AF seeks language expertise

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley recently approved a survey to identify the foreign language capability inherent in the Air Force.

The purpose of the on-line survey is to allow officials to get a better understanding of the foreign language skills already in the force, so they can better determine the language skills that must be developed for tomorrow’s missions.

“An important lesson we continue to learn is that the ability to speak a foreign language is a critical war-fighting skill. We found that many Airmen have foreign language skills that have not been documented, so we are canvassing the force to more accurately determine our resident foreign language capability,” General Moseley said.

General Moseley has made completion of the survey mandatory for all enlisted members and for officers in the grades lieutenant colonel and below. The survey presents Airmen with a list of languages. Airmen are asked to identify which of those languages they have skills in, and to what degree they possess those skills.

If an Airman demonstrates sufficient skill in a language of strategic value to the Air Force, that Airman may be able to qualify for foreign language proficiency pay. This can raise an Airman’s pay by as much as $500 per month.

Airmen with skills in multiple strategic languages can earn as much as $1,000 per month. Airmen should contact their military personnel flight testing office to sign up to take a defense language proficiency test if they want to see if they are eligible for FLPP.

Each Airman should have received a link to the survey via e-mail. Survey officials encourage the recipient to access the survey using the link in the e-mail.