DLI Presidio of Monterey (POM)

Army Defense Language Institute (for Navy) Gouge

German Class BLCGM108 2007-2008
European and Latin American School
Larkin Elementary Grounds Annex
U.S. Army Presidio of Monterey, Pacific Grove/Monterey, CA

US ARMY TRADOC

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Summary

(Updated July 2008) What is to follow below is a brief account of my time at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. This course was a prerequisite for the follow-on tour as a Personnel Exchange Program "PEP" Pilot for the Germany Navy. Note that I am not in the Army and I was not part of a "high-density" language course (read: crypto), nor did I attend class on the U.S. Army Presidio of Monterey, but rather, I attended very small section of DLI, the European and Latin American Languages department at the former Larkin Street Elementary School complex annex which is attached to "the Presidio" a.k.a. "POM". This course was also not for any of the usual language purposes; I am not an FAO or Crypto, and unlike most of the students at DLI I did not start at DLI directly from boot camp. Please consider this, because my experience written about DLI may be quite dissimilar to what you will experience here. Also, my perspective is mostly slanted from the family perspective. The BLOG run by military wives in Monterey is worth reading for familes, go to www.stationedinmonterey.com.

See my custom Google MyMap drawing for details on where all your check-in stops are:

September 2007:

Check-in at the U.S. Navy Center for Information Dominance Detachment "C.I.D.D."/"CCD" on the Army Presidio of Monterey.

First thing to do is of course to check-in at the Quarterdeck. Two opportunities for check-in as a Navy person on an Army Post. Best way to do it? Stay at the BOQ (the former Del Monte Hotel on NPS); the Navy quarterdeck at NPS is co-located with the BOQ front desk (call 831-656-2441). Or, if you must check in at the official place of business for Navy students at DLI, you will have to find Building 629A on the Presidio of Monterey. Below is a quick map of the POM in case the google map above is blocked by your local network. As you can see the Presidio is mostly open land. It is complete with deer and other animals. The eastern edge of the Presidio can be seen from Lighhouse Avenue just as you drive up from the tunnel. The only gate you can obtain a visitor's permit: Private Bolio Gate on Lighthouse Ave.

Map of DLI on Google Maps CIDD Quarterdeck DLi Larkin Annex for European Languages

Where to stay upon arrival: I personally recommend the CBQ/BOQ/BEQ on the Naval Postgraduate School campus. CALL (831) 656-2060 for reservations. Address: 1 Univ Circle, Monterey, CA 93943. It was previously the Del Monte Hotel of Monterey. Other options include the Navy Lodge on the La Mesa Housing area (La Mesa Navy Lodge 831-372-6133), the Army Lodge at DLI, exhorbitantly expensive civilian hotels in town on Abrego street, or even more expensive hotels in Carmel. A quick comparison of the BOQ and the Navy Lodge:

  BOQ / Del Monte Hotel at NPS La Mesa Housing Navy Lodge
Cost
$45-59/night, guaranteed up to 60 day stays on orders. $77+/night, overbooks rooms.
Location +
On NPS next to food, admin, gas station and stores.
2 restaurants, 2 food stores, other services.
Close to Navy admin office, Pass & ID, lots to do there
At NPS.
Next to the Parks Management Office and the Child Development center.
Close to the Personal Property Office for NPS students.
Close to the Navy Fleet & Family Support Center
Short commute to NPS, very slightly closer to DLI.
-
In a fairly urban area
Not close to La Mesa Housing or CDC
See below about dealing with the Parks Management Office.
Isolated, need a car to survive there.
No food/restaurants/etc.
We arrived and our reservation was not honored "no guranteed reservations"
Rooms
Huge by comparison, many 3-room suites, great service. Single rooms with small kitchen areas.

 


Where to live: In town/On the economy for as much or more than the BAH, at La Mesa Family Housing run by Parks, or Fort Ord Family housing run by parks. For the single folks it is a no-brainer: an apartment with an ocean view for 1/2 the BAH paid out.

About the Military housing: Our experience with Military Housing in Monterey was deplorable and not uncommon. Pinnacle management in other cities like San Diego does a far superior job of civilian-run military-owned housing. That said, about 30% of the individuals who have dealt with the Pinnacle contract company "Parks" that runs the former military housing in Monterey have had a decent experience, perhaps because that 30% equals the portion of the ancient military housing property that was remodeled. There are countless horror stories about the service at the company, the procedures, the attitude, and especially about the quality of housing provided. The old military housing areas of La Mesa, Fort Ord, Presidio of Monterey and more were turned over years ago to the civilian company Pinnacle to be remodeled. The widely-accepted story goes like this:

  Pinnacle "Parks" Out on the economy
Cost
BAH forfeited but includes water, trash, sewer, energy.
Houses vary drastically in size/quality but fees are equal.
BAH +/- $200. Single people can profit $1000-1200/mo.
But, a nice view + lots of space = lots of money.
Locations
La Mesa Housing area: Existing/New homes
Fort Ord Housing Area: Existing/New/Fitch Park
Some rare designated areas for those who qualify.
Best places to live without FOG:
Spaghetti Hill (between DLI and Del Monte Mall), along 68 freeway,
old beach houses directly next to NPS. Avoid Carmel, Marina, Pacific Grove.
Services +
Internet: Verizon WLAN: Slow, unreliable
Free HDTV: Salinas over-the-air unreachable in some areas.
TV/HDTV: Must use satellite DirectTV/DISH
Energy: included, get paid for lower consumption!
Trash/water/sewer: included
Internet: Comcast service is fast, cheap and reliable
Free HDTV: Salinas over-the-air unreachable in most areas.
TV/HDTV: Can use satellite DirectTV/DISH, but Comcast is best.
Energy: VERY EXPENSIVE especially for older houses ($300-400/mo. winter)!
Trash/water/sewer: VERY EXPENSIVE. $15-20/80-100/20-30 /mo. respectively.
Clear benefits -
Easy to set up, easy to quit, almost no bills to worry about
Next to CDC, School (La Mesa)
Next to Commissary, quiet (Fort Ord)
Family friendly neighborhoods full of kids.
Close to NPS if you have classes there.
Many options unless you show up in town 2 weeks before NPS starts.
Live in a top-tier neighborhood you couldn't otherwise afford.
Peace and quiet, live like a civilian for a little while.
Utilities like Internet & TV are far superior.
Live wherever you want.
Clear disadvantages -
Quality of the older homes (mold, heating, space)
No good views. Some views at Fitch Park.
You must deal with the Parks Management.
None are close enough to bike/walk to DLI.

High security deposits, utility bills.
Many old houses are expensive to heat and need repairs.
Nobody likes to rent for a short period.
All the usual quirks of renting from an individual.

Synopsis
Everyone has to check in with Parks anyway.
The newer houses are nice.
Regardless of whether you think you will live in the Parks communities or not:
Get on Craigslist and the town newspaper and start the search now.

La Mesa / Fort Ord / Fitch Park Housing Office: 1301 Leahy Dr. 93942
800-334-91681, 831-642-4300, 831-656-2321/22/23, 312-878-2321/22/23 DSN


Living in Monterey, a former Army-Navy town: The following is opinion based not largely on fact but my own eyesight, and is not explained on Monterey's wikipedia entry. Monterey is a fantastic place to be stationed. Most of us would love the opportunity to be stationed for a shore/non-combat tour in this part of the United States, especially just succeeding/preceding a trip to a "desert country", or for those of us in the Navy, a "sea tour". However this town is really that; a town.

The population of Monterey, minus the military members and thier immediate support structure is rather small and comprised of really just these 4 groups:

The REAL economic situation in Monterey:

New Hope for families and children in Monterey:


October 2007 - July 2008:

German 50108 at the European Languages School (aka former Larkin Elementary School).

German classes, like several other "low-density languages" languages with few students are conducted just a few times a year. For example, an Italian class, which had one student, or a typical French class with 8 students that starts three times a year. The German department has two course sections each year with 6-8 students per class; one starting each fall around October, the other starting every spring around April. DLI-EAST at the U.S. Naval Station (Anacostia Annex) in Washington, DC and FSI conducts individual one-on-one language training, but in a much smaller overall capacity. The largest and most frequently-run languages taught at DLI in 2008 are arabic, farsi, chinese and russian, yet only 4-8 students participate in each classroom.

The languages German, French, and Serbia-Croation are taught at the European Languages School at the Larkin Annex. See the map above for the exact location. The graphic to the right depicts the location in GREEN, in relation to the Presidio of Monterey. It is adjacent, joined by a footbridge passable only by those who carry a DBIDS-registered DOD CAC card.

Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC). (Introduction to English Language) The first two weeks of re-learning English grammar are more fun than it sounds. Also, toward the end you will be acquainted with a little about your "Target Language" culture. This culture course and the english language reeducation both contribute to your course credits required for the diploma and if you so desire and qualify, the Associate of Arts degree.

Class Schedule: In total, the German Basic course is 37 weeks long, not including any holidays. my course was from 15 October 2007 - 17 July 2008. So my German course, the fall » spring course, all things considered, was 40 weeks long due to the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays, plus a slough of federal holidays. Bear in mind that on many federal holidays the Navy detachment will assign duties or hold command functions such as PT, mando-fun or other organized events. However, be thankful that the Navy detachment has not {yet} adopted the Army program of DAILY organized events in the wee hours before classes begin! A Staff Seargent in my class was required to attend organized PT and marching practice every day at 4:15am, all the while trying to get a decent performance grade on his second run through (the first was at the Russian school years prior), and completeing the 2-3 hours of homework daily after classes were over.

Daily, classes followed a very strict schedule of 6 50-minute sessions as follows. Note that every language is different, some require more grammar or less listening, etc. Also there are tests, quizzes and other events that alter the schedule slightly every week. The biggest take-away is that in the German class the third semester has no grammar (only grammar review) and instead has real-time news following for vast vocabulary building. All breaks are 10 minutes long, and a healthy lunch break of 1:15 allows most students to travel home (Parks housing in Fort Ord is too far to reach during this time on a regular basis, however):

   
1st semester
 
2nd semester
 
3rd semester
   
07:55 - 08:45   The previous night's/weekend's homework review.   The previous night's/weekend's homework review, or Listening practice   Student presentations of yesterday's news articles.   10 min. break.
08:55 - 09:45   Mondays: continued review of weekend homework or TEST (2 hours)   Listening practice or TEST (2 hours)   News article discussions or Listening practice, or TEST (2 hours)   10 min. break.
09:55 - 10:45   Grammar.   Grammar, reading or listening practice.   Listening practice.
Fridays: Speaking practice.
  1:15 lunch break:
10:45 - 12:00
12:00 - 12:50   Grammar, speaking, or Listening practice.   Grammar, speaking, or Listening practice.   Speaking or Listening practice.   10 min. break.
13:00 - 13:50   Reading or Listening practice.   Listening practice.   Listening practice.   10 min. break.
14:00 - 14:50   Speaking practice 1-on-1 with teachers / Reading or TEST REVIEW.   Speaking practice 1-on-1 with teachers / Reading or TEST REVIEW.   Speaking or TEST REVIEW.   10 min. break.
15:00 - 16:30
After-class speaking time (limited) for selected individuals with a teacher, OR "Special Assistance" if you have failed a test.
 

How can you pass DLI the easiest way?

How can you have an enjoyable time at DLI?

June-July 2008:

Here is what my last two weeks looked like. As you can see, the school expects you to conduct your outprocessing during the very few off-days available after the final DLPT. I had 2 whole days and 3 half-days to do so, yet if planned well you can get all of this done weeks in advance, if it is carefully arranged. See below for the contact numbers, and above for the map of where it is all located.

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
week 34 (38 overall) 30. News, listening,
test format practice, speaking.
1. News, Listening,
speaking practice.
2. 10-10:30:
OPI
3. DLPT Prep.
(optional)
4. DLPT Prep.
(optional)
week 35 (39 overall) 7. Listening practice. 8. 08:00-11:00
DLPT Listening
9. 08:00-11:00
DLPT Reading
10. Outprocessing 11. End-of-course
critique & evals.
week 37 (40 overall) 14. Graduation Practice. 15. Outprocessing 16. ALS Class 17. 08:00 Graduation 18. PCS departure

 

When it is time to leave (POCs):

CIDD Admin Office: 831-242-5993/5996
Passport photos at the Tin Barn 242-5249 (talk to the Official Post Photographer)
Passport Office at NPS Admin, talk to Mr. Osborne 656-1855
POM Personal Property: 831- 242-5203 or 5410 or 5330, 5096, 242-5330/1

End of course provided language learning resources

At the end of the course, on your last day, you will be handed a paper list of links that you can use to further your retention and improvement of the language you just finished learning. Unfortunately these links are on paper. So, here is a copy of all of that information. ( Here is an actual scan of that document):

 


Frequently used sites:

 

Thanks for all the requests to help offset the cost of running the website. It costs about $180/year to host it and averages over 34,000 downloads per month with over 2.3 Terabytes downloaded from December 2001 to December 2008. As per your suggestions, here is a Donation button for use with Paypal for your convenience. . Thanks

 

Now on to the Marinefliegergeschwader 3, 3. Staffel, at Nordholz ETMN in Cuxhaven, Niedersachsen, Germany.

 


GOUGE HOME | OCS | API | PRIMARY & INT. | ADVANCED HELO | SH-60B FRS / RAG | HSL-51 | Defense Language Institute | PEP Germany | Pacific Partnership 2012 - COMDESRON 7  [ Homepage ]

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this page is to be used only to assist Student Naval, Marine, Coast Guard Aviators and U.S. Air Force Student Pilots. It is by no means meant to replace or supercede the knowledge presented in NATOPS, OPNAV 3710.7T, Flight Training Instructions, FLIPS, or any other official Navy, Marine, Coast Guard or U.S. Air Force publication. Knowledge of these documents is considered paramount to flight safety. Any unauthorized use of the information on this page in an actual flight (without reference to the official publication) is strictly prohibited. Viewing web pages listed above constitutes acceptance of all responsibility for flight safety by you, the user. The author of this page assumes no responsibility for the completeness of these documents or their use in Aviation training.

If you find discrepencies in the information here, please contact me. This is NOT an official Navy web site. All opinions and statements are exclusively those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Department of Defense, The United States Navy, The United States Marine Corps, The United States Coast Guard or the The United States Air Force.

Last updated: 9 July, 2008 0:37 by Bryan Weatherup