Level 1, "Survival," is the entry-level STANAG 6001 requirement - the minimum functional English needed for basic military duties, simple communication, and routine interaction with English-speaking personnel. It is often the first certified level for personnel beginning international assignments.
At Level 1, a candidate can handle simple, everyday and routine military matters: giving and following basic directions, understanding short notices, writing brief simple notes, and managing predictable, familiar exchanges. The key limitation compared to Level 2 is that anything unpredictable or outside routine topics breaks down quickly.
| Skill | Level 1 Focus |
|---|---|
| Reading | Short, simple notices, basic instructions, predictable everyday texts |
| Listening | Simple, clearly spoken routine announcements and directions |
| Writing | Short, simple notes and basic factual statements |
| Speaking | Basic personal information, simple directions, routine exchanges |
The most common Level 1 mistake is overcomplicating answers. Examiners at this level reward clear, accurate, simple communication - one correct short sentence scores better than three confused, overly ambitious ones. Trying to sound advanced without the underlying accuracy costs points rather than earning them.
Level 1 preparation should focus on accuracy in simple structures: basic tenses, common vocabulary for military routine, and confidence handling predictable exchanges without hesitation - rather than attempting complex sentence structures prematurely.
STANAG PRO\'s Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking modules include Level 1 tasks throughout, and the free 100-question placement test identifies whether a candidate is ready to move toward Level 2 or needs continued Level 1 consolidation first.