35P Cryptologic Linguist
About the role
As a Cryptologic Linguist in the Army National Guard, you will interpret foreign communications to support national security. You will earn a security clearance and perform or supervise the detection, acquisition, geolocation, identification, and exploitation of foreign communications using specialized signals equipment.
Responsibilities
- Identify and analyze foreign communications
- Recognize changes in transmission modes and report them to the appropriate authority
- Provide translation expertise to analysts
- Provide transcripts and translations from foreign communications
- Categorize signals by activity type
- Support Signals Intelligence tasking, reporting, and coordination
Skills you’ll learn
- Identifying foreign communications from an assigned geographic area
- Analyzing foreign communications to support missions
- Procedures for handling classified information and preparing reports
Helpful skills
- Talent for foreign languages
- Interest in speech, communications, and foreign languages
- Ability to work as a team member
- Enjoy reading and writing
Civilian career opportunities
Through your training, you will develop skills applicable to civilian careers as a translator for government agencies, embassies, universities, and companies conducting business overseas.
Training
Job training for a Cryptologic Linguist requires 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and three to 80 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), split between classroom instruction and fieldwork. Soldiers without foreign language fluency will attend foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute for six to 18 months prior to AIT. Completion of initial entry training may also lead to additional college credit.
Benefits
- Paid training
- Monthly paycheck
- Security clearance
- Montgomery GI Bill
- Federal and State tuition assistance
- Retirement benefits for part-time service
- Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
- 401(k)-type savings plan
- Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000 for existing loans)
- Health care benefits
- VA home loans
- Bonuses, if applicable
- Additional monthly pay for language proficiency ($100 to $500 for primary language, up to $1,000 total for additional languages)
Pay
Most non-prior service candidates will initially earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change.
Requirements
- Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
- Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
- Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
- Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)