Language fluency test?

[urbanfarmgirl]

My son ships out in August, so we have a while to wait yet.  But I have a question and I just am not sure we got a straight answer from his recruiter. 

My son is fluent in Russian.  We told her that repeatedly before he went to MEPS for his ASVAB and other testing, but she kept "forgetting" to mark the box on his paperwork.  I asked her twice to fix it, because I hoped that his language skills could lead to a potential intelligence job, translating maybe.

At MEPS, he did not take a language test.  But one of the counselors he met with told him that if he tested fluent in Russian, he could make a larger salary.  This sailor spoke five languages fluently, and was speaking from personal knowledge.  Of course my son did not ask HOW to do that, or about the details.  Now he has a job, AECF, in which I can't imagine how a second language could be useful.   And that's okay, because he's excited about his job.

But does anyone know about this second language test?   The recruiter told him afterwards that he will take it at boot camp.  That just seems a little fishy to me.  Anyone have experience with this?  If he can earn more money or have additional opportunities,  I don't want him to miss that because his recruiter didn't check a box.

Thanks so much for the advice.  :)

[Anti M]

He would need to be a CTI (cryptography technician) to use a second language.  They tend to be shore based, with limited opportunities for travel.  Perhaps he was not interested in that.  This rating is in demand because overall it is not sea-going.  It may not have been available.

 A larger salary?  No, sailors are paid by their paygrade, although for a select few ratings have re-enlistment bonuses.  CTI is indeed one of those ratings.
https://www.navycs.com/blogs/2014/01/29/feb-2014-slrp-and-eb-update

Test in boot camp sounds incorrect to me.   Once he signs a contract, it can be changed at MEPS with a DAR, but test and change in boot camp?  Unlikely.  Unless a rating is severely overmanned and the Navy needs to funnel recruits out of it and into an undermanned rating, which can happen, but is rare, the potential is locked into their contract.  He does NOT have to do that final swear in at MEPS and go to boot camp, he CAN hold out for what he wants.  But it has to be available.  See a different recruiter is he is unsatisfied.

AECF is always in demand,  I was an ET myself, it is a technical, hands on job.  I enjoyed it very much.  It is a sea-going rating, with a wide variety of homeports and opportunity for travel. Used to have a bonus, but that is long past.

However, the bigger picture is what does he want to do for the next six years?  Does he find the thought of being a "spook" fulfilling?  And what does that do for him later, as a civilian? A bonus up front means little if it is not what he wants to do. AECF does have excellent employment opportunities post-Navy.  Look at the long picture. Choose your rate, choose your fate.

http://www.navy.com/careers/information-and-technology/cryptology.h...

http://www.navy.com/careers/engineering-applied-science/electronics...

With AECF, he will be assigned in boot camp to either ET or FC.  FC is firecontrolman.  Not fire fighting, but firing weapons... the large missile systems.  Responsible for the computerized targeting and firing of specific weapons platforms.  

[Craig]

It's called the Navy Heritage Language Program (HLRP). It's a rare program that most recruiters haven't a clue.
He is eligible for up to $1200 per month for a bonus. This is open to all ratings. I actually helped a future sailor get into this program. He loved it. He told me he never used his skill, but the Navy paid him a bonus each month "just in case they needed him"
For more info, go to Volume 4, para 030201 here http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/publications/1130.8J.htm.
And also
http://www.navy.com/eblast/access_granted/access_granted0908.htm

[Marixi]

Craig, do they have to sign up for this before going to basic? My son speaks fluent German and we had no idea about this.

[urbanfarmgirl]

I just met another recruiter at my son's Sea Cadets drill yesterday.  He said they can take the test at BC, or request to take it as soon as they enter A school.  

He said it doesn't matter if the language isn't relevant to his job.  They can earn an extra $600/ language if they score at least two points on the test (proficient), but that only certain languages are considered rare and valuable.  Spanish, for example,  is not.

The recruiter I spoke with was trained in aviation electronics, but passed the test as proficient in Chinese, so he gets the extra stipend monthly for that. 

[Marixi]

I will write to my SR about it in my next letter. Do they offer it in BC or does one have to request to take it? I'm wondering if German is on that list of languages. 

[neeca]

Hi I am new to this group. I am the wife of a sailor in ship 13 div 096. He graduates this Friday. I am up making banners and centerpieces. I am so excited. I don't know what to do with myself.

[Marixi]

Here is what I found.... Russian doesn't seem to be on the list, but the list could change and not be posted. 
https://www.navycs.com/blogs/2008/08/19/heritage-language-recruitin...