DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 7220.7H
N13F
8 Nov 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 7220.7H
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BONUS PROGRAM
Ref: (a) 37 U.S.C. §353
(b) DoD Instruction 1340.27 of 21 May 2013
(c) OPNAVINST 5200.37
Encl: (1) Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus Procedures
(2) Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus Criteria
(3) Extension of Certification
1. Purpose
a. To provide policy and establish procedures for the administration and payment of the
foreign language proficiency bonus (FLPB). This instruction serves as the fundamental
information source for Active Component (AC) and Reserve Component (RC) personnel
regarding FLPB and prescribes individual and command responsibilities relative to the program.
b. There are several major changes in this instruction revision.
(1) Introduces an explicit caution that the FLPB is a special pay, subject to change or
discontinuation, and, as such, should not be counted on as a consistent source of income.
(2) Provides greater detail on the FLPB administration and execution processes.
(3) Navy-established FLPB criteria are listed as possible practices vice standard policies
so Navy may employ these practices to shape language capacity, but retain the flexibility to
adjust the policy as necessary to support mission requirements.
c. This instruction has been revised substantially and should be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 7220.7G.
3. Background. The objective of the FLPB is to increase and maintain sufficient foreign
language and dialect capabilities in the Navy. Specifically, the FLPB:
a. encourages Sailors with foreign language and dialect proficiencies to test and identify
their proficiency levels;
