Do you have an instinct when it comes to foreign languages? They say that some people just do, while others can barely master "hello" in German after living there for six months (yes, that was me).

Sgt. 1st Class Reuben Lenz, who has been in the Army since 1999, is one of those individuals who don't struggle when faced with speaking in new tongues.

In college, the Oregon native majored in French; he also had the chance to study abroad in France for two and a half years. Then, when he began basic training, Lenz decided that a job with languages sounded interesting, so he pursued a 63-week Korean language course at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, Calif., followed by a 20-week course at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas. This meant that his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 98G (KP), Voice Interceptor (Korean). Since then, it has changed to 35P (KP), Cryptolinguist (Korean).

Lenz has completed two tours in Korea, from 2001 to 2002 and 2004 to 2006. While there, he worked with Korean Soldiers, civilians and augmentees to the Army. He also got to attend a semester at a university in Seoul to further his knowledge of the language.

For more than five years, Lenz has been assigned to D troop, 1-14 Cavalry, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Since being at JBLM, he hasn't been able to use his Korean as much. But he has continued to take refresher courses as well as the annual Defense Language Proficiency Test, which upholds his language certification. The certification also translates to eligibility for a $400 per month bonus, as long as he does well on the test.  

"I think this MOS requires a lot of patience and commitment because of the amount of schooling involved and maybe attracts a more cerebral kind of Soldier," Lenz explained. "Not to put down the Soldiers in combat arms, as they have a much more physically demanding job than we do and are exposed to far greater dangers while deployed. I respect what they do. The 35P Soldiers just tend be a little older or already have Bachelor's degrees and prior work experience."

For many, a career that involves language can perhaps make the eventual transition to civilian work easier, though Lenz is quick to point out that with so many Korean-Americans fluent in both languages, the competition is tough.

"However, having a clearance at the end of a military career can get your foot in the door for further government or intelligence work," he said. "Plus I think any job in the military makes you attractive to civilian employers."

Linguists are a limited breed in the Army. For instance, Lenz estimates that there are only between five and 10 35Ps, covering various languages, in each of the three SBCTs stationed at JBLM and a couple more in 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB).

"I would certainly be open to going back to Monterey to do the Advanced Korean course or the Basic course in a new language if I got the chance," Lenz said.