Posted on Nov 14, 2018
SPC Information Technology Specialist
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I speak Chinese (mandarin) fluently as a bilingual, I was told I could get language pay if I take the test and pass. But my MOS is not language-related, can I still do this? Would there be other opportunities without reclassing to language??
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SrA John Monette
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SGT Soldier
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Edited 6 y ago
The first start would be to talk to your S3. There should be a CLPM (Command language Program Manager) there that will be able to answer most if not all questions. I am a CLPM currently working in S3. They can help put you into a class which could very lengths or if you are proficient you could ask to take the DLPT. You will be graded on reading, writing, and for some comprehension. There is no harm in trying to take the DLPT. The extra pay will be nice if you meet the minimum testing qualifications. As any kind of Analyst it can be beneficial to expand your wealth of knowledge and show your peers you are capable of going above and beyond. Good Luck!
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SGT Soldier
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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I definitely want to take the DLPT, even just for fun, but as far as I know, my language isn't on the current strategic list A...I don't know if this means I can't get language pay? I am not looking to reclass or go to DLI for a new language, just extra assignments.
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SGT Soldier
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It wont hurt to take it regardless. Just talk to your S3 and try and take the test. Even if your language is not on the A list why would you not? Could be on the B list? Even if it is a unpaid one still do it. You don't need to reclass.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Your language would have to be on the Strategic list love languages for pay. Need for language it's not determined by its current threat, it's determined by how many language speakers of that type are in the army. The Army tries to maintain a certain percentage of various languages within its ranks. Here is the website with the list of strategic languages
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Foreign%20Language%20Proficiency%20Bonus
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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SPC (Join to see) it's not on there are more than enough Mandarin speakers in the army to meet the threshold. It is not a bad idea to testout on because sometimes there are opportunities for a tasking that requires your language. For instance, a joint agency might have need of an IT person who reads and speaks Mandarin for a temporary Duty in Singapore, Taiwan, or Hong Kong to work with a liaison team. Or they could have a requirement for a mandarin speaker of any MOS with a secret clearance to work as a liaison.
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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SFC (Join to see) - good point although it seems like mandarin is on the control and deployment lists, does that count?
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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SPC (Join to see) control list refers to control languages which are given to certain MOS. 18 series, 37f, civil affairs, 35 m, 35p, and 09 l are all MOS that are assigned a control language. That is their primary language which they are required to test out on a regular basis.
I don't have much experience with the deployment language, but I believe those are able to be paid while you are deployed in support of contingency operations.
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CW4 Keith Dolliver
CW4 Keith Dolliver
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SPC (Join to see) - It's definitely worth taking the test and getting the language added to your SRB even if you don't receive pay. Anything that distinguishes you from the rest of the crowd is always a benefit for you. Additionally, it could open up special assignments or taskings that you wouldn't even know about until you get a call from HRC or someone in your Command.
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language pay? qualifications and how to get them..?
SSgt Alvar Lam
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There are some short-staffed languages that will pay you no matter what (Chinese, Arabic) but other more prevalent languages (Korean, French, Spanish) that will only pay you if that language is related to your primary MOS/AFSC/whatever the Navy uses.

Source: I was previously a Korean Airborne Linguist
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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do you know if this is still true? I tried looking up the list A and B for language pay classification (and whether I can qualify for it) on HRC...and Chinese was not on the list.

I doubt the Army is in need of too many Chinese-speaking soldiers...given mavni or just in general, that is willing to work as a linguist...without a language related MOS, can I still receive language related assignments? what would it be like?
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SrA John Monette
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PO3 Rast Electrician
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I’m not sure how things work in the Army, but, in the Navy, if you speak a foreign language you take a test and you get paid based on when they use you for translation/interpretation.

It used to be they would just pay you X amount per month, but people would learn a language like Spanish and take the Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French tests; therefore collecting money on four languages, three of which they don’t know or know very little of.

Mandarin is pretty high demand, though. Hopefully you get some more insight.
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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PO3 (Join to see) - interesting...I will ask around more as well! How would language assignment works then? I have done a lot of language translation, and transcription (both from videos and face to face speeches), but they really just send me a document with a deadline, or time/date/place for a event and I just show up with my laptop, not sure if it works the same way.
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PO3 Rast Electrician
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From what I’ve heard it’s all based on need. You’ll probably be more likely to experience translation/interpretation work than I will. I’ve heard that you will follow a VIP and the officers who are doing relations and translate in behalf of the two parties or listen to recordings and transcribe.
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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PO3 (Join to see) - nice! If that is true, definitely what I wish to do...I did a lot of those as a civilian, translating documents are boring, but I love interactive/personal ones, as a translator also great way to network. I wanted to pursue a bit in simultaneous translation as well, on an international diplomatic level, its pay is great and amazing connections.
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PO3 Donald Murphy
PO3 Donald Murphy
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I did the same thing Cherie. I passed the DLPT for Spanish and got paid even though my "MOS" had nothing to do with language. But...that's the Navy for ya...
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SPC Chris Ison
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I am not sure, i think you have to be in an MOS that requires this skill.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
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True - I did for German back when I was active. I learned it my first tour in Germany.
I did get stuck running around after Reforgers (both tours) assessing maneuver damage.
We slept in cloth-top jeeps in the Winters. Glad the Germans didn't own Greenland.
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SFC Carlos Cruz
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SPC Cherie if you have a taken that test as a 25B, you can request to be transfer to 1 SFG where you will be able to get pay. You always can also transfer to a unit that require your MOS with Language. Make sure you did take that test.
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LTC Psychological Operations Officer
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Here's the HRC page about getting pay. If your language isn't on pay list A or B, you won't get paid unless your MOS is language specific ir you are serving in a position that is coded for Mandarin. It is always good to take the DLPT as short notice requirements can come up and DA will search the database for soldiers wth particular language skills.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/16734
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SPC Information Technology Specialist
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does the control/deployment lists count too? wasn't sure if direct investment list is the only one that counts.
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LTC Psychological Operations Officer
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SPC (Join to see) - tables A and B count for pay. But you need to look at the lists in enclosure 1, which is for general purpose forces. Those other lists in enclosure 2 only pertain to Army Special Operations MOS (SF, CA and PYOP). A control language is when you have an MOS that requires a particular language no matter what your assignment, as part of the MOS. For example, if you are a Russian linguist, for example, wth a control language of Russian, then you get language pay regardless of whether or not Russian is on the lists.
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