What is life like at DLI Defense Language Institute? thinking of Navy linguist program...?

Question

Hi,
I'm hoping to join the Naval Linguist program. I was just wondering what life at DLI is like??

I'd love lots of details... anything interesting. Do you even bring civilian clothes?? what is a typical week/day like.

I'd love to hear any personal experiences/comments/opinions... thanks so much!

What are living arrangements like, how much free time do you get, what is a typical day/week like? would love to hear personal experiences, comments etc... thanks : )

Answer 1

I went to DLI two years ago. It is much like a regular college campus. You go to class from 7:30 to 3:30 everyday. You have a teaching team of about 5 natives that rotate your classes. I was married so I lived off-base. Otherwise you live in dorms at the school. You sit in class with students from every branch of service, with officers and enlisted. I loved it. You have to study hard, but they walk you through starting with simple sound and script.
They have two athletic fields and a very nice gym. Monterey is awesome. I lived five minutes from the beach and every weekend I would go down to Big Sur and go hiking with my dogs. San Francisco is only 2.5 hours away and it is also a beautiful city. There are a lot of restaurants and bars in Monterey. If you like the outdoors you'll love it.
Yes you bring civilian clothes, but you don't wear them to class, but you'll wear them any other time.
Every year they have a language day where you are out of class and each language does skits and cooks authentic food that your teachers will help you make. There are a lot of volunteer activites to participate in. You can work at Pebble Beach golf tournaments or go help out at major league football games. You'll have fun while you are there. We were told to work hard and study during the week and then take a break and enjoy your weekends. If you have a car to bring I highly reccommend that. If not, downtown Monterey is in walking distance and I knew a lot of people who walked there every weekend. (Maybe 1-2 miles) I loved it and hope I get ot go back one day. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

This is still a military institutuion and even more so because it is joint forces.

NO you do not wear civilian clothes to class, you are in the Navy and you will wear your Navy uniform just like any other school. You can wear civilian clothes when and where they tell you can.

It is an EXTREMELY hard and demanding program IF you can take and pass the DLAB with a high enough score to even get this Navy rating. 97% of the people that take the test do not get an approved score.

The location in Monterey, CA is outstanding and a great place to live while you are in school. Live it up while you are there and see as much of Northern California that you can while you are there. Great food and weather.

Answer 3

Navy Language School

Answer 4

1. Yes 2. Usually your working blues uniform, or the new cammies they are coming out with. On special occasions you will wear your whites. 3. No, only when you are in class or on barracks watch duty. 4. The Navy posts a seaman at the front door of the barracks (quarterdeck) for a day's shift, and he wears whites. You will take a turn doing that at some point. 5. You can go wherever you want on the weekends, as long as it is within the boundaries your command sets. Usually, you can go as far as San Francisco on the weekend. 6. No, you don't have to wear your uniform off base unless you just feel proud that day. 7. You can stay at her house on the weekends, but I would recommend staying at your own room during the week. You have to be up early for formation and PT and class, and you need to focus on class while you're there. Your command will give you guidelines for these sorts of things. 8. Your bed is a twin, usually a bunk bed. 9. Your room is big enough for a bunk bed, two desks, two wall lockers, and a little fridge. (Remember you have a roommate.) If you live in the better barracks, it will be a bit bigger. There are no closets, so you will have to be creative with your storage. I put cinder blocks under by bed legs and raised the bed up to the highest rungs and that left some pretty good space. I also owned several white plastic storage bins with wheels on the bottom. 10. Showers in the barracks with the common bathrooms, and tubs in the barracks where you have your own bathroom (head). 11. Depends on if you have PT in the mornings or afternoon. You will probably want to eat breakfast, so get up early enough to get ready for class and eat. Navy has formations in the morning right before class. Class starts at 8. 12. Class is usually over at 3:30 or so. 13. You can go to the beach as many times as you want. There is one at the bottom of the hill that is a 2-mile run. The water is COLD!! GO the the AQUARIUM!! It is awesome.. really big, lots of really cool stuff. And don't miss a whale watching tour. I regret never having done that. Also, if you are into classic cars, there is no better place to be. Volunteer to work at these car shows and you will get in for free. You will do a minimal amount of work and then be free to roam the shows. Laguna Seca Raceway also has Lambo and motorcycle races that you can volunteer for. Take advantage!

Answer 5

RE:
What is life like at DLI Defense Language Institute? thinking of Navy linguist program...?
Hi,
I'm hoping to join the Naval Linguist program. I was just wondering what life at DLI is like??

I'd love lots of details... anything interesting. Do you even bring civilian clothes?? what is a typical week/day like.

I'd love to hear any personal...

Answer 6

I've got a friend who went through DLI twice. As a student your life will be totally consumed with learning a language. A great deal of your off duty time will be spent doing extra work in the school's language labs.

You are taught by natural, foreign born and raised, speakers of the language you are learning. You will live, breath, eat and sleep that language for the year to 18 months you are a student.

Answer 7

It's a long school but the days are fairly relaxed compared to most military schools.

The schoolwork is fast and it's easy to fall behind. After your 6-7 hours of school, you'll have a couple of hours of homework and then be able to dress as you please.

You'll be near Carmel, near San Fran and many other interesting places as well within 1 mile of the beach in 3 different directions.

Good Luck

Answer 8

well, have you taken the DLAB yet to see if you even qualify? Navy is only taking students who score 100 or higher,since they only want people who are eligible for certain languages.. Arabic,Korean, Chinese, and the like.

DLI is hard, you will be expected to do a LOT of work outside the classroom in extra studies and preparing for the next day's lessons.

if you are single, you will be living in the Barracks. if you are married, you can get housing at OMC, about 20 minutes away from DLI.

Answer 9

I have made deliveries there in my second life. It's a small base protected by Army. Has a drug store size PX, sports field. Of course you are surrounded by Monterey CA. Nothing to do there. No tourists, no beaches or places to eat. I went to Pebbel Beach yesterday. This is the foggy time of year for the coast.

SSG US Army 73-82