Steps to Pursue a Career as an Army Linguist

Imagine being paid to study a new language and then using that skill to explore the world. The U.S. Army offers this unique opportunity. As an Army linguist, you can earn while learning one of 24 languages and travel abroad to work as a translator or cryptologist [source: GoArmy.com]. If you’re multilingual or have a talent for picking up languages, this could be the perfect career path for you.

Effective communication with people from other nations and understanding their cultures are crucial to the Army’s missions, including both defense and humanitarian efforts. If you qualify for a linguist role, the Army rewards your expertise generously. Beyond standard soldier benefits, you can earn Foreign Language Proficiency Pay, boosting your monthly income by $400 to $1,000 per language you master [source: GoArmy.com].

Even if you only speak English and have no prior language training, the Army still values your potential to become a linguist. With high demand for linguists in areas like intelligence, negotiations, and special operations, the Army seeks individuals with a natural talent for learning languages [source: USArmy.com]. Recruits receive free training at the Defense Language Institute, earning a full salary, housing, benefits, and even a retirement plan while studying [source: USArmy.com].

Training at the Defense Language Institute offers additional perks, such as the opportunity to earn an associate's degree by transferring 15 non-language credits from an accredited institution. This degree can advance your career both during and after your military service. Next, we’ll explore the various roles available for Army linguists.

Army Linguist Jobs

Linguists play a vital role in military operations, including intelligence, negotiations, and special missions. As an Army linguist, you’ll be required to read, write, comprehend, and speak a foreign language. Your duties may include translating documents, audio, or face-to-face conversations in various negotiation scenarios.

If you want your career to focus entirely on language, consider roles like interpreter/translator or cryptologic linguist. The Army categorizes these as "language-dependent" careers [source: GoArmy.com]. As an interpreter/translator, you’ll handle oral and written translations and may lead language and cultural training. Fluency in at least one of over 20 Middle Eastern languages, such as Farsi, Dari, or Pushtu-Afghan, is essential [source: GoArmy.com].

Cryptologic linguists focus on their chosen language, primarily tasked with identifying and interpreting foreign communications through signals equipment. Their duties include analyzing general information, mission-critical reports, or alerts triggered by communication shifts, as well as translating recorded foreign communications [source: GoArmy.com].

If you have a gift for languages but prefer a career that doesn’t revolve solely around them, the Army linguist program offers roles like Signals Intelligence Analyst, Human Intelligence Collector, Imagery Analyst, or Intelligence Analyst. These positions demand foreign language fluency but also involve skills like visual surveillance, gathering intelligence through special operations or interrogations, and assessing enemy strategies and weaknesses [source: GoArmy.com].

However, before pursuing any of these roles, you must meet the Army linguist program's rigorous eligibility criteria. We’ll delve into these requirements on the following page.

Army Linguist Requirements

To qualify as an Army linguist, you must pass a language proficiency test. The Defense Language Aptitude Battery assesses your ability to learn a new language if English is your first language. A minimum score of 105 out of 176 is required for admission to the Army's Defense Language Institute [source: GoArmy.com]. For those already fluent in another language, a Defense Language Proficiency Test or Oral Proficiency Interview with a score of 2/2 or higher is necessary.

If English is not your native language, you must demonstrate fluency and may need additional training. Non-native English speakers must also provide proof of citizenship. Additionally, a top-secret security clearance is mandatory, involving background checks and interviews with acquaintances to ensure you can handle classified information. Normal color vision is also required, as color blindness disqualifies you from this role [source: GoArmy.com].

Enlisting in the Army is a prerequisite for becoming a linguist, with its own set of criteria: a high school diploma or GED, good moral character, physical fitness, and an age range of 17 to 35 [source: GoArmy.com].