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US Army Recruiting Command

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U.S. Army Language Programs

USAREC Language AdvocateSFC Jeffrey Henry

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Agenda• Background

–DOD–Army

• Army Recruiting Objectives• Army Linguist Programs

–Description–Requirements

• Benefits

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• Although the value of foreign languages and cultural proficiency is recognized by our Special Forces, these capabilities are essential for all forces preparing for irregular warfare, training and advising missions, humanitarian efforts, and security and stabilization operations.

—Secretary Gates, Senate Armed Services

Committee, February 6, 2008

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Background

• The Defense Language Transformation Roadmap (DLTR), published in February 2005

• DOD Strategic Plan for Language Skills, Regional Expertise, and Cultural Capabilities (2011-2016)

• Ability to conduct World-Wide Missions without language or cultural barriers

• 09L program started in February 2003

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Background• Identify, validate, and prioritize requirements for language skills, regional expertise, and cultural capabilities, and generate accurate demand signals in support of DoD missions.

• Build, enhance, and sustain a Total Force with a mix of language skills, regional expertise, and cultural capabilities to meet existing and emerging needs in support of national security objectives.

• Strengthen language skills, regional expertise, and cultural capabilities to increase interoperability and to build partner capacity.

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Objectives• Recruit applicants with the ability to read, write and speak Pashtu, Dari and/or Farsi proficiently for the 09L Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

• Recruit applicants with the ability to read, write and speak a foreign language proficiently and meet minimum requirements for MOS 35P, Signals Intelligence Analyst

• Recruit applicants that achieve minimum Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) scores to attend the Defense Language Institute and minimum requirements for MOS 35P, Signals Intelligence Analyst

• Ensure an applicants ability to speak a foreign language is documented within applicants military record, regardless of MOS

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Army Linguist Programs•Skilled Linguist Program (35P)• Interpreter/Translator (09L)•Foreign Language Acquisition (35P)•Foreign Language Recruiting Initiative (FLRI) •English as a Second Language Training (ESL) •Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) (35P/09L)

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Skilled Linguist Program• Cryptologic Linguist (35P)• Military Intelligence Branch• Exploits foreign communications• 2/2 DLPT Score • Open to French, Spanish, Farsi, Pashtu, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Arabic (other languages are accepted depending on availability)

• Native and Heritage speakers that meet requirements qualify for ACASP and will not receive foreign language training at DLI. (Native speakers must still attend basic training and AIT)

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35P Requirements• U.S. Citizen• Eligible to receive TS/SCI• Pass CI Polygraph examination• Hearing test• Normal Vision• Minimum DLAB/ DLPT score• Minimum score of 80 on ECLT• Minimum ST score of 91• Never a Member of US Peace Corps• Must complete formal advanced individual training

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Interpreter/ Translator

• Interpreter/ Translator (09L)• Target languages Pashtu, Dari and Farsi• U.S. Citizenship not required (must be a permanent resident)

• Must receive a 2 rating on Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) for English administered at MEPCOM

• Must score a 10 or higher on the AFQT if other than IRR• Bonus of $40,000 for 3 year enlistment (Not eligible for any additional incentive)

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09L Requirements• Pass National Agency Check and Local Agency Check (NACLAC)

• Pass CI Screening• Minimum score of 80 on ECLT (Below 80 must attend ESL)

• OPI Rating of 2 or better in English• OPI Rating of S2+ or better in foreign language and R1 in reading

• 10 or higher on AFQT in Active Army• IRR can score below 10 on AFQT if ECLT scores are between 50-79 and still enter ESL Training

• Must be a permanent U.S. resident or Citizen• Language acquisition training (DLI) is not authorized

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Foreign Language Acquisition • Applicants enlist into MOS 35P • Upon successful completion of DLI, completes AIT for MOS 35P

• Must meet all the qualifications for 35P (ie. U.S. Citizen, eligible for Top Secret Clearance)

• Must achieve minimum score on DLAB (DLAB minimum scores vary)

• Language training is based on DLAB scores and needs of the Army.

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DLAB

• The Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) is a standardized government test, approximately two hours in length, used to determine the natural ability of armed services members to learn a foreign language.

• The DLAB test scores are ultimately used to determine the service member’s eligibility for language training.

• The DLAB is divided into two major portions, audio and visual.

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DLPT

• The DLPT5 is designed to assess the general language proficiency in reading and listening of a foreign language.

• The DLPT5 tests measure proficiency as defined by the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Skill Level Descriptions, levels 0+ – 4

• The DLPT5 will be used to make operational readiness, incentive pay, and training decisions for civilian and military language analysts in the United States government.

• The passages included in the test are sampled from authentic materials and real-life sources such as signs, newspapers, radio and television broadcasts, the Internet, etc.

• The passages cover a broad range of content areas, including social, cultural, political, economic, geographic, scientific, and military topics.

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DLI• The Institute employs more than 1,700 teachers and offers foreign

language instruction in more than two dozen languages to approximately 3,500 students on a schedule that extends throughout the year.

• The duration of courses range between 26 and 64 weeks, depending

on the difficulty of the language.

• DLIFLC currently awards an Associate of Arts degree in foreign language to students who successfully complete the course and are able to transfer 15 general education units from another educational institution. DLIFLC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

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DLI cont.

• Arabic (MSA, Iraqi, Egyptian, Levantine)

• Chinese • Dari • French • German • Hebrew • Hindi • Indonesian • Italian • Japanese • Korean

• Kurdish (Kurmanji/Sorani) • Pashto • Persian Farsi • Portuguese • Russian • Serbian/Croatian • Spanish • Tagalog • Thai • Turkish • Urdu • Uzbek

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FLRI• Allows foreign language speakers with limited English speaking ability to enlist in the Army.

• Applicants enlist as MOS 09C and choose MOS after they successfully complete English as a Second Language (ESL) and 2 week GT prep course.

• Requirements: 21-30 AFQT; 74 or below on ECLT/APCLT• Applicants that score above 31 on the AFQT but do not score 75 or above on the ECLT/APCLT are still required to attend ESL training regardless of MOS but are not considered FLRI.

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ESL• ESL is designed to improve foreign language speaking soldiers

English speaking ability and is not limited to FLRI and 09L programs• ESL is required for non-FLRI foreign language speaking applicants

that score above 31 on the ASVAB and below 74 on the ECLT/APCLT.• Applicants select MOS and receive training path prior to shipping.• Soldiers report to Ft. Sill Oklahoma for initial in-processing prior to

being shipped to Lackland for ESL Training. • 09L conduct ESL training at Ft. Jackson, SC

ECLT Score Total English Training Weeks50 - 54 2055 - 59 1760 - 64 1665 - 69 1470 - 74 1375 - 79 8

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Benefits• Advanced Promotions (SPC) (ACASP)• Bonus up to $40,000 (can vary based on requirements and MOS)

• Language Training and Experience• Exciting Career as a U.S. Army Linguist / Military Intelligence Professional

• Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) (see next slide)

• World-Wide missions (Travel)

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FLPB

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US Army Recruiting Command

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Questions?