R 291500Z SEP 23
MARADMIN 496/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/FY24 MARINE CORPS FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/DODD/YMD:20200825//
REF/B/MSGID:MEMO/ASN MRA/YMD:20060404//
REF/C/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD:20220907//
REF/D/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD:20160927//
REF/E/MSGID:MEMO/OASD/YMD:20191125//
REF/F/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD:20140204//
REF/G/MSGID:DOC/DODI/YMD:20220817//
REF/H/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD:20130327//
REF/I/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC/YMD:20160501//
REF/J/MSGID:DOC/DODI/YMD:20220630//
NARR/REF (A) IS THE DOD DIRECTIVE ON DEFENSE LANGUAGE, REGIONAL EXPERTISE, AND CULTURE (LREC) PROGRAM, DODD 5160.41E. REF (B) IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (MANPOWER & RESERVE AFFAIRS) MEMO DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS TO DEVELOP POLICY AND PROCEDURES TO ADMINISTER THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS PROGRAM WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS. REF (C) IS THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS PUBLICATION ON THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALITIES PROGRAM, NAVMC 1200.1H. REF (D) IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER ON THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS PROGRAM, MCO 7220.52F. REF (E) IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (READINESS) MEMO PUBLISHING THE AUTHORIZATION TO ASSIGN TWO MODALITIES FOR THE RESULTS ON THE ORAL PROFICIENCY INTERVIEW DATED 20191125. REF (F) IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER ON CLASSIFICATION TESTING, MCO 1230.5C. REF (G) IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION ON MILITARY FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILL PROFICIENCY BONUSES, DODI 1340.27. REF (H) IS THE MARINE CORPS ORDER ON THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM, MCO 1520.11F. REF (I) IS THE MARINE CORPS TASK LIST (2.0), MCO 3500.26A. REF (J) IS THE DOD INSTRUCTION ON THE DOD LANGUAGE TESTING PROGRAM, DODI 5160.71.//
POC-IID/I. G. GEBHART/SSGT/MCFLP, DC I/EMAIL: FOREIGNLANGUAGEPROGRAM@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per refs (a) and (b), this MARADMIN promulgates United States Marine Corps (USMC) policy for the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and is effective 1 October 2023. All FLPB eligibility is based upon the FY the Marine certifies their proficiency, e.g., a Marine who tested in FY23 receives FLPB based on FY23 eligibility requirements, and eligibility does not change when FY24 begins.
2. Background. The Marine Corps employs FLPB to meet evolving mission requirements by incentivizing the acquisition, maintenance, and enhancement of critical foreign language skills. In accordance with refs (a) and (b), and in coordination with the Fleet Marine Force and Supporting Establishment, the Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I), in his role as the USMC Senior Language Authority, manages the FLPB program.
3. Execution.
3.a. Validating Proficiency. Per ref (a), Marines must validate their proficiency via the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) to maintain FLPB eligibility. These tests measure proficiency in Listening (L), Reading (R), and Speaking (S) using Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scores ranging from 0 to 5. In accordance with ref (j), the minimum time required between attempts per modality is 270 calendar days. If no DLPT exists for a language or dialect, Marines may take the OPI to receive both a L and S score.
3.b. FLPB Eligibility. Per ref(c), Marines must meet the requirements for one of the five categories listed below to be eligible for FLPB. If a language appears in multiple categories, Marines are eligible for FLPB if they meet the criteria for any single category, e.g., Marine may be eligible for FLPB per paragraph 3.b. but not per 3.b.2. The five FLPB eligibility categories are as follows:
Category 1: Military Occupational Specialiaty (MOS) Language Requirements.
Category 2: Host Nation Support Languages.
Category 3: Exception to Policy for Mission Support.
Category 4: Strategic Language Oral Fluency Initiative.
Category 5: Lump-Sum Bonus for Total Force Capabilities.
3.b.1. Category 1: MOS Language Requirements. The languages in this category satisfy MOS requirements and are reflected in both ref (c) and unit tables of organization. Per refs (d) and (e), in order to be eligible for an MOS-required language, the Marine must: (1) hold the required Primary MOS (PMOS), and/or Necessary MOS; and (2) maintain current DLPT scores at minimum ILR proficiency levels in the language required by that MOS or billet, in accordance with refs (c) and (i). All payments for these languages will be made via the FLPB Payment Table, contained in ref (g). The specific MOS requirements under Category 1, can be found in the controlled unclassified information (CUI) MARADMIN addendum at: https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/FLP
3.b.2. Category 2: Host Nation Support Languages. To incentivize Language, Regional, and Cultural capabilities, Marines stationed overseas who demonstrate proficiency (minimum ILR proficiency level 2) in the language of their host nation or specified regional requirement are eligible for FLPB. If eligible, Marines assigned to the approved Monitored Command Codes (MCC) will receive payment for the correlated languages via FLPB Payment Table. To request the addition of an MCC or language to the list, commands are encouraged to contact the Foreign Language Program. All requests will be subject to further analysis to determine whether the addition is appropriate. To view the current list of eligible MCCs and the corresponding languages, view the CUI MARADMIN addendum at: https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/FLP
3.b.3. Category 3: Exception to Policy (ETP) for Mission Support. Marines who are deployed or in direct support of contingency operations, Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), or Combatant Command requirements; assigned to Foreign Professional Military Education; or otherwise engaged with partner nation military and/or government personnel may request a FLPB payment ETP for any language if they are not normally qualified for automatic payment. Due to budgetary limits, activities not in direct support of MAGTF operations or partner nation mission requirements are subject to adjudication by the Foreign Language Program and may not qualify for FLPB. All payments will be made via FLPB Payment Table contained in ref (g). Instructions for submitting an ETP can be found in the CUI MARADMIN addendum at: https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/FLP
3.b.4. Category 4: Strategic Language Oral Fluency Initiative. To support enduring strategic needs, Marines across the Total Force with Professional Working Proficiency (ILR level 3) or higher in Speaking Comprehension for languages listed on the Marine Corps Enduring Strategic Language List (ESLL) may receive FLPB for the Speaking modality. Other modalities (L/R), scores lower than ILR level 3, and languages not included on the ESLL will not be eligible for FLPB. The current ESLL can be found in the CUI MARADMIN addendum at: https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/FLP
3.b.5. Category 5: Lump-Sum Bonus for Total Force Capabilities. The USMC, pursuant to Section 353(c)(2) of Title 37, U.S.C., offers lump-sum bonuses to formally certify self-professed proficiency to those Marines who do not otherwise qualify to receive monthly FLPB for a specific language. All Marines may certify on an annual basis per fiscal year and will be paid a lump-sum of $300, per modality scored at ILR Skill level 2 or higher, not to exceed $1000 month/$12,000 year, as listed in paragraph 4.b.2. Contingent upon inventory levels of capability awareness throughout the Force, the USMC reserves the right to remove eligibility for languages.
3.b.5.a. The following language is not eligible to receive the lump-sum bonus: Spanish. Contingent upon inventory levels of capability awareness throughout the Force, the USMC reserves the right to remove eligibility for languages.
3.b.5.b. Example: A Marine has self-professed Bulgarian skills and takes a DLPT and scores a 3/2+/2 on the DLPT and OPI in September 2023. The Marine will be paid $900 for the month of September, $300, per score, per modality. The Marine will be eligible to test and be paid for Bulgarian again in September 2024 for the annual lump-sum bonus.
4. Payment.
4.a. The minimum ILR level and eligible modalities required for FLPB varies between the different categories and are as follows:
FLPB Category Eligible Modalities Minimum ILR Level
Category 1 L/R/S (see par 3.b.1)
Category 2 L/R/S 2
Category 3 L/R/S 2
Category 4 S 3
Category 5 L/R/S 2
4.b. Marines who are eligible to receive FLPB via Categories 1-4 in paragraphs 3.b.1-3.b.5, will be paid according to the FLPB Payment Table in paragraph 4.b.1. Payment for Category 5 is illustrated in paragraph 4.b.2.
4.b.1. FLPB Pay Table:
ILR Skill-Level Monthly Payment
1 $50.00
1+ $80.00
2 $100.00
2+ $200.00
3 $300.00
3+ $350.00
4 $400.00
4.b.2. Lump-sum Bonus:
ILR Skill-Level Annual FY Payment
2 $300.00
2+ $300.00
3 $300.00
3+ $300.00
4 $300.00
4.c. Per refs (d) and (g), FLPB may not exceed $1,000/month or $12,000/year per Marine. FLPB will be paid on a monthly basis and may be pro-rated to the day.
5. Administration.
5.a. Waivers and Exceptions to Policy.
5.a.1. Early Retest Waiver. In accordance with ref (j), the minimum time required between attempts per modality is 270 calendar days. Marines may request a waiver via Headquarters Marine Corps Foreign Language Program to retest early for a Significant Language Training Event (SLTE), pending deployment, or enrollment in a Marine Corps-sponsored school.
5.a.2. Score Extension Waiver. Marines may also request a waiver via the Marine Corps Foreign Language Program to extend their test scores past the expiration date for a SLTE, pending deployment, or enrollment in a Marine Corps-sponsored school. Marines will be expected to retest within 90 days following the conclusion of their training event or deployment.
5.a.3. Category 3 ETP Process.
5.a.3.a. Requests must reflect Marine Corps Total Force System data for language test dates, scores, and geographical location code data, and must include a Marine Corps Task List item from ref (i) that was supported. All periods of performance must be complete at the time of the request. Requests that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
5.a.3.b. Approval authority for these requests is the first O-5 in the Marine’s chain of command or, in the alternative, any personnel with by direction signature authority.
5.a.3.c. To initiate a request to receive FLPB by exception, visit: https:(slash)(slash)go.intelink.gov/FLP. A Common Access Card is required to access the site, and a User’s Guide is provided through a link directly below the widget. Organizations with administrative control of a Marine may submit requests for FLPB payment waivers on their behalf.
5.a.4. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command ETP for Dual-Modality OPI.
5.a.4.a. In order to support the MOS requirements prescribed in ref (c), an exception to OPI scoring policy is only applicable to Marines with MOS 0370 and 0372. Ref (e) authorizes this exception to Department of Defense Foreign Language Proficiency validation testing policy for the assignment of scores in two modalities on the OPI to meet service-specific requirements.
5.a.4.b. When scheduling an OPI for PMOS 0370/0372 Marines via the OPI Authorization Reporting System, Testing Control Officers (TCO) shall select "SOCOM" in the Reason Code. When selecting this Reason Code, TCOs will verify that the “Dual Modality” radial is automatically checked. Eligibility requirements for OPIs remain in effect in accordance with the current version of ref (f).
5.b. Per refs (c) and (d), Marines receiving FLPB must sign a Page 11 entry in their service record specifying the amount of proficiency bonus, the period for which the bonus will be paid, and the initial certification or recertification necessary for proficiency bonus payment. Individual commands are responsible for facilitating the written agreement and ensuring it is recorded as a Page 11 entry in the Marine’s Service Record Book or Officer Qualification Record.
5.c. Marines’ FLPB eligibility as a result of FY22 or FY23 guidance will continue until tests taken during those fiscal years expire. If a Marine tests prior to expiration of those scores, all payments based on FY22 or FY23 eligibility guidance will cease. Any subsequent FLPB determinations will be based on the most recent FY24 test scores.
6. Applicability. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
7. Direct all questions to the MARADMIN point of contact.
8. Release authorized by LtGen Mathew G. Glavy, Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//