Foreign Language Specialist

About the role

As a Foreign Language Specialist, you’ll attend the Defense Language Institute (DLI) for language training, where you will learn to speak, listen, and read in your target language and be immersed in the culture of that language’s region. Upon graduation you will be eligible for an associate degree in foreign language and will be assessed for either 35M or 35P Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

Responsibilities

• Attend DLI language training and achieve proficiency in speaking, listening, and reading the target language.
• Participate in cultural immersion activities related to the target language’s region.
• Earn an associate degree in foreign language upon successful completion of DLI training.
• Complete either 35M or 35P Advanced Individual Training after DLI graduation.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be between 17 and 42 years old.
• Hold a High School Diploma or GED.
• Meet Army tattoo guidelines.
• Have no major law violations.
• Have no medical concerns that would disqualify service.

Qualifications

• Complete 10 weeks of Basic Training.
• Score 85 or above on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) (active duty only).
• Achieve an ASVAB Skilled Technical (ST) score of 101 or higher; an ST score of 129 or above can bypass the DLAB requirement.
• Undertake 36‑64 weeks of education at the Defense Foreign Language Institute if not already fluent in a foreign language.

Skills You'll Learn

• Intelligence Collection
• Debriefing & Interrogation
• Intelligence Gathering & Analysis

Benefits

• Entry‑level bonus of up to $20,000.
• Eligibility for an associate degree in foreign language upon DLI graduation.