DLIFLC, Monterey

• 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. • 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. • 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. • Critical Languages: The institute specializes in “critical languages” such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Pashto—languages vital for national security and military operations. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Language Olympics: The institute hosts annual “Language Olympics,” where students compete in cultural and linguistic challenges that test their mastery and celebrate multiculturalism. • 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.