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Cryptologic Linguist/Arabic US Army/Specific Information?

February 1st, 2010 | by admin |

Hello,

I have been reading over the many topics here on Arabic linguists in the military but I need advise on a specific situation. This will be a bit lengthy but I am about to make a major career decision and I really need help. Any and all comments are greatly appreciated.

I am a 27 year old American male (born in USA) and am currently a college student. My mother is originally from Casablanca, Morocco but her as well as her parents are US citizens. My father of course, is full blooded American. I am fully literate and fluent in English and Arabic (as well as multiple Arabic dialects) and I have international marketing experience.

My dream and goal is to join the US military as a cryptologic linguist and use my diverse background to serve my country and contribute to world peace and freedom. My plan is to enlist in the military for 4 or 6 years of service as active duty. After that, I am hoping to get a good job with the Government, a Government contractor or a US embassy. While I do so, I will pursue a Master’s degree with the ultimate intent to join the US AID or possible the UN.

Unfortunately, I made a huge mistake last year that I deeply regret. I was convicted for a DUI and served a weekend for it. It was a very immature mistake that I wish I could take back but what’s done is done. Initially, I wanted to join the Air Force but from what I can tell from reading answers on the subject, the AF would never grant me a waiver to get in.

Now here are my questions:

If I can pursue this plan, do you think it is a good plan that would benefit out nation?

Will my DUI issue hurt my chances of joining the military? Will it hurt my chances for getting a TS clearance? I know most Arabic Cryptological Linguist jobs require an active TS/SCI.

Assuming that there’s a chance I can attain one, where would I have my AIT training?

Does the DLI follow directly after AIT? And roughly how long will AIT and DLI be for me?

Upon successful completion of my training, where will the location be of my first duty station and for roughly how long?

How hard is it to earn college credits while on active duty?

By the time I will be able to enlist (next year due to my current supervised probation ordeal), I would have completed my Associates Degree. Does that mean I can go in as an E3?

When can I, or should I even become an officer for the type of career I mentioned above?

After Basic Training, can I keep my cell phone? Can I take it with me if I were to be deployed overseas?

How can this help me become a liaison?

Ultimately, is this the right step-by-step process to eventually enter a career that allows me to travel, works with FSOs, become an FSO, work at multiple embassies, the foreign service, liaison or even the UN?

I apologize for the long question and backstory. I needed to do so in order the answers my be specifically geared to my situation.

Thank you very much for any help you may give!
Heavy,

I would know if I could get a waiver for a clearance before I sign the contract, right? Would my requiter be able to help me if I gave him all the information?
Also,

Is there any way I could attain a TS/SCI in the future? I’d hate to lose all hope ’cause of a dumb mistake I made last year.

Sorry – yes, a DUI will make it hard to get a clearance, particularly a recent one like that. You may be able to get a waiver, but the best bet is to talk to a recruiter, and be honest.

If you join, and you can’t get a clearance, you’ll still have to complete your contract – that can be either good or bad.