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:  [email protected]// 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.//