Bill > HR3989

This bill seeks to enhance the United States' national security capabilities by focusing on language proficiency within the military. The legislation recognizes the critical importance of foreign language skills in military intelligence, particularly since the September 11 attacks revealed significant linguistic gaps. It mandates that the Secretary of Defense conduct annual assessments from 2025 to 2030 to improve recruitment strategies for the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), a premier institution for culturally based language education and training. These assessments will identify and track recruitment efforts in public and private secondary schools, documenting the number of recruits enrolled, challenges in recruiting qualified individuals, and developing recommendations for improving outreach. The bill emphasizes that despite technological advancements, person-to-person communication and cultural understanding remain crucial in military operations, diplomatic engagement, and national security strategy. Furthermore, it highlights the value of language skills in supporting intelligence gathering, facilitating communication with partner forces, and enabling informed decision-making in complex international environments. The assessments will be disaggregated by local educational agency and include plans from each military department to implement recruitment improvements, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of linguistically skilled personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3989/all-info