Linguists in the Air Force are professionals who translate communications that come in the form of foreign languages in order to assist the military in meeting its mission objectives. These individuals are involved in classified operations and are unable to discuss the specifics of their work with others. A person who wants to join the Air Force as a linguist must first complete high school and then some college. He or she must also complete military basic training requirements, which include specific military tests to determine if he or she is eligible to train for this career, and then specialized technical training to be successful in this industry.
If you want to be an Air Force linguist, you must first have a high school diploma or equivalent certification, as this is required for military service. Furthermore, the Air Force requires that you have earned a number of college credits. You must submit proof of completion of high school-level training to the institution of your choice in order to enroll in post-secondary education courses. You should also be prepared to submit your most recent standardized test scores as well as your high school transcript to the college. The admissions committee will also ask you to complete the school’s enrollment application.
In order to train for specific military positions, each country has its own testing requirements. After earning college credits, applicants in the United States must prepare to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, to see if they are qualified to become an Air Force linguist. The next step, if approved, is basic military training, which usually lasts a few months. This type of training is used to determine if you are physically and mentally capable of pursuing a military career. As you work toward becoming an Air Force linguist, you will receive training in areas such as fitness, combat defense positions, and leadership skills.
You must study specialized industry information once you have proven that you can handle working in the military. For example, the language that the Air Force wants you to master should be covered in your defense language institute’s curriculum. You must practice translating and reporting on foreign communications as part of a program designed for someone who wants to become an Air Force linguist. To complete this job, you must be willing to travel to different parts of the world.
A training program in this field includes a variety of other technical skills. When you join the Air Force as a linguist, you will be expected to assist in the planning of military missions as well as the proper use of industry equipment such as voice communication technologies. Being detail-oriented is also important during your military educational program because you will need to sharpen your skills with interpreting communication signals.