Here I am going to start answering questions rather than having people email me, so that:
1) I can cut back on spam to my AKO. My email being posted here as a mailto: link allows spam bots to "farm" my email. Stupid spammers.
2) Others can see your questions.
So you can post your question here and I will answer it as soon as I can. If the question is popular or good enough it will appear in the Frequently Asked Questions page.
If you clicked on an email link and it brought you here, this is why.
Anyhow, enjoy and please feel free to ask questions. Please read the frequently asked questions page.
Hi, my boyfriend was assigned a language he really does not want to learn. Is there any way to appeal the assignment or is it a permanent assignment? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMost likely he's locked in
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI recently received a mass email from our SIGINT (35N) branch manager stating they are actively seeking soldiers to take the DLAB for future language training. I'm currently on orders to deploy soon and get my stripes. As a potential careerist I'm hesitating on going this route, mainly myself not wanting to go back to TRADOC and being under the assumption I'll be off the "line" limiting my potential for advancement. Any thoughts or information you have is appreciated!
hello,
ReplyDeleteI am currently in the process of joining the army. I had to pick an MOS that was available in the list my recruiter showed me. I was told that i really cannot become a linguist unless I already know another language, which i do not. I am extremely determined to become a linguist. Am I still able to work and test to become a linguist regardless of the current MOS i will have after basics and AIT?
Hi, my name is Brandon. I just wanted to let you know that I am currently in the process of becoming at 35P. I am a SSG in the Army stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. I already have a school date in January through the BEAR program for Chinese Mandarin. I have started my own blog and plan to document the entire process from start to finish. I put a link on my website to your website, and I was hoping you could do the same for me and maybe I could help answer some of the more specific questions from people in regards to the current BEAR process or specific questions about Monterey or how the school is currently operating once I get there. My site is www.armylinguist.net - lots of good stuff here SFC J, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteWill do
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an active duty US Army, his current MOS is 92A and would like to re-class to 35P. He has spoken to his retention and now is gathering whatever needed for the process to start. He speaks 3 languages including English and had taken DLPT for one of his foreign language. His other languages are German and Indonesian, but he was told that the Army is not in need of those 2 languages so he would be learning other language. Our question is, does this mean that he needs to take DLAB as well? Thank you in advance
ReplyDeletedoes anybody know what language pw stands for? i looked at the new bear program job list and i saw the acronym and i'm very curious to know what it is because if it's what i think it is,than i think i may be more than qualified for that certain language. crossing my damn fingers. hehe have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteIt's Pashto.
DeleteSFC J, hey man I like your site BTW. Im a SFC 35L French speaker and Im trying to get a buddy to take the DLPT for German but Im trying to find out if he'll get paid for it and can't find anything current or definitive. I'm tracking that a 35L falls into the exemption category for getting paid regardless of whether in a linguist position but can't find the other languages list for FLPB. Do you have any idea if a 35L German speaker qualifies for FLPB?
ReplyDeleteFirst off, it is not a language dependent MOS so not automatically. You have to be filling a L coded billet on the MTOE unless you were DLI trained. So most likely, no you will not get paid.
ReplyDeleteHey SFC J, I want to thank you for your blog. It has answered several questions I've had. I've just signed my BEAR extension, I have locked in a school seat. My CC couldn't tell me what language I'll be learning. I'd post the course number here but I'm not sure if that'd break INFOSEC. Is the course number indicative of what language I've been assigned?
ReplyDeleteShouldn't be infosec issue but if you want, email me (you can find my email in the top bar) the course number
DeleteWell, my assigned course is 01PF-P. If my hunch is correct and I'm not mistaken then it seems to me I've been tapped for Persian Farsi. If so then I want to thank you again for your Farsi blog, I'll be checking that out too. Would you recommend using third party language programs like Rosetta Stone before I get to DLI?
DeleteRosetta Stone is pretty worthless and overpriced. It will teach you how to say there is an apple on the table without even learning the language. Your best bet is to start trying to read about grammar as that is about the first 16-18 weeks of the course.
DeleteMaybe something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Persian-Grammar-For-Reference-Revision/dp/0700716955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352595612&sr=8-1&keywords=farsi+grammar
Grammar is by far the hardest. Understanding the language is more important than learning about apples. Also, you should start learning about the country because a lot of the language has to do with the country...
For example, in Farsi they don't have capital letters. So you might hear a word and then go searching in the dictionary for it. Can't find it in the dictionary and then you're stumped. If you had theoretically studied the country you'd know that Esfahan is a city and not a vocab word you should look up. Same with names - no way to tell if something is a name or not.
History is also important because they might talk about subjects of Iran's history. The Iran-Iraq war in the 80s is a big example of that.
Excellent! I can't thank you enough.
DeleteCan you send me the contact info for the DCO classes? Thanks.
ReplyDeletedaniel.bennett5@us.army.mil
Do you have any information about the advanced Farsi course at DLI, or have an opinion about its usefulness? Also, do you know of anybody who is getting FLPB for Tajiki? I heard it is a grey issue, but most likely one will not be paid extra for it. Thank you. Great Blog.
ReplyDeleteI was supposed to be slotted to go, but then I didn't get to, so no I can't comment. Never heard of someone getting paid for that language, but truthfully never met anyone with it. What's the language code?
DeleteTB. I heard rumor that the DLPT is only reading, which would make sense. But, again only a rumor.
DeleteWell if there is only one section of the test available they just double the score...you can still get paid with a language that only has one test.
DeleteBut, CAN you get paid for it if you pass? It seems that so often the answer depends on who you ask. But everyone I have asked whose job it is to know, doesn't. And in the absence of a for sure answer, the default is no. So if possible along with your opinion, please include a short explanation of why (if your answer is yes), that I can relate to my own superiors. I appreciate your time on this question.
ReplyDeleteCheck AR 11-6, page 21 (table 6-3). Also table 6-2 shows you how much you can get paid for a language on the "payment B" list.
DeleteIt's also going to depend what your MOS is.
You will also find a reference to this section in AKO:
(https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/179065).
Must have an AKO account to see it.
I have looked in those references before, sad day. I was hoping there was something recently added, or something I didn't know about. Tajik is not in ALARACT 207/2011.
DeleteJust looking for some advice pls. During the enlistment process for my husband who is from Punjab, India he was going into the O9L program for Urdu. The coordinators of the program that I spoke to told me that he did need to pass an oral test, but he did not need to write Urdu. My husband went for his test and got a 2 or a 20 out of 26. He was then told he needed to do a written test and we told them from the beginning that he did not write in Urdu, but was able to speak it. Does anybody know anything about this program or anyway around this? OR Is there another field in the Army SIMILAR to this that my husband can go into? He has his bachelors degree, fluent in Punjabi (speak, read and write), Hindi (speak, read and write), and Urdu (Speak). We are a bit lost here. The recruiter told my husband to learn to read and write in Urdu and come back. We live in San Antonio, Tx. and there is zero Urdu classes here. He also had a low ASVAB score due to it being in English-20. He was told to study English and retake the ASVAB and come back in for a different job? Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteQuestion regarding the language refresher at PLTCE in Germany. I was wondering if you could clarify if the Persian Farsi language training in Germany is an immersion style course or if this is more of a classroom type setting?
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance
classroom
DeleteSgt.
ReplyDeletei just signed my contract with 35F MOS, but really wanted 35P, I speak 6 languages and the reason I wasnt able to get 35P was that senior liaison wanted me to sign everything the same day, she was very pushy.
So now they are telling me that I can renegotiate my MOS, from 35F to 35P, station commander for my recruiter promised me to put me into 35P but he is saying that I will have to pass dlpt not dlab, cant find any information, he is referring to some milper message, that says I will not go to DLI and dont need DLAB for signing up as 35P, any information would be really appreciated, I am leaving for basic on April 10th.
Best regards,
The DLPT will certify in your language. No reason for you to take the DLAB and go to DLI if you are already speaking 6 languages.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot SFC for your response, so if I take dlpt and score high enough I will be able to go for 35P without DLI?
DeleteDo you know, if I will be able to take more than 1 dlpt?
Once again, thank you very much
NP. Yes you can take more than one DLPT. Linguists can be paid for up to three total languages, totaling $1000 extra per month. It varies on what languages. Also yes, you will be able to skip DLI.
DeleteQuestion -- Will DLI be skipped if I already score a 3/3 for French and 2/2 for Spanish, 1/1 Arabic, and 1/1 Korean?
DeleteI am hoping to attend DLI to advance my Arabic.
Hello SFC, I've been reading your Blog since I was just considering joining up. That was over a year and a half ago and now I'm approaching graduating the Korean course at dli! Thanks for all of your writeups and insight, we all appreciate it. On to my question, working with branch manager, I was offered ft Wainwright in Alaska since I requested ft Richardson but it was filled up. Can you tell me anything about this post pertaining to my mos? I can't find someone a whole lot on Google and there are only 5 Korean slots there according to branch. Just afraid I might end up in the ol motor pool. Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to include, I'm interested in strategic assignments, have any recommendations on duty stations I should request? Thanks again.
DeleteSure don't know anything about it. However, I was there TDY for ten days in February 2010 and it was -50 out without the wind chill. Have fun!
DeleteHaha that's what I keep hearing, sfc. If I can't get Meade I guess I'll be heading to Humphreys! Thanks for the response.
DeleteSFC J,
ReplyDeleteI am a Future Soldier going active as a 35M, currently in the DEP and shipping soon. I am coming in with three foreign languages and smoked the DLAB, but after reading this post, it sort of deflated my hopes of doing anything with either the languages I currently have, or the prospect of getting sent for another.
That said, I wanted to post and send a sincere thank you for writing out these FAQs and providing this info; I've been met with quite a lot of misinformation out there dealing with linguists/language, and these more or less answered some of my central questions.
Despite 35M not being slotted by language, I would still like to take DLPTs and be coded for them if possible, if nothing else than to show up as an additional qualification in the ERB or something. I had a couple of related questions:
- When would you recommend taking the DLPT(s)? it sounds like quite a time-crunch to take them, at least from what you mention at Ft. Bliss. Would there be time at AIT or should I wait?
- Have you ever done an OPI as part of your language qualification, and if so, any tips or info you can provide?
- Any chance that other internationally-recognized language proficiency certifications (i.e. the European framework - C2, etc.) can be used to demonstrate proficiency? Shot in the dark on that one..I am thinking DLPTs/OPI would be the only thing that matters, since it follows the ILR proficiency scale..or vice-versa, whichever came first.
Thanks for your time.
- I would take them at MEPS or at AIT if possible. But not all posts are as bad as Bliss for scheduling.
Delete- yes. You must take an OPI as part of your graduation from DLI so I've taken one in my career but it was almost 8-9 years ago. It wasn't easy and it's very subjective based on the teachers. I haven't taken one to qualify for a language although some of the languages only have an OPI as the test.
- no. You must turn in a DA 330 which is a DLPT score sheet basically to get your orders so the other crap wont work. Sorry man.
And no problem creating this page. I did it because there isn't a ton of info out there. Honestly I need to update the site a lot. But I'm in Afghanistan and the internet sucks.
Hello ,
ReplyDeleteWe would like to place a text link within an article from your blog/website.
I would appreciate if you could suggest the page yourself and I hope we can agree on a reasonable yearly charge.
Our website is www.polilingua.com/. The keyword text would be transcription or translation services related.
If interested please suggest the page and I shall get back to you with our link info and budget.
Please reply at marketing@polilingua.com
Best Regards,
Natalia Sargu
Sent you an email.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog while surfing through the armystudyguide. Good read!
I have three questions regarding 97E if you don't mind, I need this for a short story and I want to be historically accurate.
1) Back in 2000, did 97E had an age requirement?
2) Around the same time, did 97E had a language requirement? (or was it possible to qualify for second language just by taking DLPT at MEPS?)
3) Was it possible to be stationed (first duty station) in Italy knowing only English and Spanish?
I will appreciate any answer.
Thank you.
Sorry for the delay I was out of the country.
Delete1) I don't know for sure, I wasn't in the Army until 2001, and did not reclass to 97E until 2004. At the time I was 23 but I re-enlisted when I was 21 for the job. So if there was, it was no more than 21.
2) 97E did have a language requirement, but you could usually get out of going to DLI and learning another language if you had a language the Army needed at the time. It's hard to say what they considered critical back then...even at some points the Army has deemed Spanish critical. Yes there are a ton of Spanish speaking people in the Army, but not all of them have the 97E skillset, qualify for a TS clearance, etc.
3) Absolutely. The active Army does not slot 97E/35M by language except in special circumstances. Someone right out of AIT could be sent to the 173rd (Airborne) in Vicenza or with the 66th MI.
I was going to take an assignment in Belgium and I only speak Persian-Farsi, Dari, and English.
Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm considering joining the Army as a 35 P. I'm already fluent in tagalog and was wondering if it's possible for me to bypass DLI and take the DLPT for tagalog and enlist with that language?
Yes, you should be able to.
DeleteDoes army still offer signing bonuses for applicants who are already fluent in foreign language? I read write and speak Korean like a native.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the promotion cutoff scores for 35PPF, the MOS is not listed. It's been listed previously. Is there an explanation for this?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm looking at JAN 2015. In the the months prior, 35PPF is listed.
DeleteI am currently going through the process of getting a moral waiver (juvenile felony). If it is granted am i able to go to DLI if my asvab and dlab are high enough?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed going through your blog and reading your articles about being a linguist. I'm not in the military, so some of the abbreviations were unfamiliar to me. I spent 20 years in the Middle East as an English teacher and learned Arabic while I was there. I love being a teacher and would enjoy teaching military personnel. I applied for a position as an Arabic instructor at DLI last year, but they didn't even acknowledge me in any way after I applied through USAJobs, leading me to believe that they only want native Arabic speakers as instructors. I know from my personal experience overseas that being a native speaker of Arabic doesn't make you a good teacher. My students had been so messed up by Egyptian teachers who didn't know English grammar themselves, so trying to undo that damage was hard. When it comes to explaining certain grammar points, it takes a real linguist and grammarian to present it in a clear and relevant way. My 20 years of teaching English have helped me understand my own language so much more. It's not enough to tell your students, "This just sounds right to me." They need more than that to produce the language in a native-like manner.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really asking any question here. I just wanted to reach out to you and tell you how impressed I am with the way you presented yourself and your job. I realize that being a linguist in the Army can be life-threatening if you're an interpreter out in the field. From what I've read on your blog, I understand that some guys would rather not have to go through language training. I went through the practice listening test for Arabic, and it's not easy. It takes years of practice in an Arab country to gain competency in the language. Most Americans I met in Saudi Arabia weren't even interested in learning the language, being there just to make some money and then leave.
I haven't seen any recent posts on here, so I'm not sure you'll even see this, but thanks for sharing this part of your life with us!
Hey SFC J,
ReplyDeleteI run a military mentorship site for 35 series soldiers and officers coming out Huachuca. I had a shit time trying to find a job even with being a Persian enabled analyst. So I have a resource consolidation and mentor page to help soldiers transition to civ world of Intel. I am not trying to promote my page so if you can shoot me at an email at garrett.guinivan@gmail.com or mil2civmentor@gmail.com that would be awesome. I hope to help MI soldiers find solid jobs in the civ world and help out where I can. Thanks, this blog is awesome and I have hyperlinks to it from my language website as well. V/R,
SFC
ReplyDeleteMy DLPT is due soon, and my unit is reluctant to send us anywhere but the local language lab to self-study, and it doesn’t go against the regs. I’m concerned this may not be enough for me to pass the DLPT. Is there any ammunition or leverage I have to take this concern up the chain or IG if necessary?
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