NEW ORLEANS -- The Marine Forces Reserve command language program has come a long way since the new command language program manager showed up in 2009.
The program is capable of sending Marines to San Diego State University to learn foreign languages before they are deployed.
Eleven Marines are currently attending the eight-week basic Pashto course at San Diego State University and are slated to graduate May 6.
Before the Marines are sent to classes they are screened by the MarForRes command language program.
Recently, 12 Marines from 1st Battalion 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, attended an online 18-week virtual classroom for Pashto. They graduated from the class March 24.
The Marines never would have had the opportunity to attend the classes, however, if the new command language program manager didn’t make it possible.
“I was hired in 2009”, said Isley Lundgren, the command language program manager for Marine Forces Reserve. “The program was pretty much non-existent and I had to build it from the ground up.”
When MarForRes moves its facilities to the soon-to-be unveiled Marine Corps Support Facility here there will be a language lab open to service members who are interested in taking a variety of language aptitude and proficiency tests to improve their skills in foreign languages. In the new library and language lab, currently under construction, service members will be able to watch foreign movies to better themselves in other languages.
“I hope to have it operational by July or August,” Lundgren said.
When service members become eligible as a translator, they’ll have a free military occupational skill and the opportunity to deploy and assist with missions around the world.
The Department of Defense uses the DLAB to measure ability to learn a foreign language. As of 2009, the test is completely Web based.
By scoring high enough on the Defense Language Proficiency Test or the Oral Proficiency Interview, a service member can earn up to an extra $500 a month. Service members can also get college credit for taking the exams.
If a Marine wants to earn some extra cash and get an opportunity to travel the world, all they have to do is take the tests and get involved.
For more information contact Isley Lundgren, the command language program manager for MarForRes, at (504) 678-0647.