Language problems

[Malarkey]

Originally Posted by daria

hello to everyone! I have lots of questions.
I'm from Russia,so my native language is not English. what do you think,will it be very difficult for me to understand others and for others to understand me while in boot camp or A-school,because i have very specific russian accent?
And what about phone calls and letters in boot camp? may i write letters and speak on the phone in my language?

Thank you=)

Hello there!

First things first, are you a United States citizen? I'm not even entirely sure the Navy will take you if you're not. I'd look it up for you real quick but I'm at work and the internet filter won't let me.


As for yor questions, your level of understanding will honestly be up to you and the people you talk to. I don't know what rate you are, but if you're AC or something they may have a bit of a issue with a thickly accented person on the radio...who knows though. When you get to boot camp, you may be requred to go to classes to improve your english. I've heard they're EXTREMELY useful and good for you, so it certainly can't hurt! As for phone calls, you're given one 15-second call to home to let your parents know you're okay. After that you might get two more phone calls the whole time you're there. I'm sure they won't mind if you speak Russian, hehe. The letters though might be another deal. The RDC's read through them and if they're in another language, they're going to have to get a translator and that might put a wrench in things. I'm bilingual, and I would probably write them in English just to make things easier and less likely to get hung up and never delivered. /shrug