language pay? qualifications and how to get them..?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 19:29:18 -0500

I speak Chinese (mandarin) fluently as a bilingual, I was told I could get language pay if I take the test and pass. But my MOS is not language-related, can I still do this? Would there be other opportunities without reclassing to language??

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 7:37 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 19:37:13 -0500

I’m not sure how things work in the Army, but, in the Navy, if you speak a foreign language you take a test and you get paid based on when they use you for translation/interpretation.

It used to be they would just pay you X amount per month, but people would learn a language like Spanish and take the Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French tests; therefore collecting money on four languages, three of which they don’t know or know very little of.

Mandarin is pretty high demand, though. Hopefully you get some more insight.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 14 at 2018 8:13 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:13:42 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member here is the wiki page for foreign language pay. don't know how accurate it is. i'll see what else I can dig up.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 14 at 2018 8:14 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:14:26 -0500

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Language_Proficiency_Pay

Foreign Language Proficiency Pay - Wikipedia

Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) is a special pay given to members of the United States Military who demonstrate proficiency in one or more foreign languages and is regulated by 37 United States Code Section 353(b) and DoD Instruction 1340.27. Military Foreign Language Skill Proficiency Bonuses. FLPB is one of the skill proficiency bonuses under 37 U.S.C. Section 353(b). Also, consult Chapter 19 of Volume 7A of the DoD Financial...

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 14 at 2018 8:14 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:14:35 -0500

https://www.militaryrates.com/military-pay-incentives-flpp

Military Foreign Language Proficiency Pay

Entitlement to Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP) is established for officers and enlisted members receiving basic pay and certified by the individual service secretary to be proficient in foreign language.

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 14 at 2018 8:15 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:15:20 -0500

https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/special-pay/foreign-language-proficiency-and-proficiency-bonus.html

Foreign Language Proficiency Pay / Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus

Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus is for officers and enlisted members certified as proficient in certain foreign languages.

Response by SSgt Alvar Lam made Nov 14 at 2018 10:41 PM

SSgt Alvar Lam — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 22:41:44 -0500

There are some short-staffed languages that will pay you no matter what (Chinese, Arabic) but other more prevalent languages (Korean, French, Spanish) that will only pay you if that language is related to your primary MOS/AFSC/whatever the Navy uses.

Source: I was previously a Korean Airborne Linguist

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 11:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 11:50:00 -0500

Your language would have to be on the Strategic list love languages for pay. Need for language it's not determined by its current threat, it's determined by how many language speakers of that type are in the army. The Army tries to maintain a certain percentage of various languages within its ranks. Here is the website with the list of strategic languages
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Foreign%20Language%20Proficiency%20Bonus

HRC Homepage

Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 AskHRC

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 3:00 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:00:34 -0500

My wife was a medic and was paid for her fluency in Korean, and then it dropped off of the list of needed languages. Now it is back on the list. Check out SrA John Monette's links. They are right on track. There is a language proficiency test that you will need to take. Go to the education center to request more information on when and where you can take the test. Pay varies by needs of the Army for your language. It can fluctuate. I do not believe that you will need a re-class. What is your MOS?

The Defense Language Proficiency Test (or DLPT) is a battery of foreign language tests produced by the Defense Language Institute and used by the United States Department of Defense (DoD).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 3:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:26:15 -0500

The first start would be to talk to your S3. There should be a CLPM (Command language Program Manager) there that will be able to answer most if not all questions. I am a CLPM currently working in S3. They can help put you into a class which could very lengths or if you are proficient you could ask to take the DLPT. You will be graded on reading, writing, and for some comprehension. There is no harm in trying to take the DLPT. The extra pay will be nice if you meet the minimum testing qualifications. As any kind of Analyst it can be beneficial to expand your wealth of knowledge and show your peers you are capable of going above and beyond. Good Luck!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2018 8:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 20:29:46 -0500

Here's the HRC page about getting pay. If your language isn't on pay list A or B, you won't get paid unless your MOS is language specific ir you are serving in a position that is coded for Mandarin. It is always good to take the DLPT as short notice requirements can come up and DA will search the database for soldiers wth particular language skills.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/16734

16734

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Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Nov 16 at 2018 2:00 PM

SFC Carlos Cruz — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:00:09 -0500

SPC Cherie if you have a taken that test as a 25B, you can request to be transfer to 1 SFG where you will be able to get pay. You always can also transfer to a unit that require your MOS with Language. Make sure you did take that test.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 17 at 2018 4:56 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 04:56:27 -0500

True - I did for German back when I was active. I learned it my first tour in Germany.
I did get stuck running around after Reforgers (both tours) assessing maneuver damage.
We slept in cloth-top jeeps in the Winters. Glad the Germans didn't own Greenland.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Feb 10 at 2019 3:32 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:32:45 -0500

I am not sure, i think you have to be in an MOS that requires this skill.