Learn a Challenging Language try Tagalog.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 8:36 AM

2018-03-19T08:36:57-04:00

Jordan-When I was a High School student preparing for my hopeful military future, Russia had only recently shed Communism, and was still considered highly "unstable" and a potential enemy. By the time I was a Midshipman, Eastern Europe was the "hot spot", as was Africa. South America was high on the list of potential threats, as was domestic terrorism. Therefore, I focused on Russian history, Latin-based languages, and a host of other disciplines that proved somewhat "opposite" of those I would use over the next decade.

Point being-things change, and change drastically over time.

Developing skills in language is never a lost effort, but my advice is to take it one day at a time. Your previous posts and comments indicate you have a desire to join combat arms. Regardless of which branch or MOS/rate...you have quite a bit of time, and many other challenges to face before these other considerations will take precedence. First, you'll be "transformed" from an individual, to a member of a greater whole. Second, you'll be provided with the very basic skills required to endure additional training, both physical and mental. Finally, you'll be ceaselessly challenged to meet higher standards of physical endurance, ability and competency. This process is highly governed, and will certainly take all of your dedication and concentration to complete.

One day, after you've completed numerous training modules, qualified across many core competencies, and likely spent several years proving yourself...such questions may truly be important to ask. Until then, run...a lot. Push yourself to not only meet, but exceed all physical standards. Prepare mentally and emotionally to follow orders immediately, and without question. Remove all thoughts of what comes "next", and focus on doing your utmost to be the very best at everything you're asked to do.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Mar 19 at 2018 11:24 AM

2018-03-19T11:24:12-04:00

Only if you believe you'll spend most of your career in those environments. Consider what your destination goal for joining the Army might be; such as, Europe then you'll want to learn simple phrases for that region, German, French, Russian, Italian. Four years in Korea I took time to learn Korean Hangul, Japanese, and Filipino languages. Knowledge is indeed power and it's a sign of respect for even trying to learn.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 19 at 2018 11:29 AM

2018-03-19T11:29:56-04:00

Never a bad idea, but your unit should also teach you small phrases like hands up, get on the ground and things of that nature. Of course if you're going into a job where you need to be fluent and conversational you should certainly start sooner rather than later.

Response by SGT Philip Gibbs made Jul 30 at 2018 6:05 PM

2018-07-30T18:05:46-04:00

First, learning some basics in a language may be helpful; however, if you plan on enlisting for an MOS that requires a language, the military will most likely assign your language according to its needs. If you really want a specific language, you may be able to gett it in your contract, but that is unlikely. If you are not looking at a language MOS, you may want to see where you are being stationed before you start learning random languages.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 30 at 2018 6:22 PM

2018-07-30T18:22:58-04:00

Sure is...