DODI 5160.70 - Management of the Defense Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) Program

Scope

DODI 5160.70 establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for managing the Defense Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) Program. The instruction reissues and cancels the 2007 LREC instruction. The instruction adds regional expertise and culture as mission-critical competencies of the LREC Program and establishes initial culture learning guidelines. The instruction operates under DoD Directives 5142.02 and 5160.41E.

Audience

DoD Component Heads. Service language program managers. Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) and Marine Corps language program managers. S-1 officers and IPAC pay clerks processing Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) transactions. Marines with language proficiency, regional expertise, or culture training requirements.

Content scope

• Defense LREC Program management and oversight.
• Language proficiency testing framework (DLPT and OPI).
• Strategic-language designation process driving FLPB eligibility.
• Regional expertise and culture (REC) competencies.
• Component-level Service responsibilities for language programs.
• Reporting and assessment requirements.

Operative content

Portal usage evidenced in the repo, drawn from the admin FLPB sub-page.

• The DoD strategic-language list and tier structure under this instruction govern FLPB eligibility. Only languages on the strategic list draw FLPB.
• The Marine Corps language program manager at HQMC sets the strategic-language tier rates per this instruction.
• FLPB applies to Marines holding DLPT proficiency in DoD strategic languages at qualifying levels, typically 2/2 Listening/Reading on DLPT5 or higher, per DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapter 19.
• Annual re-testing maintains the pay. The S-1 chief tracks DLPT scores and the 12-month re-testing window. The IPAC pay clerk cuts FLPB transactions per Vol 7A Chapter 19 and MCTFSPRIUM.

Connection to higher policy

• DoD Directives 5142.02 and 5160.41E. Parent directives for the LREC Program.
• 37 U.S.C. 305a. Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus statutory authority.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• DoDFMR Vol 7A Chapter 19 (FLPB). FLPB pay framework cross-references the LREC Program strategic-language designations.
• Marine Corps Language Strategic Plan. Marine Corps-specific language program implementation.
• Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). DLPT testing facility.

Status

Active. Effective 30 December 2016. The instruction is the current DoD-level LREC Program authority.