Our national security relies on information gathered from foreign language sources. As a Cryptologic Linguist in the Army National Guard, you will learn to interpret the words, intent, and tenor of these foreign communications, and present it to the people who need it the most. In this role, you will earn a security clearance and perform or supervise the detection, acquisition, geolocation, identification, and exploitation of foreign communications using specialized signals equipment.
Specific duties of the Cryptologic Linguist may include identification of foreign communications; categorizing signals by activity type; foreign communication analysis; recognizing changes in transmission modes and reporting the change; providing translation expertise to analysts; supporting Signals Intelligence tasking, reporting, and coordination; and providing transcriptions or translations of foreign communications.
Job Duties
Some of the Skills You’ll Learn
Helpful Skills
Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career as a translator for government agencies, embassies, universities, and companies that conduct business overseas.
Earn While You Learn
More than any other branch of service, the Army National Guard offers a wide range of intelligence-related positions. Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to learn. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance and certifications.
Job training for a Cryptologic Linguist requires 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and three to 80 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). 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. Completion of your initial entry training in the Army National Guard could also lead to additional college credit.
Benefits
Most non-prior service candidates will initially earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change. As a 35P, you will earn additional pay each month for maintaining your language proficiency, from $100 to $500 per month for your primary language depending on your level of proficiency, and up to $1000 total if you maintain proficiency in additional languages.
Requirements
The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. Any state governor or the President of the United States can call on the Guard in a moment’s notice. Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time. Guard Soldiers’ primary area of operation is their home state.
The Guard dates back to 1636, when Citizen-Soldiers formed militias to defend community and country. And for 377 years, the Guard has stayed true to its roots. Enlisting in the National Guard means more time at home. Training typically requires one weekend each month, with a two-week training period once each year. Get a degree with money for school, learn job skills that translate to the civilian world, make bonds that last a lifetime and earn pride for life. When you become a Guard Soldier, your family will thank you, your country will thank you and your future will owe you. Contact a recruiter to find more specifics about your opportunities in the Army National Guard.
