H.R. 3989: Fluent Forces Act

The Fluent Forces Act is a bill aimed at improving language proficiency within the U.S. Armed Forces to enhance national security. It seeks to ensure that military personnel have the necessary language skills to communicate effectively and engage in various operations globally. The bill recognizes the importance of language proficiency for military intelligence and operations, especially following the insights gained from historical events like the September 11 attacks, which revealed the need for more qualified linguists in the military.

Key Components of the Bill

• Recognition of Language Importance: The bill underscores the role of language skills in successful foreign policy and military strategy, citing the need for effective communication with allied forces and local populations.
• Annual Assessments: The Secretary of Defense is mandated to provide an annual report until 2030 that evaluates the recruiting methods aimed at increasing attendance at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). These reports will assess the effectiveness of current strategies and suggest improvements to enhance language training recruitment.
• Recruitment Challenges: The assessments will identify obstacles faced by recruiters when engaging with public and private secondary schools, including access issues, relationship-building challenges, and methods to improve follow-up with interested students.
• Recommendations for Improvement: The bill includes directives for recommendations on new recruitment strategies and methods to document successful engagement with schools to promote language-focused careers in the military.
• Measurable Progress: The Secretary of Defense must also provide benchmarks for assessing progress in initiatives aimed at recruiting language-qualified personnel, ensuring transparency in efforts to boost language training.

Definitions and Terminology

Throughout the bill, specific terms such as "local educational agency" and "secondary school" are defined according to the standards set in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, ensuring clarity in discussions about educational institutions involved in the recruitment process.

Overall Purpose

The overall intention of the Fluent Forces Act is to cultivate a workforce within the military that is equipped with essential language and cultural skills, thereby improving the readiness and effectiveness of the Armed Forces in carrying out their duties in diverse environments.

Relevant Companies

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