How to Pursue a Career as an Army Interpreter or Translator

Main Takeaways

On the afternoon of April 9, 1865, General Ulysses S. Grant met with Robert E. Lee at a small courthouse, marking the end of a relentless pursuit that had lasted for months. After years of warfare, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, worn down by hunger, fatigue, and illness, came to Grant to seek a resolution. The two generals exchanged pleasantries about a past meeting in Mexico, negotiated the terms of surrender, signed the agreement, and parted ways. The entire process took just a couple of hours.

Surrenders are often more straightforward when both parties can communicate in the same language. The American Civil War stands as one of the last significant conflicts where the United States faced an adversary who spoke English. However, from World War I through to Vietnam, and even in the U.S.'s ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military has seldom been able to engage without relying on bilingual soldiers. This need was particularly evident in the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq, when the U.S. Army started recruiting speakers of Arabic, one of the primary languages of the country.

When a U.S. soldier enters a foreign nation, they are often given a list of useful phrases to help navigate interactions with locals or surrendering enemies. For example, during World War II, every U.S. soldier landing on the beaches of France on D-Day carried a small book containing basic French phrases.

Yet, a phrasebook only goes so far when it comes to understanding enemy communications or seeking assistance from local civilians. This is where the role of an Army translator becomes indispensable.

However, mastering a language is unlike acquiring most other military skills. While nearly anyone can be trained to drive a tank, fire a rifle, or secure a checkpoint, learning a new language requires years of dedication. As one translator put it, it's easier to teach someone how to fly a fighter jet than to teach them a new language [source: Associated Press]. The Army can train soldiers, but they must find translators.

So, what languages does the U.S. Army prioritize for translation? Spanish? Swahili? Esperanto? Keep reading to find out.

Which languages hold significance for the Army?

The U.S. maintains military personnel in over 150 countries worldwide [source: Department of Defense]. Whether coordinating joint exercises with the German military or engaging in talks with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, the U.S. military constantly faces language barriers that must be addressed.

Naturally, the translation requirements of the U.S. Army evolve based on where conflicts occur. Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. military and intelligence agencies focused heavily on mastering languages such as Russian and German, common in Communist regions. After the Soviet Union fell in 1994, Russian language skills became less useful. However, by the end of 2001, with operations intensifying in Afghanistan, there was a sudden demand for personnel fluent in Persian and Pashto.

The need for translators in the Army also varies depending on the nature of the war. During World War II, the tasks were straightforward: troops moved into areas, identified enemy uniforms, and took action. Translators were necessary primarily for interrogating prisoners, decoding intercepted messages, and negotiating with enemy leaders.

The situation grew more complex during wars like those in Vietnam or Afghanistan, where U.S. forces faced guerrilla fighters without distinguishable uniforms. Battling an insurgency requires establishing strong connections with local communities—something that becomes nearly impossible when communication is limited to gestures.

The demand for Middle Eastern language translators, such as Arabic and Farsi, surged due to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2011, the U.S. Army even offered up to $10,000 in bonuses for translators to enlist, with an additional $20,000 for those willing to report for basic training within the next 30 days.

Wondering how to become an Army translator? Keep reading for more details on how to pursue this career path.

Army Interpreter and Translator Requirements

In a conflict zone, having skilled translators can be a matter of life and death for soldiers. For instance, while in a busy market, a translator might overhear a conversation indicating an impending ambush. They can build rapport with the local population, gathering crucial intelligence on nearby insurgents. If a soldier accidentally causes a misunderstanding, a translator can quickly step in to prevent a dangerous escalation.

Translators play a vital role not only on the front lines but also behind the scenes, especially in logistics and diplomacy. When a congressperson or senator visits, translators accompany them to facilitate communication with local officials. If a TV station is hosting a program critiquing U.S. military policy, translators may be brought in to provide a counter-narrative. Additionally, when the military requires supplies from local merchants, a translator is essential for negotiating the deal.

While much of the work involves high-stakes missions, translators are also required for various administrative tasks. They often assist the military by listening to radio broadcasts and reviewing newspapers to stay informed about local affairs. They may also be tasked with translating leaflets meant to inform and educate the local population.

Currently, the U.S. Army employs 14,000 'soldier-linguists' stationed across the globe. To become one of these translators, applicants must meet one of two criteria. If they already speak a foreign language in demand, they must prove their proficiency by passing the Defense Language Proficiency Test. Alternatively, if they don't speak a relevant language but excel at language learning, they can take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery, a test that assesses their natural linguistic abilities.

In recent years, the U.S. Army has increasingly outsourced translation work to private contractors. These contractors bring in translators from around the world or hire local English speakers. The business is lucrative: in 2007, one of the largest translation contractors in Afghanistan was paid $700 million to provide approximately 4,500 translators, equating to about $150,000 per translator [source: Wartenberg]. However, this field is also perilous. Translators may be killed in the line of duty by explosives or gunfire, and local translators may become targets for insurgents. For instance, one contractor in Iraq lost over 200 employees in just four years of war [source: Ressner].

The day may come when translators are no longer required to put themselves at risk. The U.S. military already uses automated planes and trucks, and it's not far-fetched to think that automated translators could soon be a reality. In April 2011, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) called on tech companies to develop a translating robot. For years, engineers have worked on devices capable of translating spoken language, but DARPA sought a tool that could also translate written documents on sight and interpret local gestures.

It's a challenging prospect – and it's uncertain whether soldiers are prepared to entrust translation tasks to a machine. But who can say? Perhaps, in the future, language barriers in a combat zone will seem as outdated as old-fashioned rifles.