Jobs Home > Job Search > Army National Guard > Language and Cultural Specialist

Language and Cultural Specialist: Army National Guard

Language and Cultural Specialist

Language and Cultural Specialist

Job Description
Translate your skills into lifelong success. The Army National Guard is looking for motivated individuals to become Language and Cultural Specialists. As a Language and Cultural Specialist, you will be part of a team whose leaders will rely on your expertise in the regional culture and your fluency in an Arabic and/or Southwest Asian language or dialect to:

Interpret conversations among Soldiers and members of the local community;

• Advise commanders on issues of cultural relevance during interactions with foreign officials and citizens;
• Assist the Public Affairs Office during local media events;
• Utilize language and cultural expertise to support military checkpoints;
• Translate materials from English to the select language and vice versa; and
• Assist a military contracting officer with local purchases.

If you qualify for Guard membership and are interested in the Language and Cultural Specialist program, you must exhibit fluency in at least one of the following languages or dialects:

• Arabic (Algerian, Egyptian, Iraqi, Jordanian, Lebanese, Libyan, Modern Standard, Moroccan, Saudi, Sudanese, Syrian, Tunisian and/or Yemeni);
• Persian (Afghan and/or Iranian); or
• Pushtu (Afghan and/or Pashto).

Earn while you learn
Get paid to learn! In the Army National Guard, you will learn valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.

Individuals entering the Language and Cultural Specialist program may be required to attend English-language training to improve English language skills and to prepare mentally and physically for the next steps in becoming a Soldier. Next, you will attend nine weeks of Basic Training, where you learn essential skills all Soldiers must know. Lastly, you will complete a six-week course on the fundamentals of translating and interpreting, before becoming a Language and Cultural Specialist.

Benefits

• Paid training
• A monthly paycheck
• Montgomery G.I. Bill
• Up to 100 percent Tuition Assistance for college or vocational training (up to $4,500 per fiscal year, 1 October – 30 September)
• Retirement benefits for part-time service
• Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
• 401(k)-type savings plan
• Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans)

As a Language and Cultural Specialist, you may qualify for:

• Expedited U.S. citizenship (if applicable)
• Quick promotion through the first four Army ranks
• Foreign language proficiency pay

RequirementsMembers of the Language and Cultural Specialist program serve full time, domestically and abroad, for the first two years of their service. After that initial two-year period, you may have the option to continue working in the Guard full time, or switch to part-time service.

• High School Diploma or GED (If you do not have a diploma or GED, you may still apply – ask a recruiter about how the Army National Guard can help you earn your GED.)
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
• Physically, academically, and legally qualified (must be a permanent resident card holder or U.S. citizen)
• Can demonstrate basic reading, listening, and speaking skills of the English language.
• Must meet citizenship requirements (see www.NATIONALGUARD.com for details)

COMPANY OVERVIEW
With more than 370 years of service, the Army National Guard is the largest reserve component, as well as the oldest branch of the U.S. military. In the Guard, you get the training from us, serve in your own community, and enhance your marketability for the higher paying jobs you are now seeking. We provide our members with college tuition assistance and offer attractive benefits on top of paid training in all of our career fields. The Army National Guard has career opportunities in every State and U.S. Territory, more than 3,600 training locations, and more than 350,000 members. Visit the Army National Guard Web site at www.NATIONALGUARD.com.