Sec. 364. Strategy and annual report on critical language proficiency of special operations forces
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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict shall submit to the congressional defense committees a five-year strategy to support the efforts of the Secretaries concerned to identify individuals who have proficiency in a critical language and to recruit and retain such individuals in the special operations forces of Armed Forces. The strategy under paragraph
(1)shall include the following: A baseline of foreign language proficiency requirements to be implemented within the special operations forces, disaggregated by Armed Force and by critical language. Annual recruitment targets for the number of candidates with demonstrated proficiency in a critical language to be selected for participation in the initial assessment and qualification programs of the special operations forces. A description of current and planned efforts of the Secretaries concerned and the Assistant Secretary to meet such annual recruitment targets. A description of any training programs used to enhance or maintain foreign language proficiency within the special operations forces, including any non-governmental programs used. An annual plan (for each of the five years covered by the strategy) to enhance and maintain foreign language proficiency within the special operations forces of each Armed Force. An annual plan (for each of the five years covered by the strategy) to retain members of the special operation forces of each Armed Force who have proficiency in a foreign language. A description of current and projected capabilities and activities that the Assistant Secretary determines are necessary to maintain proficiency in critical languages within the special operations forces. A plan to implement a training program for members of the special operations forces who serve in positions that the Assistant Secretary determines require proficiency in a critical language to support the Department of Defense in strategic competition. Not later than December 31, 2022, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2027, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the recruitment, training, and retention of members of the special operations forces who have proficiency in a critical language. Each report under paragraph
(1)shall include, with respect to the year for which the report is submitted, the following information: The number of candidates with demonstrated proficiency in a critical language who have been selected for participation in the initial assessment and qualification programs of the special operations forces, disaggregated by Armed Force of which the special operations force is a component. A description of any variance between the number specified in subparagraph
(A)and the recruitment target specified in the strategy under subsection (a)(2)(B) for the corresponding year, including a justification for any such variance. As compared to the total number of members of the special operations forces— the percentage of such members who have maintained proficiency in a critical language, disaggregated by Armed Force; the percentage of such members who are enrolled in a critical language training program, disaggregated by Armed Force and by critical language; and the average proficiency rating received by such members with respect to each critical language, disaggregated by Armed Force. As compared to the total number of members of the special operations force of each Armed Force who are assigned to a unit with the primary mission of advising foreign militaries— the percentage of such members who maintain proficiency in a foreign language relevant to such mission; and the percentage of such members who are enrolled in a foreign language training program relevant to such mission. As compared to the required baseline specified in the strategy under subsection (a)(2)(A), the percentage of members of the special operations force who have proficiency in a critical language, disaggregated by Armed Force and by critical language. A description of any gaps in foreign language training identified by the Assistant Secretary with respect to the special operations forces. In this section: The term critical language means a language identified by the Director of the National Security Education Program as critical to national security. The term proficiency means proficiency in a language, as assessed by the Defense Language Proficiency Test. The term Secretary concerned has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code. The term special operations forces means forces described under section 167(j) of title 10, United States Code.