I got a 96 on my asvab, and im scheduled to take my dlab on july 14th.

im already locked into security forces, shipping jan 6th.

if i qualify as a linguist, how does it work

will i basically be guaranteed to be a linguist if i pass?

will they just offer me a new contract instead of the the one i already have?

Get it in writing that you will be security forces ONLY if you do not pass the DLAB. They need to have a backup slot for you in case you don't pass (and believe me, most don't). Mine was going to be aerial gunner, but I passed the DLAB and locked in the linguist slot.

You're not guaranteed anything just for passing, you will need a new contract. I was in the same situation when I enlisted in '02. After passing the DLAB my recruiter had a new contract for me the next morning. It's probably a hassle for them, but hopefully yours will go the extra mile and change that for you.

im going to see my recruiter monday, just to go over the dlab procedure and stuff like that.

he's been really cool and he always offers to go out of his way for me, so i'm sure he will do his best.

im going to ask what he suggests to do, and im going to let him know that i want to make sure that i become a linguist if i pass the DLAB.

Good luck, and by the way: don't bother studying for the DLAB. The way the test is set up is supposed to measure inherent ability. Either you have it or you don't, so don't sweat it beforehand. I had to wait over 4 hours for the results (they said they would be within the hour) but of course "the system" was down, suspiciously right at lunch time so I had a long wait. Everyone who walks out of that test thinks they failed, so just do your best and pay attention.

Remember there are two linguist options: 1N3 which is ground cryptologic linguist, and 1A8 which is an airborne crypto ling. I just told my recruiter "linguist" and he put me down as a 1N3. It wasn't until I was in basic doing the security clearance interviews and spoke with other trainees from different squadrons who mentioned they were airborne linguists. I was like "whoa whoa whoa, what did you say?" After a year at my first duty station they were taking volunteers for 1A8 training, by then I wasn't interested since my family was already settled.

i'm actually interested in 1A8 a little more, I think i'm going to prefer to enlist as that.

i'm pretty confident about the DLAB, I have always been able to catch on to other languages pretty quickly, and i'm very good with english grammar.

so you wait there for the results? and I should be going back to my recruiters the day after if I pass, correct?

Your situation may be different. I grew up in a small town and the closest MEPS was a 2.5 hour drive away. They had me wait there to get the results so I didn't have to drive home then drive back later. If you live close to your MEPS, they might just send you on your way and pass the results to your recruiter.

Good luck.

I live right outside of Albany, NY which is where the MEPS is

it's about 3 miles away from me/my recruiter.

either way, by the next day me/my recruiter should know the results, correct?

I don't see why not, I would ask him just to make sure. If a lot of people are taking the DLAB that day, it could affect when you get your results.

also, since I already have a contract, do you know how getting a new one would work?

would a new contract be available for me to sign the next day as it was for you? do they need linguists that much? would I possibly have to wait a few more months as I did just to get this contract, or are linguist jobs always available?

In short, yes the military and the AF can always use more linguists. As for getting a contract, I can't say as it's all up to your recruiter. He definitely won't drag this out on purpose, but be aware that paperwork processes in the military may take some time. Don't be surprised if you don't get straight answers or the recruiter says things like "we'll see" or "maybe," because your contract change is totally dependent on you passing the DLAB. Again, most applicants for the DLAB don't pass, regardless of how confident they were going into the test. I'm not saying that you wont make it, I'm just saying that your recruiter has probably seen this before and will most likely put the contract change on hold until your results are in.

funny thing is i'm the first one of his recruits to ever take the dlab, and hes been doing this about 3 years. im hoping if I tell him your story it will encourage him to do his best, as I know he will anyway. hopefully I can get the same luck as you im going to see him in about an hour, ill let you know how it goes

Interesting. Definitely let us know.

It was the same for me. I took the EDPT which I passed, and the DLAB which I missed by 1 point :-P. I came back and my recruiter was like, so....how was the tests? He honestly didn't have that many people who took it and his past two people that he sent to meps (me being one of them.) Were among the few he'd ever sent.

i'm going on july 16th. as of now there are multiple unfilled linguist jobs for the squadron and the job drop is at the end of this week. he said there will be no need for any kind of written statement because if I pass the DLAB he guarantees me I will be a linguist. he said it might not be the next day, but him and his boss (some e-8 I dont know) said I will definately get the linguist job ASAP if I pass

im looking into the different linguist jobs right now..

Just make sure if you passed you actually get the slot in writing.

quote:

im looking into the different linguist jobs right now..

You mean all two of them? I went 1N3...six years later I'm kicking myself for not going 1A8.

yeah..I told my recruiter that id most likely want 1A8.

im trying to find some info on the water survival/water egress training, as im not the best swimmer (also I havent swam in years) and I dont want that to be an issue

I took it this morning and passed with a 168 and I signed up for 1A8.. hope I get the job soon

Holy cow, that's a helluva score. My 144 pales in comparison. 99.9% chance you will get Arabic, Chinese or Korean so I hope you're ok with those. Good going and good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Samsyn:
I took it this morning and passed with a 168 and I signed up for 1A8.. hope I get the job soon

Wow congrats!!