FEATURES
8 The Linguist Vol/57 No/6 2018
ciol.org.uk/tl
An Intelligence Analyst* in the RAF Specialist Recruitment
Team explains why language skills are so vital to the work
A
n Intelligence Analyst (Linguist) or Int An (L)
plays a vital role in protecting the security of
domestic, national and international interests
by interpreting, analysing and disseminating intelligence
through the interception of foreign voice transmissions
using state-of-the-art receiving and recording systems.
From this, valuable intelligence about actual or
potential enemies, and their strengths, weaknesses,
movements and locations, can be discovered. There is
also the opportunity to act as an interpreter for troops
on the ground.
Whatever their role, the contribution from linguists is
vital to operational success as they support operations
across the globe and assist senior commanders in making
key decisions. In some cases, they may be the first or only
people to hear vital pieces of information, which can affect
the outcome of a military objective and save lives. On
operations, linguists can be expected to support ground
missions by intercepting enemy communications in the
area and monitoring potential threats. This is especially
significant in operational theatres where soldiers are
deployed on the ground in hazardous territory.
In-depth training
The Royal Air Force (RAF) relies significantly on the high-
calibre skills of its Int An (L) cadre. Personnel are currently
taught languages of operational importance in an
intensive 18-month course designed for people who
have never learnt the language before. Students are
taught all four aspects of a language (reading, writing,
speaking and listening) and are assessed regularly on
their progress.
The languages taught at the Defence College for
Languages and Culture change depending on
operational requirements (currently Arabic, Russian and
Farsi). This is followed by an applied course designed to
bridge the gap between formal language learning and
the ability to interpret, decipher and analyse real-world
military intelligence audio cuts.
Here, linguists become fully equipped to affect
operations and able to influence commanders' decisions
effectively based on the information they gather and
translate. CIOL now offers membership to RAF
personnel who train to become linguists, commensurate
with training and the application of the language.
Sky's the limit
BRIDGING
THE GAP
RAF Intelligence
Analysts (Linguist) at
work (main image);
and (above) an RAF
Airman studies
Arabic, a language of
operational significance
Sky's the limit
IMAGES
©
PAUL
SAXBY
