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NCOER LPD

I created this PowerPoint to make people in my company/squadron better at writing NCOERs. It was featured on NCOSupport.com but in case you don't follow them on Facebook, I wanted to share it here.

It's a working document, and I'd love input. Some of the stuff is unit-dependent but most of it is picked straight from the regulation/DA PAM and includes a reference after the bullet point so it's not a "well someone told me so" sort of class.

Please let me know what you think, or feel free to see stuff you'd like to see added, or whatever.

Here is the link to download from NCOSupport:

http://www.ncosupport.com/files/NCOER_LPD.pptx

What happens if I fail the DLPT?

In the unfortunate event that you fail you DLPT, there is some ok news in store for you.

Per AR 11-6, para 5-6 (b):

Commanders will initiate action to withdraw the SQI “L” for enlisted Soldiers if the minimum proficiency standard in not met within 1 year from date of initial DLPT failure for a language difficulty category (LDC) I or II language and within 2 years for an LDC III or IV language.

There are a couple exceptions in the same paragraph:

1. For Soldiers who fail to meet the minimum proficiency standard but are given waivers to graduate from DLI, the remediation period will begin from the date of arrival at the first PCS assignment. Soldiers will have 1 year to achieve proficiency standards regardless of the LDC of the language (unless the Soldier meets the deployment exception, below). For example, for a Soldier in MOS 35P who graduated from DLIFLC failing to meet the minimum proficiency standard, the remediation period would begin the day of arrival at the PCS assignment. 

2. Soldiers who deploy during a remediation period have 1 year upon their return date to achieve the minimum proficiency standard regardless of the LDC of the language. 

However, as I stated in a previous post, you can re-certify in your language while deployed IF your DLPT comes up due WHILE deployed. If you want to read about that, click here.

Here is where issue is. As I discussed here , there are major changes coming to the Foreign Language Program. And you can lose your Linguist status soon if you don't stay compliant. If you want to see some ways to stay proficient on your own, click here.

Now when you fail, the Army is supposed to uphold ITS end of the bargain. The key is, your unit needs to have the money and your unit needs to actually care.

Per AR 11-6:

Commanders will ensure Soldiers who fail to meet the minimum proficiency standard are given remedial language training (a minimum of 150 hours of language training) and reevaluated with the DLPT, DLRPT, or OPI every 6 months.

MOS Requirements for 35P / DLAB Scores

Some of the most frequent questions I get about MOS 35P is "what is the minimum score on the DLAB", "Do I have to take the DLAB", or "can I get a waiver for a low DLAB score"?

The short answer to the question is this (Per the Army MOS Smartbook, August 2008):

The current and approved minimum DLAB score for accessions into this MOS at any given time will be reflected in the REQUEST program in accordance with the category of languages required and being recruited. If initial DLPT score is below L2-R2, the DLAB must be administered.

For the long(er) answer, keep reading:

Per AR 11-6 dated August 2009, the following DLAB scores are required per category:

a. Category I: 95 or higher. 

b. Category II: 100 or higher.

c. Category III: 105 or higher.

d. Category IV: 110 or higher.

Per the latest DLIFLC catalog:

• 95 for a Category I language (French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish)
• 100 for a Category II language (German)
• 105 for a Category III language (Hebrew, Hindi, Persian Farsi, Dari, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian/Croatian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Uzbek and Urdu)
• 110 for a Category IV language (Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Iraqi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Levantine, and Pashto)

So the long(est) answer is depending on what is currently needed, the 35P MOS might change per the needs of the Army. So the Army would require you to have a 105 on the DLAB if, for example, they only needed Persian-Farsi or would require 110 if they only needed Arabic linguists. If you only scored a 95, for example, and they needed Persian linguists, you wouldn't qualify for the MOS.

Need to learn more about improving or taking your DLAB for the first time? Click here.

Want to see the other MOS requirements for MOS 35P? Continue on...

Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS. The cryptologic linguist must possess the following qualifications:

(1) A physical demands rating of very heavy.

(2) A physical profile of 222121.

(3) Normal color vision.

(4) Qualifying scores.

(a) A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area ST on Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests administered prior to 2 January 2002.

(b) A minimum score of 92 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004.

(c) A minimum score of 91 in aptitude area ST on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.

(5) The Soldier must meet TOP SECRET (TS) Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access eligibility requirements to be awarded this MOS. For clearance requirements to attend training, refer to the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS). 

(6) Soldier is required to take a counterintelligence scope polygraph (CSP) prior to being awarded this MOS.

(7) A high school graduate or equivalent prior to entry onto active duty.

(8) Meet hearing acuity test standards per AR 40-501 (table 7-1).

(9) A qualifying score of 100 on the Audio Perception Test (APT).

(10) Demonstrate clear enunciation and comprehension of English and good Standard English grammar skills. Applicants who are not native-born citizens or who have not attended U.S. schools since the age of 6 must obtain a minimum score of 80 in reading and listening on the English Comprehension Level Test (ECLT) or American Course Language Placement Test (ACLPT). The Executive Agent for English is the Defense Language Institute English Language Center (DLIELC).

(11) Soldiers accessing into this MOS must have a minimum qualifying score on the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB) or a qualifying score of L2-R2 (listening-reading) on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) in a required and documented foreign language. The current and approved minimum DLAB score for accessions into this MOS at any given time will be reflected in the REQUEST program in accordance with the category of languages required and being recruited. If initial DLPT score is below L2-R2, the DLAB must be administered.

(12) Never been a member of the U.S. Peace Corps, except as specified in AR 614-200 (para 3-2).

(13) No information in military personnel, Provost Marshal, intelligence, or medical records that would prevent the granting of a security eligibility under AR 380-67 (para 3.401.a).

(14) No record of conviction by court-martial.

(15) No record of conviction by a civil court for any offense other than minor traffic violations.

(16) Must be a U.S. citizen.

(17) Soldier and spouse must not have immediate family members who reside in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be common practice, either against-

(a) Persons accused of or acting in the interest of the U.S. or

(b) The relatives of such persons to whom they may reasonably be considered to be bound by ties of affection, kinship, or obligation. Immediate family for both Soldier and spouse includes both blood and step-: parents, spouse, children, sisters, brothers, any sole living blood relative, or a person in loco parentis per AR 600-8-10.

(18) Have neither commercial nor vested interest in a country within whose boundaries physical or mental coercion is known to be a common practice against persons acting in the interests of the U.S. This requirement applies to the Soldier's spouse as well.

(19) Meet career management and development criteria contained in AR 614-200 and DA Pam 351-4.

(20) MOS closed for reclassification to Soldiers who have been deemed permanently nondeployable

in accordance with AR 614-30, AR 40-501, AR 220-1 and AR 600-8-101. Soldiers must meet the minimum criteria for retainability stated in AR 600-60, paragraph 4-2(b) and befully deployable to all locations and echelons.

(21) MOS closed for reclassification at SFC, MSG and SGM, except for those Soldiers within CMF 35.

Set up a CaC on your computer (Windows, Mac, or iOS)

Many of the links and information provided on this blog require that you have a CaC reader installed on your computer. Whether this is to sign a form to submit to your commander to take the DLAB/DLPT, log in to view MILPER messages, or simply check your email in AKO or Outlook Web Access, you need a CaC.

This is the best website I have found that shows you how to set it up on your computer: www.militarycac.com

Additionally, I have recently discovered that Thursby Software makes an iOS CaC reader! I am now up and running with my CaC on my iPad and iPhone.

http://www.thursby.com/products/pkard-reader

Army NCO Support

Hey, linguists are NCOs too, right?

Fortunately (or unfortunately) we have duties not just as linguists, but as NCOs as well.

ncosupport.com as well as their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/armyncosupport) are dedicated to helping NCOs network, share information, and solve problems together.

Stay Army - www.armyreenlistment.com

For all re-enlistment related questions, please see www.armyreenlistment.com.

Also visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyReenlistment

Frequently here at AAL I get questions that need to be specifically directed to a Career Counselor regarding re-enlistment etc. Honestly I am fairly versed at re-enlistment related questions, but at the end of the day, a 79S is much better suited to answering your question.

Sign the White House Petition to Veto the Bill Reducing Military Retirees' COLA

The petition can be found here, and we need your signature:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/veto-ryanmurray-budget-proposal-cuts-retired-military-pension-cola-1-below-inflation-rate/l4RctYlH

Here is the basic premise:

Veto the Ryan/Murray budget proposal that cuts retired military pension COLA to 1% below the inflation rate.

The Ryan/Murray budget deal cuts the military retirement pension COLA to 1% below the inflation rate. This is an inexuseable breach of contract with the military men and women who have served this country valiantly in two wars. The very idea that Congress seeks to cut military retirement pay by up to 24% while our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are still fighting and dying in Afghanistan is beyond contemptible. Military retirees have risked their lives, sacrificed normal family life, and given their prime earning years to defend this nation. One of the primary motivators for military members to spend an entire career in the military is the promise of a retirement benefit that cannot be made worthless by inflation. The Ryan/Murray proposal breaks that promise.

Share your experiences on receiving language training/refresher in your unit

Since becoming a linguist in 2004-2005 I have received three major refresher training events. These events were the ONLY events I have received major OR minor, despite the fact that it is directed by AR 11-6 to have a language program in a unit. Some of that has been the fault of my unit, and some has been language has been *somewhat* made available to me, but mission always takes precedence so leaving my platoon was not always feasible even if it was presented (which again I guess goes back on the unit for not MAKING time).

The three events I received were five weeks of refresher training at Fort Gordon, Fort Meade, and Garmisch, Germany.

It is especially difficult to get in as a 35M as many of these schools only accept 35P and you need a waiver or to convince the registrar to let you in (or your CLPM must do the convincing).

You also need to have a valid DLPT in most instances, so if you are expired or so far low (like if you are a 0+/0+) you normally cannot get in either.

What successes or failures have you had in your units in getting a successful language program started? Usually I've found the biggest hindrance to be money and budget. It costs quite a bit to send someone to language refresher.

One option for you is to ask your unit if you can go to PLTCE in Garmisch (assuming they teach your language). The reason is, it's actually cheaper than going to refresher CONUS (although they won't believe you when you tell them that, they will think you are just trying to "get over" by going to Germany). Why? Because you a) aren't authorized a rental car, b) stay in the barracks, c) eat at the chow hall so no per diem. The only cost to the unit is the cost of the actual class plus airfare and a pittance of per diem (I think I only go $6/day). Usually at a place like Meade you would be paying around a grand for a rental car, plus air fare, plus over $100/day for a hotel and about 40-60 per day for food. So in comparison, I think my trip to Garmisch cost about 1/8 of what it cost to send me to Meade, if not even less.

Language Difficulty Categories / Minimum DLAB Scores

Here are the language difficulty categories IAW DLI policy (the higher the code, the more difficult the language is to learn):

Language Difficulty Category (LDC) Languages (from DLI):

- LDC I: French (FR), Italian (JT), Spanish (QB), Portuguese (PY)
- LDC II: German (GM), Indonesian (JN)
- LDC III: Hebrew (HE), Hindi (HJ), Kurdish (KU), Persian-Farsi (PF), Persian-Dari (PG), Russian (RU), Serbo-Croatian (SC), Tagalog (TA), Thai (TH), Turkish (TU), Urdu (UR), Uzbek (UX)
- LDC IV: Arabic (AZ*), Chinese-Mandarin (CM), Korean (KP), Japanese (JA), Poshtu (PU, PV) AZ* includes all Arabic dialects

Per AR 11-6 dated August 2009, the following DLAB scores are required per category:

a. Category I: 95 or higher. 

b. Category II: 100 or higher.

c. Category III: 105 or higher.

d. Category IV: 110 or higher.

For MOS requirements for 35P, click here.

Major Changes Coming to Foreign Language Pay/Certification

The language branch and the Department of the Army has essentially said that whereas before if you didn't pass your DLPT you were not severely penalized, they are beginning to enforce the standard. If you are MOS 35P or DLI-trained linguist, you will be required to also put your DLPT scores on your NCOER.

The issue that I have with it is this, and I am still trying to get clarification from the language branch:

I have failed the DLPT before and the Army has failed to uphold THEIR end of the regulation (providing language training per AR 11-6). So what forces the Army to uphold their end? For example, why should I get a negative on my NCOER for "failing to uphold my end" when the Army doesn't get punished as well?

I will let you know if I hear anything new. In the mean time, here is the information that the Office of the Chief, Military Intelligence has put out on this subject (PS - the OCMI is on board and in agreement with what I said about forcing the Army to do their part in the training):

***

The purpose of this presentation is to look at ALARACT 209/2012 paragraph-by-paragraph, compare them along with relevant sections of AR 11-6, and add amplifying data to better explain the language proficiency requirements and what it means for 35P Soldiers.

• ALARACT 209/2012 was released in August 2012 with an effective date 18 months after publication (February 2014)
• This will reinstate language proficiency standards as described in AR 11-6 (The Army Foreign Language Program) for all language-dependant MOSs

2. Beginning 18 months from the effective date of this ALARACT the provisions of paragraphs 1-22.G, AR 11-6, that address language proficiency in evaluation reports will no longer be waived. Commanders of deployed units may waive these provisions for 18 months after the unit returns from deployment if the area of deployment does not enable the use of the Soldier's control or primary language.

AR 11-6 Paragraph 1-22.g
g. Screen and verify that current language proficiency is addressed on Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports and Officer Evaluation Reports for language dependent MOSs.

MEANING: Effective February 2014, any enlisted member or officer holding a language dependent MOS MUST have their current language proficiency on their evaluation reports, regardless of if the DLPT was taken during the current evaluation period or previous period.

AR 11-6 defines language dependent MOS as the following:
- ENLISTED: 35P and 09L (para 7-1.a)
- OFFICER: 352P, FA 48 series (para 7-2.c)

3. Beginning 18 months from the effective date of this ALARACT the provisions of Paragraph 5-6, AR 11-6, requiring the reclassification or separation of Soldiers in a language dependent MOS (IAW AR 11-6 Para 7-1) who fail to maintain the Army's minimum language proficiency standard and the removal of SQI “L" will no longer be waived. Commanders of deployed units may waive these provisions for 18 months after the unit returns from deployment if the area of deployment does not enable the use of the Soldier's control or primary language.

AR 11-6 Paragraph 5-6.a.(2)
(2) Unit commanders will counsel Soldiers in language required positions or language dependent MOS who fail to meet the minimum standard on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT), (Defense Language Reading Proficiency Test (DLRPT), or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) for their CLANG/primary language or who willingly allow their annual evaluation to expire and have not tested. The counseling will specifically detail the Soldier’s remediation and re-evaluation timeline and the procedures for reclassification or initiation of separation paperwork if the Soldier continues to fall below the Army standard. Solders assigned to a language-coded billet that are not language qualified AND were never trained at government expense are exempt from this provision.
(a) Commanders WILL ensure Soldiers who fail to meet the minimum proficiency standard are given remedial language training (a minimum of 150 hours of language training) and reevaluated with the DLPT, DLRPT, or OPI every 6 months. (SEE ALARACT PARA 4)
(b) Commanders will initiate action to withdraw the SQI “L” for enlisted Soldiers if the minimum proficiency standard is not met within 1 year from date of initial DLPT failure for a language difficulty category (LDC) I or II language and within 2 years for an LDC III or IV language.

AR 11-6 Paragraph 5-6.a.(2).(f).
(f) In accordance with paragraph 9–2 of this regulation, Soldiers in language dependent MOS who do not achieve minimum linguist proficiency standards AND have completed the remediation period are NOT MOS QUALIFIED. In accordance with AR 600–8–19, non-MOS qualified Soldiers cannot go before a promotion board. If already on the promotion list, the Soldier’s unit will initiate action to remove the Soldier from the promotion list. Waiver of the 2/2 requirement for AA linguists may be granted by AHRC (AHRC-EPL-M for enlisted Soldiers and AHRC-OPW-D for warrant officers). Waivers for RC linguists are submitted through the chain of command to the appropriate waiver authority.

Language Difficulty Category (LDC) Languages (from DLI):
- LDC I: French (FR), Italian (JT), Spanish (QB), Portuguese (PY)
- LDC II: German (GM), Indonesian (JN)
- LDC III: Hebrew (HE), Hindi (HJ), Kurdish (KU), Persian-Farsi (PF), Persian-Dari (PG), Russian (RU), Serbo-Croatian (SC), Tagalog (TA), Thai (TH), Turkish (TU), Urdu (UR), Uzbek (UX)
- LDC IV: Arabic (AZ*), Chinese-Mandarin (CM), Korean (KP), Japanese (JA), Poshtu (PU, PV) AZ* includes all Arabic dialects

4. Soldiers in a language dependent MOS (I.A.W. AR 11-6 Para 7-1) who fail to maintain the Army's minimum language proficiency standard are REQUIRED to attend remedial language training IAW Paragraph 5-6, AR 11-6. There is no limit to the amount of time a Soldier may be required to attend remedial language training.

AR 11-6 Paragraph 5-6.a.(2).(a)
(a) Commanders WILL ensure Soldiers who fail to meet the minimum proficiency standard are given remedial language training (a minimum of 150 hours of language training) and reevaluated with the DLPT, DLRPT, or OPI every 6 months.

Re-testing on DLPT, DLRPT, or OPI prior to 6 months (AR 11-6 Para 5-7.a): a. Individuals who have completed significant training programs (minimum of 150 hours of training) may be retested in less than 6 months from the last test date as an exception to policy. Exceptions for DLPT, DLRPT, or OPI retesting must be submitted for approval to the Commander, AHRC (AHRC–PDE). If approved for retesting, 6 calendar months must elapse before any subsequent test. Two-week language refresher courses do not meet the requirements for an exception to policy to retest within the 6 month time period.

Note: Soldiers may only take a DLPT 2 times (twice) with a 12 month period IAW DoD policy

AR 11-6 Paragraph 5-6.a.(2).(g)
(g) There is no limit to the number of times a Soldier may undergo remediation training.

5. Provisions of this ALARACT are deferred for 48 months from the ALARACT's effective date for Army National Guard Soldiers holding MOS 35P who received a temporary deferment of their language requirement based on Office of the Chief Military Intelligence memorandums dated 23 APR 08 (Subject: Request for temporary waiver (deferment) of MOS 35P language training for ARNG Soldiers) and 12 OCT 10 (Subject: Temporary waiver (deferment) of MOS 35P language training requirement for ARNG Soldiers in specified units).

MEANING: Only Soldiers who received one of these two exception to policy memorandums will have their language proficiency requirements deferred for 48 months (August 2016).