98xl and a slew of questions

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone... I just enlisted as a 98xl (linguist) and leave for Basic on the 14th of next month. I have a bunch of questions about it, which I hope someone can answer. My recruiter doesn't know the answer to them (he's infantry...what can I say?), and I'm out of contact with him until a week before I leave, even if he could answer them.

When do I find out what language I get?

How long does the security clearance normally take, and how indepth is it?

When do I find out where I will be stationed?

When do I receive my bonus?

I'm going Airborne...what are the initial physical requirements for entry into the school? (I signed some paper that said I would be in shape for it, but it didn't give me the details of what that meant.)

Oh yeah... one more... Is Ft. Jackson in Aug thru October miserably hot?

thankyou

Sara

beatpunk@bolt.com

[Anonymous]

: When do I find out what language I get?


Your language is based one your DLAB score and what is available. You should know before the completion of basic. Some are notified before entry. The focus right now is for Arabic, Korean, and Spanish.
:
: How long does the security clearance normally take, and how indepth is it?

This depends on what level you are being cleared for. A Secret can be completed within six months, a top secret a lot lot longer. The higher the clearance, the more they dig. If you are going for a top secret, you better be up front about everything because they are known to dig into your most intiment backgroud details.
:
: When do I find out where I will be stationed?

If you are not contracted from the get go, they will usually tell you your post assignment at the end of AIT.
:
: When do I receive my bonus?

You should receive it at the successful completion of your AIT.
:
: I'm going Airborne...what are the initial physical requirements for entry
: into the school? (I signed some paper that said I would be in shape for
: it, but it didn't give me the details of what that meant.)

Go to http://www.benning.army.mil/ and click on the Airborne School. They should have the requirements for PT listed there. If not check out http://adtdl.army.mil/atdls.htm once there click on Library. Once that comes up click on Field Manuals, then click on FM 21-20. That will give you the physical requirements for Airborne. Don't worry too much about it though because it's not much different. By the time you get to Airborne School you will be in condition.
:
: Oh yeah... one more... Is Ft. Jackson in Aug thru October miserably hot?

You're hitting the worst time of year. Very hot, very humid.

[Anonymous]

: When do I find out what language I get?


You'll find out when you get to DLI. As Paula said, it's dependent upon your DLAB score. Spanish isn't really a hot one, unless you are a native speaker - they will take native speakers over nons any day. Russian, Farsi and Arabic are still high on the list as well.
:
: How long does the security clearance normally take, and how indepth is it?

You'll be getting a TS with a very indepth background investigation due to the nature of your job. They are so far behind right now, we have people here who still haven't gotten theirs. However, since you are going to DLI, you should have it by the time you get to your first duty station.
:
: When do I find out where I will be stationed?

You will find out toward the end of your AIT where you will be going. One thing you need to know if you don't already - you signed on as a 98XL. That means you will either be a 98G or a 98C. I'm a 98C. They are very different jobs. 98G's listen and transcribe. 98C's analyze the information and report it. 98G's duty assignments are dependent upon the language that is learned. For instance, if you learn Farsi, you will go to Ft Gordon or Ft Polk. 98C's can go anywhere we have Intel, but they may try to station you according to your language (not too likely).
:
: When do I receive my bonus?

You'll get your bonus when you get to your first duty assignment. When you inprocess, they will put in your paperwork and if all goes well you will have it within a month or so.
:
: Oh yeah... one more... Is Ft. Jackson in Aug thru October miserably hot?

One word: YES.

nmdreamcatcher@hotmail.com