R 211530Z OCT 24
MARADMIN 497/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC I/-/-//
SUBJ/FY25 MARINE CORPS FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS (FLPB) 
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:20240207//
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//
REF/K/MSGID:MEMO/OUSD PR/YMD:20240918//
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 MANUAL, NAVMC 1200.1K. 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. REF K IS THE UNDER 
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS MEMO AUTHORIZING AN
EXCEPTION TO POLICY TO REDUCE THE DLPT RETESTING WAITING PERIOD TO 
180 DAYS.//
POC/I. G. GEBHART/GYSGT/MCFLP, DC I/EMAIL: 
FOREIGNLANGUAGEPROGRAM@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. Per refs (a) and (b), this MARADMIN 
promulgates Marine Corps policy for the Foreign Language Proficiency
Bonus (FLPB) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and is effective 1 October 
2024. All FLPB eligibility is based upon the fiscal year the Marine
certifies their proficiency, e.g., a Marine who tested in FY24 
receives FLPB based on FY24 eligibility requirements, and 
eligibility does not change when FY25 begins.
2. Background.  
2.a. 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. 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 (k), the minimum time
required between attempts per modality is 180 calendar days. If no 
DLPT exists for a language or dialect, Marines may take the OPI to 
receive both a listening and speaking score.
4. FLPB Eligibility.
4.a. 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 4.a.1 but not per 4.a.2. The five 
FLPB eligibility categories are as follows:
Category 1: MOS Language Requirements.
Category 2: Host Nation Support Languages.
Category 3: Ad hoc Mission Support.
Category 4: Strategic Language Oral Fluency Initiative.
Category 5: Lump-Sum Bonus for Total Force Capabilities.
4.a.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 PMOS, and/or NMOS; 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 CUI MARADMIN addendum at: https://go.intelink.gov/FLP
4.a.2. Category 2: Host Nation Support Languages. To incentivize 
LREC 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://go.intelink.gov/FLP
4.a.3. Category 3: Ad hoc Mission Support. Marines who are deployed
or in direct support of contingency operations, MAGTF, or Combatant
Command requirements; assigned to Foreign Professional Military 
Education (FPME); or otherwise engaged with partner nation military 
and/or government personnel may request an Ad hoc FLPB payment 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 ad hoc requests 
are outlined in paragraph 6.a.3. and a template can be found on the
FLP SharePoint at: https://go.intelink.gov/FLP
4.a.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://go.intelink.gov/FLP
4.a.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 equivalent to one 
month’s worth of FLPB, per modality scored at ILR Skill level 2 or
higher, not to exceed $1000 month/$12,000 year, as listed in 
paragraph 5.b. Contingent upon inventory levels of capability  
awareness throughout the Force, the USMC reserves the right to 
remove eligibility for languages. 
4.a.5.a. The following language is not eligible to receive the 
lump-sum bonus: Spanish (SPA). Contingent upon inventory levels of 
capability awareness throughout the Force, the USMC reserves the 
right to remove eligibility for languages.
4.a.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 
2024. The Marine will be paid $600 for the month of September, $300
for the 3 in Listening, $200 for the 2+ in Reading, and $100 for the
2 in Speaking. The Marine will be eligible to test and be paid for 
Bulgarian again in September 2025 for the annual lump-sum bonus.
5.  Payment.
5.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 4.a.1)
 Category 2                 L/R/S                      2
 Category 3                 L/R/S                      2
 Category 4                   S                        3
 Category 5                 L/R/S                      2
5.b. Marines who are eligible to receive FLPB via Categories 1-4 in 
paragraphs 4.a.1-4.a.4, will be paid according to the FLPB Payment 
Table in paragraph 5.b.1. Payment for Category 5 is equivalent to 
one month’s worth of FLPB, as illustrated in paragraph 5.b.1. 
5.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
5.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.
6. Administration. 
6.a. Waivers, Ad hoc Requests, and Exceptions to Policy.
6.a.1. Early Retest Waiver. In accordance with ref (k), the minimum
time required between attempts per modality is 180 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.
6.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 60 days following the conclusion of their
training event or deployment.
6.a.3. Category 3 Ad hoc Request Process.
6.a.3.a. Requests must reflect Marine Corps Total Force System 
(MCTFS) data for language test dates, scores, and geographical 
location code data, and must include a Marine Corps Task List (MCTL)
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.
6.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.
6.a.3.c. To initiate a request to receive FLPB by exception, visit:
https://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.
6.a.4. MARSOC ETP for Dual-Modality OPI.
6.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 Military Occupational Specialty (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.
6.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 IAW the current version of ref (f).
6.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.
6.c. Marines’ FLPB eligibility as a result of FY23 or FY24 guidance
will continue until tests taken during those fiscal years expire. If
a Marine tests prior to those scores’ expiration, all payments based
on FY23 or FY24 eligibility guidance will cease. Any subsequent FLPB
determinations will be based on the most recent FY25 test scores.
7. Applicability. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps 
Total Force. 
8. Direct all questions to the MARADMIN POC.
9.  Release authorized by LtGen Melvin G. Carter, Headquarters 
Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.//