The Department of Defense (DoD) has determined that foreign language and regional expertise, as defined by reference (a)/ are critical enablers to the DoD mission. Traditionally, the majority of foreign language-coded billets have been in the intelligence and cryptologic fields and require a professional level of proficiency. Other foreign language-coded billets include Foreign Area Officers (FAOs), Joint and security cooperation billets, and billets in the Foreign Personnel Exchange Program. Per references (b) and (q), Marine Corps foreign language capability must expand outside of the traditional realm. Regional expertise and language capability are two foundations of the future Marine Corps operational employment concept. Cultural awareness and language capability will become critical enablers for mission accomplishment as Marine Corps units align to global regions.

The MCFLP objectives are two-fold: first, to increase availability of competent professional linguists to meet Marine Corps requirements; and second, to prepare every Marine, regardless of military occupational specialty (MOS), with the key enablers of regional expertise and language capability to meet the requirements of the Marine Corps' expeditionary operations.