About this Unit
The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), located in Monterey, California, traces its origins to the Military Intelligence Service Language School established in 1941 at the Presidio of San Francisco to train Nisei soldiers in Japanese. In 1946, the school moved to the Presidio of Monterey, where it expanded its curriculum to include a wide range of critical languages for U.S. military and government personnel. Over the decades, DLIFLC has become the Department of Defense’s premier language training institution, providing intensive instruction in more than a dozen languages to service members from all branches. The institute plays a vital role in enhancing linguistic capabilities and cultural understanding, supporting U.S. military operations and intelligence efforts worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) traces its roots to the Military Intelligence Service Language School, founded in 1941 to train Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) as translators and interpreters during World War II.
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Relocation to Monterey: Originally located at the Presidio of San Francisco, the school moved to its current site at the Presidio of Monterey, California, in 1946 due to growing class sizes and post-war expansion.
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Largest Foreign Language School: DLIFLC is recognized as the largest foreign language school in the United States, teaching more than 20 languages to military personnel and select government civilians.
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Critical Languages: The institute specializes in “critical languages” such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Pashto—languages vital for national security and military operations.
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Civilian and International Students: While primarily training U.S. military members, DLIFLC also trains personnel from allied nations and various U.S. government agencies, fostering international cooperation.
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Intensive Curriculum: Language programs at DLIFLC are renowned for their intensity, with students spending up to seven hours a day in class, five days a week, often for a year or more depending on the language’s difficulty.
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Role in the Cold War: During the Cold War, DLIFLC played a crucial role in training linguists in Russian and other Eastern Bloc languages, supporting intelligence and diplomatic efforts.
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Distinguished Alumni: DLIFLC graduates have served as translators at major historic events, such as the Korean Armistice talks and Middle East peace negotiations, and in critical missions worldwide.
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Language Olympics: The institute hosts annual “Language Olympics,” where students compete in cultural and linguistic challenges that test their mastery and celebrate multiculturalism.
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Presidio’s Historic Setting: The Presidio of Monterey, where DLIFLC is located, has a military history dating back to 1770, making it one of the oldest military installations on the West Coast.
