Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center

Please think twice before coming here, particularly if you're Army. To them, you are not human, and they will treat you as such. They bypass unethical and skirt right up to the line of illegal in how they treat soldiers here. And God help you if you realize you can't stay without incurring injury; they will not let go. It's almost like they're daring you to kill yourself.

I was informed that prior services members who went through this rigorous schooling aren't afforded the same educational degrees as current service members. It has nothing to do with the work we went through - it simply came down to: you're no longer active military, so you can't apply for your degree. Nothing says "thank you for your service" like completely disregarding those who served.

I attended DLI in 1969 to learn Russian as a Marine. The Russians who taught there were great. I was fluent in 9 months.

Navy Russian student 1974-75. Heaven on earth. From walking the "Ho Chi Minh" trail from the club to the barracks to the friendships that were created and listening to the seals barking down on Fisherman's Wharf (especially with your head hanging out the window of your room after a little too long at the club). Loved it!

Your experience here will really be determined by your branch of service. From the perspective of the Army... you are still under the loving care of TRADOC. Even after "Phase Up" single soldiers will be required to participate in weekend formations, fire guard, etc.... PV2 who is married and lives off post does not have to participate in such things. The soldiers are briefed on BOSS, but it's just a check box exercise.Also, TRADOC has created a VERY high risk environment (SHARP) by mixing soldiers right out of basic training with some VERY jr. E-5s in a classroom environment where they are supposed to be peers. Newbie non-coms mixing with jr. enlisted creates a very, very dangerous environment.Yes, the Army does pay the highest enlistment bonuses for those who come here, anywhere from 25K-50K USD. Air Force does not. Navy/Marines do not.But, you will earn every cent of that money by being treated like a child for the 6-18 months you will be here learning a language.In the big picture, it's worth it. Sign the contract, get your bonus, get your language qualification, but just be prepared to be treated like a child for the entirety of your stay at DLI.

Question I'm a future army diver I swear in Friday I want to know how soon can I attend a language class. Could I after ait, would I need a letter from my chain of command

Anyone else want to share what happened In the SKIF in San angelo? We were forced to spy on innocent Americans. My best friend committed suicide after attending this school. 1776 will rise again. We're coming for you thugs.

Top notch teaching staff

Attended (Vietnamese classes) in 69, great atmosphere and instructors. Back then we had Green Berets and Marine Grunts together. Really made a positive difference in my life. Thanks for the memories. Semper Fi

Nothing but fond memories of my time here. I wish I could do it all again, somehow. So much fun and such a challenge.

The DLI is the best place for learning a foreign language on earth or in the whole wide universe .... as far as NASA tells us.... when you are a part of DLI, you feel like a kid in a candy store..... for a ten minutes’ walk to the dining facility. ... which, by the way, is much better than so many restaurants around town ... oh yeah... the walk ... you will hear so many languages exchanged by instructors as well as their students ... a nice native to a non-native, learning-teaching, conversation in a beautiful combination of nature's landscape of ocean and mountain greenery environment.Prof. John Kaninyaphotos are copy right johnkaninya@2022

A great place for Soldiers fresh out of basic training to learn how to be civilians again.

Should be renamed "Resiliency Day Headquarters"

I am a retired navy vet and any issues i may have admin wise...this is the place to go.....staff very professional and make thing happen in a timely fashion.....top shelf...

Excellent service with a wide variety of languages on the menu. You can spend up to a year and a half of your life here at one sitting and they dont mind. My only complaint is that the staff did odd things like come into your house and check the cleanliness of your toilet and punish you for not wearing the proper clothing. Other than that, very family friendly place if you are looking for someplace to be mildy miserable and really think hard about your choices.

a great experience for those desiring to serve their country