Foreign Language Knowledge & Revelevance to an SNA Applicant

[not_the_lasagna]

So, I'm shooting to apply for SNA/NFO, and I have varying mastery of English, German, Russian, and Arabic. I have an opportunity to study abroad in Morocco coming up this summer to further my language skills, BUT I could also just take more classes and graduate a little sooner.

Does the Navy care at all about language proficiency or is my time better spent finishing up my degree? Given that I'm applying for SNA/NFO, I don't think my language abilities are relevant, but it might be worthwhile to have this out of country experience.
Opinions?

 

[Brett327]

Not relevant at all for aviation, though it may open some doors for you at the post DH level. On a personal level, all else being equal, I would study abroad just to get the life experience. The Navy does pay people who have proficiency in certain languages. Ask about Defense Language Proficiency Testing (DLPT) after you're commissioned. I'm not up to speed on what languages are earning money these days, but a squadronmate of mine got paid an extra $700 each month because he speaks Norwegian. He had to do a test every couple years to demonstrate written and conversational proficiency. I lived in France when I was young, but French gets you jack squat.

Peruse this site for more info.

 

[not_the_lasagna]

Not relevant at all for aviation, though it may open some doors for you at the post DH level. On a personal level, all else being equal, I would study abroad just to get the life experience. The Navy does pay people who have proficiency in certain languages. Ask about Defense Language Proficiency Testing (DLPT) after you're commissioned. I'm not up to speed on what languages are earning money these days, but a squadronmate of mine got paid an extra $700 each month because he speaks Norwegian. He had to do a test every couple years to demonstrate written and conversational proficiency. I lived in France when I was young, but French gets you jack squat.

Peruse this site for more info.

You make a good point. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would probably look back on it a lot more fondly than taking a summer accounting class. And the potential extra pay doesn't sound bad

 

[Rellag]

Take the summer abroad, and when there, stop in to the embassy and meet the defense attache and learn about the obscure but interesting diplomatic programs you can apply to.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Attaché_System

 

[Recovering LSO]

Keep a VERY detailed list of the countries you visit, and the dates you were there. It will make completing your security clearance paperwork much easier. Also, you mentioned (maybe a typo) a "varying mastery of English....." How "varying" is your mastery of English?

 

[not_the_lasagna]

Keep a VERY detailed list of the countries you visit, and the dates you were there. It will make completing your security clearance paperwork much easier. Also, you mentioned (maybe a typo) a "varying mastery of English....." How "varying" is your mastery of English?

I am fluent. I was trying to say that I had varying comprehension of all 4 languages, English and German being my strongest, with Russian and Arabic being my weakest. Not the best diction on my part.

 

[Recovering LSO]

But for real, keep an accurate log of your international travel. It'll save you pain later.

 

[Beans]

Not relevant at all for aviation, though it may open some doors for you at the post DH level. On a personal level, all else being equal, I would study abroad just to get the life experience. The Navy does pay people who have proficiency in certain languages. Ask about Defense Language Proficiency Testing (DLPT) after you're commissioned. I'm not up to speed on what languages are earning money these days, but a squadronmate of mine got paid an extra $700 each month because he speaks Norwegian. He had to do a test every couple years to demonstrate written and conversational proficiency. I lived in France when I was young, but French gets you jack squat.

Peruse this site for more info.

You can actually take the DLPT w/in a few months of being commissioned, and the bonus pays, if applicable, will show up in your first paycheck.

 

[DesertRooster]

Could the OP get the bonus 3 times over because he knows 3 extra, not just one?

 

[Brett327]

From what I've read, members can receive pay for multiple languages as long as the total pay does not exceed $1000/mo. That said, German and Russian aren't languages that are currently in high demand. Arabic is another story. Do a Googgle search for the Navy's "Strategic Languages List" for more info.

 

[Uncle Fester]

...That said, German and Russian aren't languages that are currently in high demand...

Give it time. After this election, all the banking will be done in German, and as for Russian, well...

(I keed, I keed...)

 

[IRfly]

For the love of god and language, can we at least get English right and correctly spell the word "relevance" in the thread title?

For the OP, I don't believe that knowing (or in your case, simply having studied) languages is at all relevant to your SNA/SNFO application except for showing yourself to be a "complete person." You MIGHT be able to get some extra pay out of it (depends on the language, the score, and which instruction you fall under). Some years I got extra pay as a 1320. Some I did not. The tests in Russian, German, and Arabic are very challenging--don't expect that a couple of years of college classes (even including study abroad) will prepare you to get the scores you need for bonus pay (2/2 for most languages).

Down the line, language proficiency might open some other doors for you.

 

[Recovering LSO]

For the love of god and language, can we at least get English right and correctly spell the word "relevance" in the thread title?

Also, you mentioned (maybe a typo) a "varying mastery of English....." How "varying" is your mastery of English?

Maybe I was too subtle

 

[Max the Mad Russian]

(I keed, I keed...)

Well, nice picture. By the way, this ugly APC, the first air droppable thing ever, is not compatible with long AK-47s - the crews were armed with short AKSs. Generally, to lug the original 47 is akin to play Gibson Les Paul guitar onstage - both are surprisingly heavy

 

[Rellag]

But Max, you are fighting Wolverines: small, ferocious animals.

And this is why the Wolverines won.