What are the benefits of having language skills in the military?

I'm thinking about studying a foreign language in college. How valuable are language skills in the military, and what kinds of language jobs are available? Do certain languages open more opportunities?

Having language skills can certainly come in handy in the military. It could enhance your communication abilities, expose you to different cultures, and potentially lead to special assignments or promotions.

There are multiple career paths within the military that put language skills to good use. For instance, you could serve as a Cryptologic Linguist, analyzing messages and protecting information. In another role, as a Psychological Operations Specialist, you might craft persuasive broadcasts in another language. To varying degrees, language skills are also used in roles such as Intelligence Analysts, Civil Affairs Specialists, and Human Intelligence Collectors.

The Military has a list of languages that are considered critical. What makes a language "critical" varies, but generally it's based on the national security and economic needs of the country. For instance, languages like Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, and Russian are often considered high-priority.

Looking at military needs specifically, the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, which is a premier school within the Department of Defense for educating personnel in foreign languages, currently has programs in more than two dozen languages. Checking with the specific branch of the military you are interested in could also provide the most accurate information on what languages are highly valued.

Additionally, certain branches of the military have a Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus program where service members who demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language can receive extra pay. The amount and availability of this bonus can depend on the language and your proficiency.

Of course, proficiency in any language alone isn't a golden ticket to military success, but when paired with other skills and a strong commitment to your role, it can present diverse and sometimes unexpected pathways in your military career. It's always a good idea to speak with a recruiter or a counselor at your school who can provide further guidance based on your specific interests and goals.