The Air Force is always looking for talented individuals to join their ranks, and a valuable asset for any pilot, tactical air controller, or intelligence officer is the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages. But what if you haven’t mastered a foreign language yet? Does that mean you’re ineligible for service?
Fortunately, the Air Force has a solution: the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB). This standardized test assesses your natural language learning ability and determines your potential to acquire foreign languages during training.
What is the DLAB?
This approximately two-hour test evaluates your proficiency in four language skills:
- Listening comprehension: Understanding spoken words and sentences in a foreign language.
- Reading comprehension: Understanding written words and sentences in a foreign language.
- Speaking proficiency: Expressing yourself intelligently and fluently in a foreign language.
- Writing proficiency: Writing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences in a foreign language.
Who should take the DLAB?
All individuals who are planning on joining the Air Force and who have not already met the language proficiency requirements are required to take the DLAB. This includes:
- High school graduates
- College graduates with little or no foreign language experience
- Enlisted Airmen who need to qualify for specific language-sensitive positions
What are the scores like?
DLAB scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater language aptitude. The Air Force has specific minimum score requirements depending on the language and your intended career field.
What happens after I take the DLAB?
Your score will be used to determine if you are eligible for foreign language training. If you meet the requirements, you’ll be assigned to a language course appropriate for your score and career path.
Remember:
- The DLAB is just one part of the Air Force’s selection process.
- Other factors like physical fitness, academic background, and leadership qualities are also considered when evaluating potential recruits.
So, if you dream of joining the Air Force and exploring the world through the lens of a different language, make sure you prepare for the DLAB and showcase your potential to learn new languages!
Buy From: Nike Leap High, Nike Air Force 1 Low Leap High White/Multicolor FD4622-131