Inside the Presidio of Monterey: A Look at DLI - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Monterey, Calif- The Presidio in Monterey covers 400 acres and divides the city. Did you know the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio dates back to World War II when it was originally a secret school based in San Francisco to study Japanese. More than 60 years later, the DLI has grown to be one of the best language schools in the world.

When you think of the military, this is probably what pops into mind. But it's what students learn in here that could be the difference between life and death. Meet Airman First Class Jenny Arnette, "Being a linguist in the military is something that people don't really think of usually.  I didn't even realize it was a job in the military, but its so important," said Arnette.

There are more than 3,500 students studying 24 different languages at the DLI. Jenny is in her 27th week of Arabic, a language she didn't choose, but is determined to learn, "It's extremely rigorous.  I knew it would be difficult before I came. But I had no idea how extremely hard it was going to be," said Arnette. Jenny like most DLI students, doest even know what her job will be if she qualifies as a linguist, "You don't really know much, you find out a little when you get further in the program, but even then you can say anything," said Arnette.

Some linguists monitor foreign radios, cell phone calls, and emails, while others are deployed and imbedded with troops overseas. Jenny might not make it through the program.  She's already been held back once. This is her last chance to become a military linguist. About a fourth of the students studying here, will not pass their final exam, "You would get reclassified, hopefully still in the intelligence field, and if not you hope for the best," said Arnette.