ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Being able to speak another language may translate into more money for some military people, including those who do not perform language duties.
Foreign Language Proficiency Pay rates will increase June 1 for qualified military members.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense approved the new FLPP rates May 10 for active-duty people and reservists with valuable foreign language skills. The new rates will raise the maximum pay rate for single-language proficiency from $200 to $500 a month. People with multiple-language proficiency will see a jump in the maximum pay rate from $300 to $1,000 a month.
These new FLPP rates will apply to dozens of desired languages in an effort to encourage members with language skills to self identify and maintain or increase their proficiency. At the same time, DOD hopes the new rates will increase its capability in languages of strategic importance, such as Chinese, Arabic, Farsi and Pashtu.
Previously, FLPP guidance limited the highest language pay rates to people performing language duties. A new emphasis on strategic value and language skill level makes all military personnel – regardless of billet or AFSC – eligible for FLPP in any DOD-approved language in which they can show proficiency at the minimum-approved level.
While the new guidelines will increase language pay for some, DOD identified Spanish, Tagalog, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Korean and French as “abundant or surplus.” Since sufficient strategic capability in these languages already exists, the Air Force will stop paying FLPP July 1 to members for these languages unless they are performing language duties in an authorized Air Force specialty code or language-designated position.
People must still complete language testing annually to continue receiving pay. However, they no longer need to possess a secret or higher security clearance to qualify for the pay.
The new FLPP guidance also states that incentive payments will no longer be limited to two languages. Any individual claiming proficiency in more than two DOD-approved languages may receive FLPP for all languages up to the $1,000 monthly cap.
Air Force Reserve Command people can find more details about FLPP online at https://arpc.afrc.af.mil/education/ flpp.asp. For specific questions about payments and entitlements, reservists should contact their local military personnel flight. (AFRC News Service)