Can I go to Language School in the Guard?

[Crispin]

I am currently in the Army but I am reaching the end of my enlistment. I was interested in joining the Florida National Guard (my home is in Orlando) but before I did that I wanted to find out a few things.

First, does the guard send soldiers to language school? Can this be guaranteed in the contract. What I really want is an intelligence related MOS (Cryptographic Linguist for example).

Second, while I am currently enlisted I would like to also go in as an officer (I have a Criminology Degree as well as a J.D.).

Can I get both in a contract with the guard?

For the record I have had no discipline problems and my asvab score is a 99 (128 GT score, which is my lowest line score). I took the Dlab (with no prep)my 2nd or 3rd day of reception a few years back and scored above a 100 (with practice I know I could do better if necessary).


Thanks for reading and any help/advice is appreciated.

[VTguard]

It all depends on vaccancies in Florida. If there are any vaccancies in the MOS you want, then you will be able to get into a unit. There is no way of getting language school in your contract. If you talk to a recruiter in Florida, they will be able to introduce you to the unit. You can talk to someone from the unit and ask about the possibility of schools. I'm not sure what Florida has for school slots, but the best bet is to ask.

[matthew.ritchie]

I am currently in the Army but I am reaching the end of my enlistment. I was interested in joining the Florida National Guard (my home is in Orlando) but before I did that I wanted to find out a few things.

First, does the guard send soldiers to language school? Can this be guaranteed in the contract. What I really want is an intelligence related MOS (Cryptographic Linguist for example).

Second, while I am currently enlisted I would like to also go in as an officer (I have a Criminology Degree as well as a J.D.).

Can I get both in a contract with the guard?

For the record I have had no discipline problems and my asvab score is a 99 (128 GT score, which is my lowest line score). I took the Dlab (with no prep)my 2nd or 3rd day of reception a few years back and scored above a 100 (with practice I know I could do better if necessary).


Thanks for reading and any help/advice is appreciated.

You have described two very good but very different career paths. Either of which can be very rewarding, but they are mutually incompatible.

Language school. Ask your Florida recruiter if they have any slots that require language school -- e.g., interrogator, voice intercept analyst. Be advised that there are few slots, the slot may be far from your home, the training is VERY long, you will need to take the DLAB test and score well, and you can't pick your language (most likely you'll get Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, or perhaps Russian). These are enlisted positions. It's rare for an officer to attend language school.
If you have a JD and have passed the bar you can apply for direct appointment as a JAG officer. You'll never go to language school as a JAG.


Personally, I recommend pursuing the enlisted career option first. You can always become a JAG in your late 30's after you've served as a linguist.