Language and Culture Advisor

What does a Language and Culture Advisor do?

Serves as key advisor and consultant to commanders and supervisors on issues pertaining to foreign language and regional culture. Functions as interpreter/translator as required.

Duties and responsibilities

• Advises Air Force activities and coordinates on matters pertaining to foreign language and regional culture area(s) of expertise.
• Prepares written reports, briefs and summaries as required for commanders and supervisors based on specific requirements. Creates, assembles and/or provides in-depth briefings as required. Practices and applies appropriate security controls.
• Maintains familiarity and proficiency in validated foreign language(s) and applies language and regional cultural knowledge as required.
• Assists and/or participates in formal language and regional culture training, activities, exercises, or events as required; functions as interpreter/translator as required.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Demonstrated knowledge in at least one foreign language is required.

Education. For entry into this SDI, completion of high school or general education development equivalency is mandatory. Education beyond high school level is highly desirable.

Training. Not used.

Experience. Not used.

Other.

• The following are mandatory for entry into this SDI:
• Must be accessed under the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) Program.
• See attachment 4 for additional mandatory entry requirements.
• For entry and retention of this SDI:
• Must never have been convicted by a civilian court of Category 1, 2, or 3 offenses, nor exceeded the accepted number of category 4 offenses. Category 3 and 4 traffic offenses alone are not disqualifying. NOTE: Categories of offenses are described and listed in AFI 36-2002, Regular Air Force and Special Category Accessions, Uniform Guide List of Typical Offenses.
• No recorded evidence of emotional instability, personality disorder, or other unresolved mental health problems.
• No record of substance abuse or financial irresponsibility.
• For retention of this SDI:
• Never been convicted by a general, special, or summary courts-martial.
• No record of disciplinary action (Letter of Reprimand [LOR] or Article 15) or referral Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) after award of SDI.
• No record of domestic violence or child abuse; never received substantiated abuse findings as defined in AFI 40-301, Family Advocacy Program.
• Must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• Must demonstrate annually (every 12 months) continued proficiency in at least one foreign language at proficiency level 2 or higher in all modalities tested via Defense Language Proficiency Test (or oral proficiency interview, as required).

Utilization Note (RegAF only):

• Award of this SDI is only authorized when an airman is filling a funded 8D100 unit manpower document (UMD) authorization. When the member is filling a valid 8D100 UMD authorization, 8D100 is authorized as the awarded (secondary, third or fourth), Control and Duty AFSC. Once the member is no longer filling a valid 8D100 UMD authorization, 8D100 is no longer authorized as the Control and Duty AFSC but will remain as an awarded (secondary, third or fourth) AFSC IAW AFMAN 36-2100, unless the member is disqualified from the SDI then it will not remain as an awarded AFSC. Further, 8D100 is not authorized for award as the PAFSC when filling a funded 8D100 UMD authorization unless incumbent has no other awarded AFSCs. Airmen performing 8D100 duties but not filling a funded 8D100 UMD authorization will have no change in their awarded, control and duty AFSCs. Ensure airmen employed outside of their CAFSC are managed IAW AFMAN 36-2100, Military Utilization and Classification. Use Outside of Control AFSC.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $53,640–$129,430 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Geographers: $88,900
• Intelligence Analysts: $86,280
• Interpreters and Translators: $53,640
• Political Scientists: $128,020
• Public Relations Managers: $129,430
• Public Relations Specialists: $67,440