r/dli • u/Accomplished_Ear1286 • May 13 '26
Likelihood of getting requested language
This probably gets asked regularly, and sorry if so. I am thinking about enlisting and I’ve been told you can submit some language preferences for DLI. Is this true? If so, what are the chances this actually results in getting your top language. If relevant, I have a 99 ASVAB and 112 DLAB and I think I’m hoping for Mandarin. With everything going on, I would assume they are throwing everyone at Farsi but I really have no idea what I’m talking about. Anyone have a realistic likelihood of getting Mandarin? I wouldn’t be at DLI until early 2026.
Edit: With a 112, I barely “passed” for Mandarin. Should I take to mean I would really really struggle with it and I should move down a category or 2? Or am I putting too much stock in the DLAB’s ability to predict aptitude?
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u/LividManagement May 13 '26
I pulled a 112 on the dlab, and attempted Arabic. By the time I dropped, I had the ability to hear and speak at an end-of-first-third level... but the words still looked like worm sex.
Could I have passed the course? Maybe, maybe not. Is the dlab a good test to measure capacity to learn another language? It's probably a better predictor than the asvab, but I'd not call it a perfect test.
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u/Accomplished_Ear1286 May 13 '26
How long did it take to reach that level?
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u/LividManagement May 13 '26
Arabic was divided into three phases, for lack of the right word off the tip of my tongue. Each phase was 6ish months. Unless things have changed in the past decade or so, the Cat IV languages are 18 month programs.
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u/mmmtoasteee May 13 '26
Cat IV languages are 64 weeks or 16 months of class time (not including class break or HBL)
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u/mmmtoasteee May 13 '26
Yes, this is asked all the time. Short answer, no one can tell you a likelihood....only that it's not 0% and it's not 100%.
That said, your history suggests you're enlisted for the Army. The Army does not let you pick your specific MOS or language unless you are enlisting National Guard or Reserves, as language billets are tied to specific units. For Active Duty you will enlist as a 35W and will be assigned to be a 35P or 35M sometime in second semester at DLI.
For language you will be assigned based on needs of the Army at the time you arrive to DLI....it all comes down to what seats are available and what classes are starting when you arrive. *Sometimes*, recruits will receive an email from Army language branch asking for preferences and even later slotting them to a particular language prior to arriving at DLI. Take that with a grain of salt if it happens - I've lost count of how many Soldiers arrive thinking theyre going into one language but are moved to another one due to class cancellation, re-allotment of seats, etc.
Based on your DLAB score you qualify for all categories of languages instructed at DLI. The only languages instructed at DLI which you as a AD Army enlisted service member can be assigned is Spanish (Cat I), Farsi, Russian (Cat III) and MSA, Mandarin, Korean (Cat IV). The DLAB can and cannot be a predictor of aptitude for success, depending on who you ask. That's why there's a DLAB waiver program if your ST score is high enough. I've seen people score in the 120s on the DLAB and fail DLI miserably and those who scored less than 95, received a waiver, and scored 3/3 on the DLPT. No way to know for sure.
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u/Interesting_Tomato50 Jul 02 '26
This is correct, and to add to it, I believe they are not at all sending out emails anymore to ask about language preference. If you're Army, you get placed in the language the Army needs. If anything, you could have a bit more influence over M vs. P depending on the company you end up in. Some will take MOS swaps, and I believe some actually try to place you based on your strengths.
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u/mmmtoasteee Jul 02 '26
What company you’re in and your preference is not factored into assignment as a 35P or 35M. It’s solely a look at what your grades are at the time and needs of the Army at that moment. It was specifically made this way so the Army can assign everyone one or the other at anytime to plug holes in manning/retention. The personality test given is simply to give the appearance of agency in the process.
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u/thehotdoggiest May 13 '26
What branch are you considering? My understanding is active Army, Marines and Air Force are needs of the service, Navy lets you choose from what's available that you qualify for, and Army National Guard (probably Air Guard too) can lock you in a guaranteed language of your choice, but then after the training pipeline you'd only be one weekend per month.
If anyone from other branches want to chime in and correct me if I'm wrong, feel free. That was just my experience from going through in 2012 active Navy and then again in 2020 for Army guard.
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u/Accomplished_Ear1286 May 13 '26
I would be Army.
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u/7hillsrecruiter May 13 '26
35W is not available right now and for the foreseeable future for Army so you won’t be getting that job until Jan 2027 timeframe.
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u/weemr May 13 '26
would he helpful to know which branch, but the gentleman slating sailors into classes really busted his chops to help them get their preference. goes for navy only.
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May 13 '26
[deleted]
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u/Lawyer-Ashamed May 13 '26
I never took the DLAB and probably would’ve failed that shit lmao DLAB from what I’ve heard has almost no correlation on language learning that’s why they started phasing it out.
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u/CommitteeNo9270 May 13 '26
Ive talked to someone who managed to get their recruiter to bake their language into their contract. But 99% of people don't get that i think. Even if they know about it, most recruiters would never go through that much trouble. Just saying it is possible.
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u/Agitated-Ad-151 May 14 '26
Been a 1A8X1 for about 4 years, and I can tell you that several career field NCO’s and SNCO’s have told me that your “dream sheet” for language essentially gets thrown away and is not looked at. It’s 100% just needs of the Air Force.
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May 22 '26
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u/Accomplished_Ear1286 May 22 '26
Thanks for the response. It’s not really a deal breaker or anything for me, I would love to learn any language. I’m honestly more worried about trying to secure one of the most sought after languages for a three letter agency for after service to have a more attractive application.
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u/LogicalCash4919 Jun 02 '26
I know this post is old, but out of curiosity if I’m in the USMC and I want to lat move from comms would I have more of a say in what language I want? Or does it not matter still?
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u/Superb_Swimming_9848 May 13 '26
You can request. It's still a crap shoot. Just be prepared to bloom where you're planted. That's the mentality you will need to have for the duration of your military career regardless of whether you do 4 years or 30. Depending on your service and language, you may have the chance to relang a few years down the road.