GoArmy.com > Interpreter/Translator (09L)

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. Nowhere is this more important than in the Middle Eastern countries of Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently the Army needs Middle-Eastern language speaking individuals to serve as Interpreter/Translators and help with the rebuilding efforts.

The Interpreter/Translator is primarily responsible for converting written or spoken foreign languages into English, and they specialize in a number of Middle-Eastern languages. Some of your duties as an Interpreter/Translator may include:

Preparing non-technical translations into the target language and performing sight translations from a target language into English
Perform oral interpretation functions.
Assisting a military contracting officer with a local purchase to providing interpretation support at a military traffic control point.
You may even be required to assist security personnel in screening the local population at military checkpoints.
Other duties may include providing interpretation assistance for the Public Affairs Office (PAO) during local media events and translation of local newspapers or pamphlets.

Proficient in one or more of the following required target languages:

Arabic-Modern Standard (currently closed)
Arabic-Gulf-Iraqi (currently closed)
Arabic-Egyptian (currently closed)
Arabic-Jordanian (currently closed)
Arabic-Syrian (currently closed)
Arabic-Lebanese (currently closed)
Arabic-Yemeni (currently closed)
Arabic-Sudanese (currently closed)
Arabic-Maghrebi (currently closed)
Arabic-Algerian (currently closed)
Arabic-Libyan (currently closed)
Arabic-Moroccan (currently closed)
Arabic-Tunisian (currently closed)
Pushtu/Pashto/Pachto
Pushtu-Afghan
Kurdish (currently closed)
Kurdish-Behdini (Kurmanji) (currently closed)
Kurdish-Sorani (currently closed)
Persian-Afghan (Dari)
Persian-Iranian (Farsi)

Helpful attributes include:

Demonstrate reading, listening and speaking skills of the English Language
A talent for foreign languages
An interest in speech, communications and foreign languages
An interest in working with people
An interest in reading and writing

Job training for an Interpreter/Translator requires you to demonstrate proficiency of the English language at the Defense Language Institute, English Language Center. The length of your stay will depend on the level of your English language proficiency. Once you have successfully completed this, you must attend and successfully complete nine weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT) where you will learn the basic skills necessary to become a Soldier. Immediately following BCT you will attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT). While at AIT, you will learn the specific skills required to successfully perform Interpreter support in the following areas:

Checkpoint Operations
Medical support
Locally Employed Personnel Screening
Training Host-Nation Forces
VIP Escort
Contract Negotiations
Cultural Awareness

The skills you'll learn as a Interpreter/Translator 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.