MCBUL 7220 Announcing Revised MCO 7220.52 for the Marine Corps Foreign Language Bonus Program

1.  (U) Purpose.  This MCBUL announces the release of the revised Marine Corps Order for the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) Program, MCO 7220.52F, to include a summary of changes.<br>
2.  (U) Background.  Ref (a) establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the administration of FLPB pursuant to Section 353(b)(1) of Title 37, U.S.C..  Significant changes within ref (a) necessitated changes to ref (b).<br>
3.  (U) The following changes apply to ref (b):<br>
    A.  (U) The term Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP) has changed to Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB).<br>
    B.  (U) The term "Dominant in the Force" has been changed to "Prevalent in the Force" (page 3, paragraph 4b).<br>
    C.  (U) Eligibility requirements for "Prevalent in the Force" languages have been updated to reflect new policy guidance (page 3, paragraph 4b).<br>
    D.  (U) Intelligence Department's new address is (page 4, paragraph 4b(6)):<br>
Commandant of the Marine Corps (IOE)<br>
Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps<br>
3000 Marine Corps Pentagon<br>
Washington DC 20350-3000<br>
   E.  (U) The recertification requirement for Marines who achieve Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scores of 3 in two or more tested modalities on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) and/or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) has been extended from one year to two years.  Marines who fail to achieve ILR scores of 3 in two or more tested modalities on the DLPT and/or OPI will continue to recertify each year (page 4, paragraph 4c(1)).<br>
   F.  (U) In the case of languages or dialects where the DLPT only tests a single modality (i.e., Listening or Reading), Marines must also take an OPI to achieve the requirement for two modalities (reading and speaking or listening and speaking) to be paid FLPB (page 4, paragraph 4c(1)).<br>
   G.  (U) Pay table titles are changed from "Schedule A" to "Schedule 1, "and "Schedules B and C" are combined to form "Schedule 2," to correspond with ref (d) (page 6, paragraphs 4c(4)(a), 4c(4)(b)).<br>
   H.  (U) In accordance with ref (a), upon qualification for FLPB, a Marine must enter into a written agreement with the Marine Corps that specifies the amount of the proficiency bonus, the period for which the bonus will be paid, and the initial certification or recertification for payment of the proficiency bonus.  Commands will record this as a Page 11 entry in the Marine's Service Record Book or Officer Qualification Record using the format in enclosure (5), page 5-1 of the revised order.  The content of the Page 11 entry is as follows:<br>
        (1)  (U) ____________________. SNM scored a _/_ on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) and/or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) on YYYYMMDD, and is entitled to a monthly FLPB of $______ from YYYYMMDD to YYYYMMDD.  SNM understands that if he/she is separated from the Marine Corps before the aforementioned time period is complete, he/she will be required to reimburse the U.S. Government on a pro rata basis for the unserved portion of the active service requirement.  SNM further understands that this monthly FLPB will expire upon YYYYMMDD unless recertification is completed before then.  SNM understands that if this pay rate is based upon a combination of DLPT and OPI scores which did not occur within the same month, that this pay rate will cease based upon the oldest test expiration date.  Each installment payment shall be charged to appropriations that are available for obligation at the time such payment is payable, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for purposes of this agreement can be made.<br>
4.  (U) Points of contact.  Primary POC email at HQMC/IOE is:  hqmc_foreignlanguageprogram_opi(at)usmc.mil.  POCS at HQMC/IOE are John Durish, DSN 224-1484 (john.durish(at)usmc.mil) and MSgt Vincent Quinteros, DSN 224-1161, (vincent.quinteros(at)usmc.mil).<br>
5.  (U) Release authorized by BGen W.H. Seely III, Director of Intelligence, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps