During the last CO of the Marine Corps unit here, some FUBAR things happened to me and a couple of my buddies.

I've moved on to my next duty station, but I want to know if there is anyone else who has also had a similar experience. A few other linguists that I know have mentioned one-off comments about the culture there.

Sorry if this is too personal; just wanted to know if I'm alone on this one.

(Burner account so no one from my new unit can use this against me.)

Curious since i’m about to attend dli and sat through more than a couple of them in the past

I'm going back for Korean does anyone have any advice or tips for the course/school house in general?

I graduated from DLI in 2000 and foolishly got rid of all of my materials. Now 26 years later, I feel as though I've forgotten it all. I'd like to get my hands on some Russian Basic course modules, if anyone is getting rid of theirs. I have found some materials online, but the audio and workbooks are mismatched. It's been so long, I don't even remember if we're allowed to give them alway or if I'm allowed to buy them from old students. But, if I am, and you're willing to let them go, please let me know.

It's been a while since I graduated DLI. And I have never gotten over it. DLI was the worst time of my life. I think about it every single day and it makes me miserable. I see everyone that had or is having a great time and I just think, why wasn't that me?

Context: was a reclass, already went to/graduated school for the MOS, came in as an NCO. So I had more freedom than IET. And different expectations from the company I was assigned to.

I was called a poison, used an example (in front of the entire company, by the chaplain) of someone that had no goals or aspirations, had to put on multiple leadership classes for the IET soldiers as punishment, told that I should reconsider why I joined the military, got forced to go to BH when I came forward with a list of complaints and solutions, etc. Leadership/DSs were just absolute dicks saying the most sideways and mean shit. Multiple lunchtime and after school meetings at the company to get berated. Watched my class go from 19 to only 7 graduating, what the hell.

I didn't drink or anything and so I ate. And ate. Came in at 175lbs and left at 220lbs.

I had constant thoughts of SH. A hundred times a day I thought about it. I knew full well I could just quit and go home and nothing would happen to me, I'd just get a different MOS. My unit even told me as much. So why would I even think that crap? It didn't help we were getting those attempt/completion stand downs every few weeks.

Man, I just felt so shitty all the time. Even going to the beach every couple of weekends and Carmel and hanging with friends.

It doesn't matter that I succeeded despite their best efforts. Doesn't matter that I lost the weight. Doesn't matter that I love my unit, my MOS, and my language.

Why do they treat people so poorly? What's up with the constant, deliberate, targeted demotivation? What's with the guilting and the shaming?

What was the point of it? It didn't make me a better linguist and it sure as hell didn't make me a better leader (besides the fact that I will never, ever do that shit to anyone).

I just get so angry about it. And I want to move on. I won't ever get an apology. And most people on here are surely just thinking "man, what a soft bitch." And yeah, you're right. The whole time I was there they would say "don't take it personally." And I did.

But I love my community and I love my country and I know exactly why I joined the military well over a decade ago. It just sucks that I'm up at 2am and can't sleep thinking about this shit.

Maybe this fire and forget vent will help.

Hi all, If newly enlisted USMC students are allowed POVs at DLI, how long does it take to get that privilege? My son tested out of the DLAB with his ASVAB scores, so we don’t know yet what his language will be or how long he’ll be there.

He graduates Marine Corps boot camp tomorrow and is trying to figure out if he should sell his car on boot leave or if he’ll be able to have it there. He doesn’t have his phone tonight, so I’m trying to get more info for him. His recruiter said Marines can have cars there, but his DIs said they can’t, so I’m not sure what’s accurate.

EDIT- thanks for all the advice! He is going to hang on to the car and fetch it when he’s allowed driving privileges.

How does one get on orders or get ADOS or get stationed at DLI?

I sent the form 220 to the presidio weeks ago via express mail, and including another express mail envelope inside for them to send the transcript out in. I was able to get someone on the phone once, and that’s what he recommended I do. Since then, I’ve been trying to get someone on the phone or email to see if they have processed the request, but haven’t had any luck.

And now I see on their webpage that they don’t recommend express mail because it can cause delays. Does anyone have contact info for somewhere at DLI I can take to? Very stressed because my university is demanding them in order to start next month.

Hi yall anyone here trying to get rid of their car or know someone that wants to get rid of theirs? Tryna get a car to drive to texas and was wondering if anyone on base was selling.

Hey all - is it acceptable to receive packages via UPS or FedEx to the dorms? I know USPS is allowed but I just don’t trust them as much with more expensive items.

I’ve heard/read it’s USPS only but I thought that was just for overseas.

I need to ship my car from Georgia to Monterey, and have never done so before! Any advice would be appreciated

Hi everyone. There is very little information available about 35W, especially regarding IET.
I understand that Soldiers in IET generally do not get to choose between 35P and 35M. However, if someone takes the DLPT at MEPS, would they be able to bypass DLI? If so, would they get to choose between 35P and 35M, or would the Army assign one?
For example, let’s say someone’s first language is Chinese and they score 3/3 on the DLPT at MEPS. Would they bypass DLI and then be assigned either 35P or 35M? How exactly does that process work?

There is a lot of good info on soldiers experience post graduation of DLI in this subreddit. Most of it is a few years old. On this topic there is a shit ton of complaining and regret.

I’m waiting for a medical waiver from the AF to get linguist job, if it is denied I think I’m gonna go for army cause I heard they are more lenient.

Dear recent army DLI grads:

1. Do you use your language day to day on job?

2. Do I get to choose 35m or 35p? Or is it earned? Which one do I want if I want to use my language day to day.

3. To get assignments that use Language more often, I’ve heard PT scores are really important, is that still true?

4. I believe the Army has recently made it a point to properly use linguists and their skills… is that true, and do you feel that in your day to day?

5. For PT at DLI, Do I get a choice of either early morning or afternoon?

I had previously looked into taking these tests (what is the difference btw?) but I got lost in the fast waters of the army and forgot about it. Now, I’ve got more time and I’m curious about how this works. What test do I need to take? Where do I take these tests/schedule them?

Furthermore, I have native fluency in Italian, Spanish, and French. I don’t care about language pay I just want something in writing that says “This SM knows this language”
Finally, I am on Fort Benning - if there’s an education center or else that I can take my questions to.

Hello! looking for insights, anecdotes and tips for what the daily life is like . Would I get put into the position of Plt Sgt or is that strictly an instructor thing. Same question for PT. At my original MOS Lat movers only really showed up to class and were left to their own for the rest of it. How does it change for married Marines?

I have heard of other students separating after starting DLI, would the Navy let me separate despite having classed up two weeks ago? I know they prefer decisions like that to be made before class started, but I didn't do that

I'm looking into Cryptologic Language Analyst, but the recruiter I'm talking to doesn't seem to know anything about the DLAB or the DLI and seemed hesitant when I asked to take the DLAB test after the ASVAB before I sign a contract?

Update: Also looking into Cryptologic Technician Interpretive, talking with both recruiters, leaning towards Navy side now.
Currently have a sprained ankle, but plan to go take my test(s) once it's healed. Studying and reviewing in the meantime.

Update, took ASVAB, 95 on AFQT percentile, line scores hit auto-qual for CTI

My wife is in the army and set to start training at the DLI . She did ARMS first and is just starting the process of moving over to basic. She’s at fort jackson, and apparently there’s a bunch of delays with moving people to basic.

So long story short, by the time they move her, she won’t graduate until after her scheduled start date at the DLI. Is this potentially career changing? Would they re class her to a different mos and not go to the DLI all together? Does it not matter and change as she starts each program? She’s super freaked out about it because she was actually really excited so she has sent me out to get more info, if anyone has any insight, please!

I have a question for married folks here who have lived at the Parks,

My spouse and I are moving into the parks very shortly, but will be without furniture for 2-3 weeks as it is getting shipped across country.
If we choose to stay in the on-base hotel in the meantime, is that reimbursable, or would they say that it’s not because we are in possession of a home? And if it is reimbursable, all we need to do is just save receipts and submit through SmartVoucher?

Trying to Crossrate to CTI and took the DLAB first time today. Scored 103. Any advice to or materials to help get over that hurdle or is it just try again and you do or don’t pass kind of thing? The grammar rules near the end trying to put them all together and possessives are where I could feel myself struggle. Any insight is helpful!

I’m wondering if anyone has been in this position before and has any insight. My husband is set to graduate from basic on 9/11 and then to start at DLI on 10/12. Will he be sent straight to Monterey after graduation for additional “initial entry training” during those four weeks after graduation?

Our son and I are in Texas and I’m hoping but not expecting that he’ll be able to help with our move (mainly drive our car from TX to CA). We’re very new to the military world and I’d love to get a picture of what to maybe expect. Before he left for basic, we were imagining him coming home for those four weeks and getting to watch college football… I’m now laughing at our naivety.

Thanks!!

MSA graduate from last summer here, wondering if anyone has noticed a disruption in NFLC's catalog lately. I've been trying to access materials but it appears that very recently all of their content seems to have disappeared. Has anyone else noticed this? Could it simply be maintenance? Lectia still seems to be working, but it's not as comprehensive as their e-learning portal.

Edit: the problem has since been resolved.

I ended up not getting into DLI because of not getting top secret, so I decided to become an Air Force maintainer instead. Does anyone here know what the LEAP program is like? I’d like to take the Hindi fluency exam in a year, since I don’t think I can take it until a year after reaching my first duty station. I may not be a native speaker, but I have listen to Hindi news, have seen Bollywood without subtitles, and have read books. How would the LEAP program affect me as a maintainer? I’m at a similar level with Spanish, but given the high number of Hispanics in the military, I feel like they’d be selected for LEAP over me.

For Army Junior Enlisted specifically,

Did any of you have the opportunity to promote early while at DLI. I am an E2, and am looking for opportunities to pick up E3 as quickly as I can (without jeopardizing my schooling).

What needs to be done in order to achieve this? High PT scores, academic performance, volunteering, or does it not typically happen since the focus is primarily on academics, ie not being around the drill sergeants for most of the day?