FY26 Marine Corps Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) Eligibility Requirements

1.  Purpose.  Per refs (a) and (b), this MARADMIN promulgates
Marine Corps policy for the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus
(FLPB) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and is effective 1 October 2025.
All FLPB eligibility is based upon the fiscal year the Marine
certifies their proficiency, e.g., a Marine who tested in FY25
receives FLPB based on FY25 eligibility requirements, and
eligibility does not change when FY26 begins. 
2.  Background.  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 their 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://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/
hqmcintel/SitePages/Sub-Section.aspx?Sub-Section=FLP 
4.a.1.a.  Effective 1 October 2026 (FY 2027), the minimum
qualifying score for FLPB eligibility for PMOS 0370 and 0372
will increase from 1 to 1+ to align with DoDI 1340.27's intent
to increase foreign language proficiency standards.  Language
proficiency tests taken before 1 October 2026 will remain valid
and FLPB will be paid through their existing expiration date,
even if the score is below 1+.  For example, a test taken on
23 September 2026 with a score of 1 will continue to generate
FLPB until its expiration date or upon recertification, whichever
occurs first.  However, tests taken on or after 1 October 2026 must
score 1+ or higher to qualify for FLPB. 
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://intelshare.intelink.gov/
sites/hqmcintel/SitePages/Sub-Section.aspx?Sub-Section=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://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/hqmcintel/SitePages/
Sub-Section.aspx?Sub-Section=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://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/hqmcintel/
SitePages/Sub-Section.aspx?Sub-Section=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 2025.  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
2026 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://intelshare.intelink.gov/sites/hqmcintel/SitePages/
Sub-Section.aspx?Sub-Section=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 FY24 or FY25 guidance
will continue until tests taken during those fiscal years expire.
If a Marine tests prior to those scores' expiration, all payments
based on FY24 or FY25 eligibility guidance will cease. 
Any subsequent FLPB determinations will be based on the most recent
FY26 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  Lieutenant General M. G. Carter,
Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Commandant for Information.