How does one enter the DLI, can he or she pick their language, and would you recommend it? (Looking for answers from those who took Spanish)

LCpl Brian Toop — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:29:19 -0500

I'm a USMC vet and I might go into the NG as a 2LT. If I do I might have the opportunity to attend the DLI. I'm already a Spanish a speaker, but not fluent and even if I didn't take Spanish, learning another language is something I'd love to do. That said, how are people selected to attend the DLI? Do you generally get the chance to choose your own language or is it usually chosen for you? Do available slots fill up pretty fast? What language would you take if you could do it again and were able to choose?

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SSgt M. B. Ingersoll made Nov 29 at 2015 12:49 AM

SSgt M. B. Ingersoll — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:49:20 -0500

Well, my experience is quite dated (graduated DLI in 1974). i and one other airman in my flight entered with guaranteed jobs as linguists. One other guy in our flight was offered the Defense Language Apptitude Test (DLAT) and passed it. Sometime near the end of Basic, the three of us were called to complete "dream sheets." These were, essentially, a list of languages and the locations where they'd be taught (there were two DLI locations back then).

So, back then Step 1 was passing the DLAT & Step 2 was selecting the language from those currently needed by DOD. Of course, the process may have changed.

Oh, and it should be noted that the guy who opted into the career field got the language he chose from the list. The other guaranteed linguist and I did not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2015 3:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 15:50:51 -0500

You have to be going for a job that requires a language. You have to take a DLAB (defense language aptitude battery). The languages you will be offered are based on the score range from the test. Sometimes you get to select your language (I chose my own....but I also extended/reenlisted at the same time), but most were not able to do so.

You say you're trying to go in as an officer....most likely it will be as an FAO; I believe there's an application process for that. Bottom line, if you choose a job that requires a language, you will go to DLI.

Response by SP6 Ron W. made Dec 3 at 2015 2:21 PM

SP6 Ron W. — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:21:46 -0500

My experience is very dated back to 1965. I was in the Army Security Agency which has a number of language-related MOSs. At the start of basic I took the language aptitude test and passed; have no idea what my scores were. I was originally given orders for German language classes at DLIWC; don't remember having a list to choose from Events intervened, so my language was changed to Chinese Mandarin. I wasn't given my final MOS until after training at joint services training facility at Goodfellow AFB. At that time, one had to be in a type of unit which had MOSs requiring language training. I think I would have chosen Vietnamese if had the opportunity to choose. If today, I would want to go back to Chinese Mandarin or Russian. I would not want to learn any of the ME languages, but that might be "wishing" into the wind. Best of luck to you. Monterey was/is beautiful.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2015 2:44 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 14:44:31 -0500

I'm cadre at DLI. The likelihood of an ARNG 2LT attending DLI is very low, unless your CMF is Psyops or CA. In any case, you've got to take the DLAB. Your DLAB score determines what languages you are eligible to take. One benefit of the ARNG is your unit can send you to whatever language for which they have open billets.