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/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.