Crypto-Linguistics?

GimmeTuna · 05-09-2009 05:40 AM

I am a graduating senior in college. I am looking into a few different things as far as what I want to do with my life.

Quite frankly, I am not in the mood for graduate school. I am looking to get out and do something. However, if I could retain at least a little bit of my intellect, that would be just dandy. Thats what got me interested in the Linguistics thing.

The Process of becoming a Cryptologic Linguist-

So let me get this straight, I gotta get a good score on my ASVAB, get a good score on a language aptitude test (over 100 in order to pick the language I want)? I go to basic training, go to language school for a year, then AIT? Then I assume I get deployed according to where ever the language I pick is needed most. Is this the gist of it?

If this much is correct I have a few other questions. Do I get a choice in the language I want? Lets pretend I get an excellent score on ASVAB and the language aptitude test, can I have it in writing that I will learn go to school for the language I want? Or will the army pick for me?

If I do go the Crypto-Linguist route, how long should I expect to be on active duty? I understand different jobs have different demands and some stay active longer then others.

**Armyforums** · 05-09-2009 05:40 AM

**Master Tanker** · 05-10-2009 08:32 AM

Gimmetuna, because the expert recruiters don't want to answer your question (or can't) allow me to give you some advice: The Army will not force you to train a language that you don't like or can't identify with. Don't worry about that part. Keep in mind that the Army has many native linguists enlistees from all over the world who can easily be trained in a particular language. So, unless you want to study a very rare language , say a nepalese or chinese dialect, I consider your chances to get into the linguist program slim. Other aspects are the needs of the Army. Even if the US Army guarantees you in writing that they will train you for this or that MOS and you flunk out of that training, you still have that contract obligation and they can give you another MOS. A contract always has 2 people shaking hands which each other.

**dibblejr** · 05-10-2009 01:56 PM

There's a little more to it than you think. It is a complicated field. I recommend you read this.

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=97

GimmeTuna · 05-10-2009 02:41 PM

Thanx, I read that already.

I understand what the job entails. I think that would be cool learnig how to use communications equipment and stuff. I am more curious about the selection process and the actual training. Did I get that part right?

See, it sounds like a cool job. I am curious how much leeway there is in me choosing the language I want to learn. I have certain preferences. If I could do Tagalog, my life would be made. If I could pick up Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Thai or Japanese, I could be happy. Anything else I could live with.

From what I understand though, there is a shortage and high demand for linguists in certain areas. Especially for things like Farsi and Arabic.

Pretending I flunk out of the language school, what would probably be my new job?

**dibblejr** · 05-10-2009 03:37 PM

While I was a recruiter 2001-2004 I only enlisted 1 Linquist, he had no prior second lang. was very intelligent. He was given a launguage test, it's a test where several languages are spoken along with the meanings of the words or phrases. Moments later questions were asked in reference to the language he had heard. Based on the results is how you are placed into launguage training. As you can imagine he was sent to Arabic school.

He was in training for around 90 weeks.

I speak Japanese and I can tell you that the Army is not training individuals for the launguages you mention above.

As far as failing out of school, the needs of the Army would determine what MOS (s) they would offer you.

GimmeTuna · 05-10-2009 03:54 PM

I figured as much. I saw the list of languages at the institute and it got me excited. The test itself sounds really interesting.

I figured there would be a greater demand for Arabic and the like. The job still sounds interesting. I will probably go talk to a recruiter now.

Another quick question. I know the training for the language part can take more then a year, boot camp for the army takes like three months and AIT for Cyrpto linguistics I am guessing must take another 2 months maybe. This might sound stupid but does all of this training count as active duty?

As in I sign up for 4 years of active duty, and a year and a half of this is just training?

**dibblejr** · 05-10-2009 04:23 PM

Yes, the day that you depart for BT counts as active duty time. You will not get a 4 year contaract for a MOS that requires almost 2 years of training. While I was a recruiter these type of jobs had a lot of bonus money and incentives to attract longer committments.

GimmeTuna · 05-10-2009 05:41 PM

Dibble you have been most helpful. Thank you.

I was just pulling the 4 year number out of the air. If the job is as good as it sounds, I wouldnt mind taking a long commitment.

This is definetly something I will be looking into.

**dibblejr** · 05-11-2009 08:31 PM

Your welcome and best of luck.

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