Any Linguist in Here?

[Anonymous]

I'm interested in joining the Air Force and becoming a linguist. Is there anyone who could shed a little light on the subject?

Thanks,

Such a Lady



bayana11@aol.com

[Anonymous]

My name is Technical Sergeant Brian Luther. Although I am not a linguist, I work daily with them. To answer your question, you should first consider what language you would like to speak and then whether or not you want to be a ground or air based linguist. You will want to tell your recruiter that you are interested in the AFSC 1N3XX (cryptologic linguist/ground) or a 1A8XX (airborne cryptologic linguist). As a 1N3 you will be assigned to locations that are geographically similar to the language you are trainied in ie: Chinese/Korean/Tagalog/Urdu/Pushtun/Hindi will likely result in a posting to Hawaii. Training will be aprox a year at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California followed by up to a year of cryptographic training at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Tx.

On the airborne side, you will find yourself spending a career flying on different recon aircraft (RC135) or electronic attack aircraft (EC130). If you have a desire to "get in the mix" you can fly as a Direct Support Operator (DSO) on the various Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) aircraft.

Your command will be the Air Intelligence Agency (AIA) at San Antonio, Tx. Both jobs are heavily involved in the intelligence business. Therefore you will have to pass a vigorous national security background investigation. This will require you to fill out the DD398 (Single Scope Background Investigation). Best advice is to be completely honest on the form. They will find out what they need to determine whether or not you are a good security risk. However, no one thing (minus felonies/misdemeanors) will disqualify you; lying on the form will and could ultimately jeapordize continued service. Traffic tickets, poor credit, experimental drug use, etc will not hurt you as long as you are honest about it.

Tell your recruiter to tell you about the Defense Language Apptitude Battery (DLAB). What sign on bonus's are available (4 or 6 year enlistment). And what languages are most available. He should tell you Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Korean, Russian (if you are looking for Spanish, German, French or other romance languages you are probably not going to have that offered. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me and I can put you in touch with an actual linguist. If you are interested in the Analysis side, ask your recruiter about the Network Intelligence Analyst (AFSC 1N4XX). This job is a bit more robust and offers much more flexibility in assignments. You will be doing the same types of things. I am a 1N4 and can offer advice if that is your desire.

Regards.....


:
: I'm interested in joining the Air Force and becoming a linguist. Is there
: anyone who could shed a little light on the subject?
:
: Thanks,
:
: Such a Lady


brian.luther@pope.af.mil