Chinese/Arabic

Zaphod
Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:40:25 +0000

Hmmm…

You know, it sounds like a standard profile question, modified for an academic setting.

In your service record file is a list of languages you speak and the level of proficiency. If they need someone in a pinch, they know who to call.

How do I know this?

In 1994, while in the process of decomissioning USS DALE, my CO got a phone call, and 48 hours later I was on a plane to Puerto Rico, and embarking aboard ARA DRUMMOND, an Argentinian corvette. A few hours later, I was acting as Communications Liaison Officer (fancy name for “translator”) between that ship and the commanders of the task force sent to “liberate” Haiti.

So, aside from asking to see where you are and how you’ll fit into the curriculum (or perhaps what languages you will be eligible to take or validate), it sounds like the profiling process may have started. Don’t panic, though. You won’t be called up from USNA for active duty. ;)

Well, not unless we start fighting WWIII, at any rate…