During the Cold War, you could get a job at the Pentagon or State Department job if you spoke Russian. Today you’re guaranteed nothing more than the agony of grappling with Russian grammar. Still, there are signs that a few Americans are taking the plunge.During the Cold War, you could get a job at the Pentagon or State Department job if you spoke Russian. Today you’re guaranteed nothing more than the agony of grappling with Russian grammar. Still, there are signs that a few Americans are taking the plunge.