Posted on Dec 7, 2018
SGT Potential Recruit
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After you are enlisted and go for your BCT and AIT. I wonder when would you take the language proficiency test and get the proficiency bonus for it too? What's the standards/requirements for passing ? Thank you
Posted in these groups: Foreign language Foreign Language
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CSM Chuck Stafford
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I was in today's MOS parlance a 35N with a language -- I took my language test at MEPS and chose my language there prior to Basic. After completion of the language school, the proficiency test is administered annually. I've seen a couple of your threads tangential to this subject and I would agree; 35Ns are the top of the food chain and offer a wide variety of opportunities while active duty and post-Army. I caveat that by saying I am willfully biased. Good luck on the language test and your potential career.
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SGT Retired
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SGT (Join to see) - if you’re not looking at 35P, there’s no reason to take the DLAB. Also,if you know you’re fluent in another language, after you’re MOS qualified, you can take a DLPT when you get to your unit.
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CSM Chuck Stafford
CSM Chuck Stafford
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SGT (Join to see) - As an Army trained linguist, my experience tells me that the DLAB is required. So, take the DLAB and go to language school if you qualify. Again, graduating the language school as a 35N also gives you promotion points. 35Ps do not get that advantage as the language is a requirement for their job...A note, though, each language has high percentage duty stations -- it'll pay to do the research on which languages are stationed where as you choose your language.
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SGT Potential Recruit
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CSM Chuck Stafford what would it be if it's for Mandarin Chinese and Korean ? Thanks
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CSM Chuck Stafford
CSM Chuck Stafford
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SGT (Join to see) - I assume you are asking about duty stations...The two referenced languages are found in high densities in Korea, Hawaii, Ft Lewis Washington, and Ft Meade Maryland. Even if you speak the language already, I encourage you to try and get the schooling. When you arrive to the schoolhouse, they will make a determination and potentially train you at a higher level. In the Army, more schooling is always a good thing - for you, for the Army, for life in general...
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SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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If you enlist for a language dependent MOS, you will take the test at the end of language training and every year after that.
If you are enlisting for any other MOS and just want to get paid for a language, then you schedule yourself for a test after you arrive at your first unit after AIT.
The standard for pay is a minimum of 2/2 score in listening and reading tests in a language eligible for pay, 2/2 is roughly the equivalent to a 6th to 8th grade reading proficiency in that language.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Foreign%20Language%20Proficiency%20Bonus
To receive the bonus you must submit the DA 330 with your qualifying language score to your unit, they generate a language pay order with that and submit it.
The score and order are valid for 12 months, you must test every year to retain the proficiency and bonus.
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SGT Potential Recruit
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I am thinking of choosing 35N. Is it language dependent or I should be taking the test after arriving to my first unit? Thank you.
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SGM G3 Sergeant Major
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35M and 35P go to language school in their initial training pipeline, unless they are already fluent in a language and can score a 2/2 already.
From what I remember, if a 35N goes to language school, it is some time after arrival at their unit, but a recruiter or 35N would have a better answer.
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SGT Retired
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35N is not language dependent. But a language qualified 35N is a great pet for a Conmander to have. After you get to your unit, just go to your Ed center and take a DLPT.

What language? Are you natively fluent?
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