USMC Cryptologic Language Analyst (MOS 2641): 2023 Career Details

USMC Cryptologic Language Analysts (MOS 2641) are part of Occupational Field 26-Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare.

This field of occupational specialties works to collect and analyze information to both produce and disseminate intelligence.

Marines entering into these career choices will go through extensive training to become foreign language experts.

Qualifications and Training

All Cryptologic Language Analyst positions require individuals to be at least 17 and no older than 28, have a high school diploma, and meet height, weight, and body fat requirements.

Cryptologic Language Analysts will be required to pass all physical fitness and medical testing and cannot have speech or hearing defects.

They must be U.S. citizens and meet SCI security clearance requirements. They must also successfully complete a counter-intelligence polygraph exam.

A career in MOS 2641 has a minimum score requirement for the General Technical (GT) portion of the ASVAB test of 105 or higher.

This occupational specialty also requires individuals to take the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB). A minimum score of 100 is required on the DLAB to qualify.

However, the minimum DLAB score can be waived for a minimum Level 2 proficiency on the listening and reading portions of the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) in the appropriate language.

Cryptologic Language Analysts are not only required to achieve Level 2 proficiency in listening and reading on the DLPT, but they must also be able to maintain it.

The DLPT is the Department of Defense standard for determining language proficiency.

Cryptologic Language Analysts are tested annually to ensure they’ve maintained their language skills.

Marines are required to attend recruit training for 13 weeks, the Tactical SIGINT Operators Course, and complete the language requirements of the appropriate EMOS.

MOS 2641 and EMOS Assignments

Marine Corps Cryptologic Language Analysts (MOS 2641) must complete the foreign language requirements of their EMOS.

The primary MOS for Cryptologic Language Analysts is 2641, but their “Exception” MOS relates to the language they’re proficient in or train for at The Presidio.

The EMOS are Linguist MOSs that are used in conjunction with the primary MOS.

MOS 2641 Cryptologic Language Analysts receive language training at the Presidio of Monterey Army base in California.

EMOS 2712 through 2796 indicate the Cryptologic Language Analyst’s training and proficiency in the following languages.

Each EMOS has specific training requirements related to the region/languages they cover.

Language Specific EMOSs

2712 EMOS, Arabic (Modern Standard) Linguist
2713 EMOS, Arabic (Egyptian) Linguist
2714 EMOS, Arabic (Syrian) Linguist
2715 EMOS, Arabic (Levantine) Linguist
2716 EMOS, Amharic Linguist
2717 EMOS, Arabic (Maghrebi) Linguist
2718 EMOS, Hebrew Linguist
2721 EMOS, Kurdish Linguist
2723 EMOS, Somali Linguist
2724 EMOS, Swahili Linguist
2724 EMOS, Swahili Linguist
2726 EMOS, Turkish Linguist
2728 EMOS, Arabic (Iraqi) Linguist
2729 EMOS, Arabic (Algerian) Linguist
2730 EMOS, Arabic (Yemeni) Linguist
2731 EMOS, Arabic (Libyan) Linguist
2733 EMOS, Burmese Linguist
2734 EMOS, Cambodian Linguist
2735 EMOS, Cebuano Linguist
2736 EMOS, Chinese (Cantonese) Linguist
2737 EMOS, Chinese (Mandarin) Linguist
2738 EMOS, Indonesian Linguist
2739 EMOS, Japanese Linguist
2740 EMOS, Maguinadano Linguist
2741 EMOS, Korean Linguist
2742 EMOS, Laotian Linguist
2743 EMOS, Malay Linguist
2744 EMOS, Tagalog Linguist
2745 EMOS, Tausug Linguist
2746 EMOS, Thai Linguist
2747 EMOS, Vietnamese Linguist
2748 EMOS, Maranao Linguist
2749 EMOS, Yakan Linguist
2754 EMOS, Dutch Linguist
2756 EMOS, Finnish Linguist
2757 EMOS, French Linguist
2758 EMOS, German Linguist
2759 EMOS, Greek Linguist
2761 EMOS, Haitian-Creole Linguist
2763 EMOS, Italian Linguist
2764 EMOS, Norwegian Linguist
2766 EMOS, Portuguese (Brazilian) Linguist
2767 EMOS, Portuguese (European) Linguist
2768 EMOS, Spanish Linguist
2769 EMOS, Swedish Linguist
2772 EMOS, Afghan Pushtu Linguist
2773 EMOS, Persian-Afghan (Dari) Linguist
2774 EMOS, Persian-Farsi Linguist
2775 EMOS, Urdu Linguist
2776 EMOS, Albanian Linguist
2777 EMOS, Armenian Linguist
2778 EMOS, Bulgarian Linguist
2779 EMOS, Czech Linguist
2780 EMOS, Uzbek Linguist
2781 EMOS, Estonian Linguist
2782 EMOS, Georgian Linguist
2783 EMOS, Hungarian Linguist
2784 EMOS, Latvian Linguist
2785 EMOS, Azerbaijani Linguist
2786 EMOS, Lithuanian Linguist
2787 EMOS, Macedonian Linguist
2788 EMOS, Polish Linguist
2789 EMOS, Romanian Linguist
2791 EMOS, Russian Linguist
2792 EMOS, Serbo-Croatian Linguist
2793 EMOS, Slovenian Linguist
2794 EMOS, Ukrainian Linguist
2795 EMOS, Hindi Linguist
2796 EMOS, Bengali Linguist

Related Article – Marine Counterintelligence (MOS): Career Details

Language Training EMOS

Once the Cryptologic Language Analyst has completed the Tactical SIGINT Operators Course, they must complete language training.

Middle East Cryptologic Linguist-Arabic Course

Marines in MOS 2641 assigned EMOSs 2712 through 2717, and 2728 through 2731 must complete the Middle East language training course.

Apprentice Cryptologic Analyst-Chinese Course

Marines assigned with EMOS 2736 and 2737 complete the Apprentice Cryptologic Analyst-Chinese Course.

Asian-Pacific Cryptologic Linguist-Korean Course

Marines with an EMOS assignment of 2741 will complete the Asian-Pacific
Cryptologic Linguist-Korean Course.

Central Asian Cryptologic Linguist-Russian Course

Cryptologic Language Analysts assigned the 2791 EMOS will study the Central Asian Cryptologic Linguist-Russian Course.

European Cryptologic Linguist-Spanish Course

Marines in MOS 2641 assigned EMOS 2768 will complete the European
Cryptologic Linguist-Spanish Course.

Voice Interceptor Persian-Farsi Course

Cryptologic Language Analysts assigned the 2773 EMOS will take the Voice
Interceptor Persian-Farsi Course.

Pashto Supplemental Cryptologic Language Course

Cryptologic Language Analysts assigned an EMOS of 2772 take the Pashto
Supplemental Cryptologic Language Course.

Apprentice Cryptologic Linguist Specialist Non-Target Course

2641 Marines assigned any EMOS not listed in the sections above take the Apprentice Cryptologic Linguist Specialist Non-Target Course.

Related Article –Army Cryptologic Linguist (MOS 35P)

What are the job functions of a Cryptologic Language Analyst?

MOS 2673 — An Asia-Pacific Cryptologic Language Analyst reads a Chinese legend. Image: wikimedia

USMC Cryptologic Language Analysts (MOS 2641) are proficient in different languages and cultures.

While they may have different targeted areas, the basic job functions of each MOS are the same.

Cryptologic Language Analysts complete immediate and continued training in order to be fluent in different language modalities.

Modalities include areas such as listening, reading, and/or speaking.

The requirements to enter into the Cryptologic Language Analyst career field include being at Level 2 in certain languages. However, the Department of Defense has given professional linguists a career goal of being at Level 3 in the modalities that are required per the specific job.

Part of the continued language training is to assist Linguists in meeting this goal.

All Marines in these operational specialties must be familiar with Electronic Warfare including electronic support, protect, and attack.

Cryptologic Language Analysts monitor, transcribe, and translate intercepted target communications.

The Cryptologic Language Analyst sets up, operates, and maintains the collection and communication electronic equipment.

They also work with intercept equipment and must know how to fully install, operate, and perform preventative maintenance on the equipment.

The Cryptologic Language Analyst will listen to communication such as cell phone or radio waves and are looking for any information that may be valuable to the mission.

Cryptologic Language Analyst (MOS 2641) Job Details

Any information they intercept will be interpreted and translated from the foreign language to English.

When Cryptologic Language Analysts translate the information, they must be certain they keep the original intent, meaning, and emphasis to avoid losing critical information in translation.

The Cryptologic Language Analyst is to avoid language that may be hard to understand and must be impartial when translating.

They will use the communications they receive to run an analysis of the information and exploit any necessary communication pieces.

Using all of the data they have collected, these analysts are required to prepare intelligence records and reports.

The reports may require the opinion of the Cryptologic Language Analyst on the credibility of the person they received information from.

It is up to them to find the information that is relevant and document all information for future use or that may be relevant to future missions.

This task can include briefing command or preparing presentations on findings.

Part of their job may be to establish reference materials that can be used as foreign language to English dictionaries, culture references, or indexes including military terms.

MOS 2674 — Cryptologic Linguist was presented with a Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal for performing a search and rescue. Image: marines.mil

What Does a Cryptologic Language Analyst Get Paid?

USMC Cryptologic Language Analysts (MOS 2641) go through a large amount of training.

These marines are paid based on rank and time in service. They can expect pay to increase as rank and skill progression does.

Through career progression, individuals will advance from beginner to intermediate and then to advanced.

Additional training opportunities are available that assist with promotions.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a Marine Corps Cryptologic Language Analyst was around $67,300 a year.

Follow the table below to get an idea of Marine Corps base pay.

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	2023 Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	Pvt	$1,917.60
E-2	Private First Class	PFC	$2,149.20
E-3	Lance Corporal	LCpl	$2,259.90
E-4	Corporal	Cpl	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	Sgt	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSgt	$2,980.50
E-7	Gunnery Sergeant	GySgt	$3,3445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSgt	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1stSgt	$4,957.20
E-9	Master Gunnery Sergeant	MGySgt	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major	SgtMaj	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps	SgtMaj	$6,055.50

Benefits

All Marines are offered benefits in addition to their base pay amounts.

The Marine Corps provides tuition assistance programs that assist with continued education.

The Marine Corps also provides housing for all Marines and their families, including utilities.

Other benefits include insurance, paid sick time, paid vacation time, and retirement.

Job Reviews

Several job reviews state that the typical day as a Cryptologic Language Analyst varies.

At times, your day consists of training and keeping your skills sharp, other times you are working long hours utilizing your skills supporting home or deployed operations.

Individuals in this role recommend the position, but only if you dedicate yourself to the time and effort required.

It can take years to be trained in a language, and the training is not easy.

Reviews state that skills learned in this MOS are mostly utilized when deployed.

Positive aspects include skills gained, pay, and experience.

Negative reviews discuss not utilizing skills enough when not deployed, and when deployed, the time spent away.

Related Article: 13 Pros And Cons Of Joining The Marines

The review below provides details on some duties that may be performed on a daily basis.

Cryptologic Linguist MOS — Image: Indeed

The review below shows the contrast of work-load between when Marines are deployed or home.

Marine Corps Cryptologic Linguist — Image: Indeed

Civilian Career Opportunities

Working as a Cryptologic Language Analyst for the Marines allows individuals to gain foreign language skills and skills surrounding electronic communications.

Marines can find positions as computer operators, interpreters, foreign language teachers, electronic/radio operators, or equipment technicians.

While some positions can require additional training, most positions will pay similar or even more than a Cryptologic Language Analyst, depending on rank.

Summary

MOS 2671 — Marine Cryptologic Arabic Linguist after he returns from a 13-month-long deployment. Image: wikimedia

The U.S. Marine Corps tasks Cryptologic Language Analysts (MOS 2641) with learning a foreign language to interpret, analyze, and communicate information and messages.

Cryptologic Language Analysts can attend training for up to a couple of years to learn a foreign language in different modalities.

MOS 2641 is the primary Military Occupational Specialty, while the EMOS indicates the language specialty.

Marines in this MOS have to meet strict requirements, take additional language testing/coursework, and demonstrate their proficiency annually.

Similar to all Marine positions, these Cryptologic Language Analysts positions will pay based on rank.

The reviews for these positions were mostly positive, with an average rating of 4/5 stars.

Civilian career opportunities using the skills learned in this MOS are available as interpreters, teachers, and more.

Related Article – Air Force Intelligence Officer: Career Details

References

USMC-Military Occupational Specialties Manual

Glassdoor salary

Indeed Salary

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Jeff E.

Jeff served with the Marine Corps Reserves as an Infantryman with Kilo Co. 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines from 1997 to 2003. 3/23 was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and served primarily in the Wasit Province of Iraq. Since exiting, Jeff has served as a non-profit manager in the area of foster care and adoption.