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The nation’s defense depends on information from foreign language newspapers, magazines, radio broadcasts and other sources. Therefore, it’s very important that some members of the Army be able to read and understand the many languages of the world.
The Cryptologic Linguist is primarily responsible for performing and supervising the detection, acquisition, geolocation, identification and exploitation of foreign communications using signals equipment. Some of your duties as a Cryptologic Linguist may include:
Identify foreign communications from an assigned geographic area and categorizing signals
by activity type
Analyze foreign communication for information to support mission reporting requirements
Recognize changes in transmission modes and tipping the appropriate analytical or intercept
authority
Provide translation expertise to analysts
Operate systems as needed to support Signals Intelligence tasking, reporting and
coordination
Provide gists, transcriptions, or translations of foreign communications
Training
Job training for a Cryptologic Linguist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and three to 80 weeks of Initial Entry. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.
Soldiers who don’t possess foreign language fluency will attend foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute for six to 18 months prior to attending Advanced Individual Training. While at AIT some of the skills you’ll learn are:
Gisting/transcription
Identification of foreign communications from an assigned geographic area
Categorizing signals by activity type
Analysis of foreign communications for information to support mission reporting requirements
Procedures for preparing reports
Procedures for handling classified information
Use and care of communications equipment
Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Cryptologic Linguist will help prepare you for a future with government agencies, embassies, universities and companies that conduct business overseas as a civilian translator or interpreter.
There’s also potential for you to pursue a career as a government service executive. You’d be involved in determining and formulating policies, providing overall direction of federal, state, local or international government activities, as well as planning, directing and coordinating operational activities at higher management levels.