Foreign Language Proficiency Pay

Foreign Language Proficiency Pay 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 Army Regulation 611-6. Foreign Language Proficiency Pay is sometimes abbreviated as FLPP or FLP Pay; it is usually pronounced "Flip Pay." By receiving FLPP, a member agrees that they are available wherever and whenever they are needed by the military for the purpose of their language skills.

Payment

FLPP is paid on a monthly basis. The amount of pay varies based on the category (payment list) of the language, the level of demonstrated proficiency, and possibly the member's occupation (MOS). The lowest payment is $50 per month. By law, the services are authorized to pay up to $1,000 per month per member for FLPP. However, the individual services are each making their own plans for implementation. They are also authorized to pay out an annual lump sum (max $12,000) instead of monthly payments, but not required.

National Guard Service Members who are mobilized must be coded for FLPP on a monthly basis through their home state USPFO office.

Eligible Languages and Ratings

Eligible languages are updated annually in a memo put out by U.S. government. These languages are listed on the Strategic Languages List (SLL) and categorized by payment list A (Immediate Investment languages), payment list B (SLL Stronghold languages), and payment list C. [MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 06-233, AHRC-PLP-I, FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY PAY (FLPP) REVISION Issued: [08/23/2006] ] Languages that are considered "dominant in the force" are not eligible for FLPP unless the servicemember is in a linguist-position job (as with French, Spanish, Portuguese - Brazilian and Portuguese, Russian, and Tagalog). German is not listed at all. [MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 07-137, AHRC-PLP-I, FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY PAY(FLPP)CHANGES Issued: [05/31/2007] ] Many other languages are eligible for FLPP regardless of the member's job or language use in their job.

Demonstrated Proficiency

Proficiency is demonstrated via the DLPT. Typically, a score of 2/2 (2 in listening and a 2 in reading) is the minimum to receive the payment. The member must retest each year to continue receiving the payment.

To be paid FLPP a service member's orders must state the soldier's eligibility for this entitlement.

References

See also

* United States Military Pay
* DLPT
* Defense Language Institute