Army Interpreter (MOS 09L)

This Army MOS was inactivated completely in March of 2022. However, this occupation had a short and interesting history.

The 09L MOS was launched in 2003 as a way to recruit interpreters who were native speakers of Middle-Eastern languages. Specifically, the languages were Arabic, Dari, Farsi, and Pashto.

These Army Interpreters/Translators (MOS 09L) had an important function in the U.S. Military.

The job meant working in combat situations in the Middle East while using their language skills.

This role also supported government relations and tactical strategy.

The role of Army Interpreter (09L) was only available to those who already spoke and read fluently in another language.

Education, Qualifications, Training, and Duty Stations

army translator jobs — Army Translators (09L) needed to be fluent in at least one other language. Image: Flickr

There were specialized educational requirements and training necessary to become an Army Interpreter (09L).

Related Article – Army MOS List: A List Of All 159 Army Jobs

Education

Those who wanted to be considered for the job of Army Translator/Interpreter must have a high school diploma or GED.

Candidates for MOS 09L were required to complete education not the norm for most soldiers.

You need to be proficient in one or more of the following languages:

- Arabic-Egyptian
- Arabic-Gulf-Iraqi
- Arabic-Levantine
- Arabic-Libyan
- Arabic-Modern Standard
- Arabic-Moroccan
- Arabic-Tunisian
- Persian-Afghan (Dari)
- Persian-Iranian (Farsi)
- Pushtu/Pashto/Pachto

Furthermore, you need to have a score of at least 50 in the English Comprehension Level Test (ECLT) portion.

Qualifications

In addition to being required to read and speak fluently in at least one of the target foreign languages, MOS 09L also were required to improve their English skills.

These service members trained at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center to improve their English skills.

By the end of training, they had to score at least 80 on the ECLT.

Furthermore, they had to complete an L2 (listening) and S2 (speaking) on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and at least a 10 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

NOTE: Some also had to qualify for a Secret security clearance from the Department of Defense in the upper ranks of MOS-09L.

Related Article – Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) Test Guide

Training

The first step was to complete basic English language training if required by the U.S. Army.

Then, they had to complete 10 weeks of Army Basic Training (or boot camp).

After completing BCT, they progressed to Advanced Individual Training where the focus on training regarded:

VIP Escort
Checkpoint Operations
Medical Support
Contract Negotiations
Cultural Awareness
Training Host-Nation Forces
Locally Employed Personnel Screening

NOTE: If the Army deemed you did not need English enhancement training, you would skip the first step, complete BCT, then progress to Advanced Individual Training for six weeks at Fort Jackson.

Duty Stations

Those serving in the Army in MOS 09L were based at one of the following duty stations:

Inside the Continental US (CONUS)

Fort Irwin, CA
Fort Johnson, LA

Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)

None

What does an Army Interpreter/Translator Do?

Interpreters are vital when dealing with foreign affairs while soldiers are stationed overseas. Image: Army Combined Joint Task Force

The Army Interpreter/Translator 09LC MOS was “responsible for conducting interpretation and preparing translations between English and a foreign language,” according to the U.S. Army.

Interpreters also assisted soldiers with familiarization training in foreign languages and cultural awareness.

It was not uncommon for translators to specialize in not just one, but multiple languages.

Related Article – Army APFT Test Standards For Males and Females

Direct Lines of Communication

Army Interpreters were incredibly important because often a group of soldiers with very little understanding of the language or knowledge of the culture are shipped overseas.

Translators were fluent in speaking, writing, and reading the language.

They provided direct communication between troops and local civilians and vice versa.

The most common form of interpretation was done orally.

Negotiations

Army Interpreters are incredibly important in negotiations of all kinds from hostage negotiations to creating terms and conditions of an agreement.

When not in combat, translators often held classes and training designed to give other members of the unit a basic understanding of the language, culture, and other norms of the foreign place.

Often, interpreters assisted military contracting officers with a local purchase.

Military Checkpoints

There was a high demand for fluent translators at important intersections and other military checkpoints.

The translator was able to provide interpretation support at military traffic control points.

Additionally, they often assisted security personnel in screening the local population.

Human Affairs

Army interpreters and translators are crucial to establishing human relations between U.S. Military and local cultures.

Interpreters often assisted in the Public Affairs Office.

They are important for addressing the media during crucial events.

As Army interpreters move up the ranks, their duties will become more complex.

Often, 09L MOS began in an office reading and translating foreign language material to English, or vice versa.

Then, they were assigned more responsibilities like translating orally during negotiations and providing guidance to others.

The most respected Army Interpreters served as high-level personal escorts and Top Secret military negotiations.

What does an Army Interpreter make?

u.s. army interpreter — Army Interpreters make a good living serving an important purpose. Image: Army.com

The Army has the same base pay for all individuals with the same rank and years of service.

You will notice that as you move up in rank and time of service, you will also get paid more:

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	PVT	$1,917.60
E-2	Private Second Class	PV2	$2,149.20
E-3	Private First Class	PFC	$2,259.90
E-4	Specialist	SPC	$2,503.50
E-4	Corporal	CPL	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	SGT	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSG	$2,980.50
E-7	Sergeant First Class	SFC	$3,445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSG	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1SG	$4,957.20
E-9	Sergeant Major	SGM	$6,055.50
E-9	Command Sergeant Major	CSM	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA	$6,055.50

Benefits

The U.S. Army has several benefits included with a monthly salary:

Medical Insurance
Vacation Time
Special Pay
Retirement
Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores
Education: Army members can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses.
Linguists receive a Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (up to $400 extra for each language spoken, or a total of $1,000 p/ month).

Related Article – Army Ranks and Pay

Job Reviews

Most Interpreters agree that it is a very demanding job that requires a lot of education and skill, yet is one of the more rewarding in all of the Army.

The benefits of becoming a translator include learning foreign languages, learning about different cultures, communicating and helping people, and helping your government understand human affairs.

The biggest cons are the amount of time spent needing to learn and master one or more languages.

Army Interpreters are also often sent to high-combat, dangerous places like Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Civilian Job Opportunities

Army Interpreters can continue to work as translators for private companies and other government agencies following retirement from the U.S. Military.

There is also a high demand in education for people that have bilingual skills.

The same is true of leadership roles, which may require people working with different nationalities and languages.

Additionally, the Army PaYS program is a recruitment option to consider for military personnel moving to civilian employment.

Lockheed Martin, AAI Corporation, Concucrrent Technologies, URS, and General Dynamics Land Systems are all companies the Army mentions as currently having partnerships with the Army to hire MOS 09L.

Summary

Even though the 09L MOS is no longer active, Army Interpreters/Translators were an important job to the U.S. Military.

Often troops are sent somewhere where they need a specialist that speaks and reads the language, understands the local culture, and can assist with important negotiations and at military checkpoints.

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Zach B.

Zachary B. served in the United States Army for 9 years, both as an active-duty soldier as well as the Army National Guard. He currently operates a a political blog, and works at a local online newspaper in Cortland, NY.

Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.

General FAQ

What does an Army Interpreter do?

Army interpreters translate spoken and written language from their specialty to English. They also help fellow soldiers navigate communications in foreign languages when overseas.

How long is AIT for Army Interpreter (MOS 09L)?

The 09L Army MOS is no longer active. The length of your Advanced Individual Training depended on aptitude for languages. Army interpreters were already fluent in their foreign language, and some required English language training to qualify.

What ASVAB scores do you need for Army Interpreter (MOS 09L)?

The Army 09L MOS is no longer active. To become an Army Interpreter, you’d needed a 50 in the English Comprehension Level Test and to be already proficient in one of a number of Middle Eastern languages.

How much does an Army Interpreter (MOS 09L) make?

Like all Army positions, Army Interpreters were paid according to rank and time in service. However, the 09L Army MOS is no longer active.

Is Army Interpreter a combat job?

MOS 09L isn’t a combat position, but many Army Interpreters were sent to combat zones to help troops navigate a foreign country with minimal conflict and misunderstanding.