Army Foreign Language Proficiency Pay/Project GO

[Jacobko75]

Hello,

I am struggling to find conclusive information on the Army's Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus Pay. Every document I read has a different list/ranking of languages.

So first question: Is German a language the the Army offers a bonus pay for if proficient in?

Second Question: Does Project GO require some level of proficiency prior to applying? Is it significantly more difficult (as in more understanding of the language) to secure a slot in the study abroad options?

Third Question: Would Project GO interfere with my pursuit of attending various schools such as airborne/air assault? If so, would attending these schools be more beneficially than attending Project GO? For reference I am pursuing either Aviation or Infantry.

Fourth Question: Is it plausible for a MS1 to secure a slot, or are they often reserved for upperclassmen?

Background: I am currently a MS1 under scholarship at my university, and have intended on pursuing a minor in German. However, I have just been introduced to Project GO, which would satisfy my degree's language requirements. German is not offered as one of the options for Project GO. Russian would be my next choice, and I know for a fact that it is a language the Army pays extra for and it is offered by Project GO. However I fear it will be much more difficult to learn Russian and I'd have to change my 104R to show my change in minors/future schedule. Small inconvenience, but still something to consider. For reference, I only speak English and have zero experience in German nor Russian.

Thank you in advance for your advice and experience.

 

[cb7893]

My experience is dated, but the first thing to know is that CLIP-B pays (paid) a stipend for being enrolled and passing foreign language classes. Google "US ARMY ROTC. CLIP-B" for an explanation and list of qualifying languages.

So first question: Is German a language the the Army offers a bonus pay for if proficient in?

FLPB pays for proven proficiency in a foreign language. I'm not sure what languages are on the list. My guess is German is not. I not sure if xROTC Cadets/Mids even qualify. They did at one time. I'm certain that it would take more than a couple of semesters to prove proficiency.

Second Question: Does Project GO require some level of proficiency prior to applying? Is it significantly more difficult (as in more understanding of the language) to secure a slot in the study abroad options?

No. There is a variety of language programs under Project GO. They are offered by a variety institutions with various requirements of proficiency. My son got a slot for Russian in Kazan, Russia at about the time things started going sideways with Russia. That program was cancelled and the group was sent to Kyiv instead. He self-taught and passed the entrance exam.

I believe that Project GO only offers programs in Strategic Languages of which German is not.

Third Question: Would Project GO interfere with my pursuit of attending various schools such as airborne/air assault? If so, would attending these schools be more beneficially than attending Project GO? For reference I am pursuing either Aviation or Infantry.

This is about the time you need to ask yourself, "What is important to me? What do I really want to do?" If Airborne/Air Assault sound cool, go for it. If developing language proficiency is important then do that. If either of those things would be important to your MOS, then the Army will give you the training you need.

Maybe your COC can give you insight into how your branch ascension would be affected by having one school vs another on your record.

Fourth Question: Is it plausible for a MS1 to secure a slot, or are they often reserved for upperclassmen?

IDNK

Background: I am currently a MS1 under scholarship at my university, and have intended on pursuing a minor in German. However, I have just been introduced to Project GO, which would satisfy my degree's language requirements. German is not offered as one of the options for Project GO. Russian would be my next choice, and I know for a fact that it is a language the Army pays extra for and it is offered by Project GO. However I fear it will be much more difficult to learn Russian and I'd have to change my 104R to show my change in minors/future schedule. Small inconvenience, but still something to consider. For reference, I only speak English and have zero experience in German nor Russian.

It is beginning to sound like you are most interested in getting a monthly stipend or qualifying for a study abroad and there is nothing wrong with that.

No foreign language is easy to learn and proficiency is very difficult to attain without some kind of immersion. German is easier that Russian, but whichever you choose, you have to be ready to study. To gain anything like proficiency or to minor in one of them would almost require it to become an extra curricular activity.

Which ever applies, Viel Glück! or Yдачи!

 

[WMTA]

This is the link my DS and I have used when we first researched this issue. It also has applicable links to the source on the dfas.mil site. This is for all branches, not just army. My DS is a 2nd year AFROTC Russian major/Spanish minor and is also dabbling in Arabic and Farsi on summer and winter breaks. He plans to apply to Project Go for this summer for Russian and possible for Arabic the following summer if possible. He'd love to graduate with proficiency in 3 foreign languages. He is already fluent in Spanish.

 

[Anonymous121]

Relevant link here.