Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus is a monthly monetary incentive paid to eligible and qualified military personnel possessing foreign language proficiency. Afghanistan-Pakistan HANDS program participants are eligible for FLPB when they achieve a minimum proficiency score of 1/1 in accordance with AFI 36-4002, Air Force Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus Program, paragraph 4.7.

At completion of Phase I of the AFPAK HANDS program, HANDS are authorized FLPB at the enhancement rate for 1/1 proficiency or higher for the three languages in the AFPAK Hands Program:  Urdu, Dari or Persian-Afghan and Pushtu, Pashtu or Pashto. To receive sub-2/2 FLPB, Airmen must demonstrate annual improvement in any of the three modalities of listening, reading and/or speaking. 

Example: If an Airman is receiving FLPB at the 1/1 proficiency rate, the next year the Airman will be expected to achieve at least a 1+/1 or 1/1+ to maintain FLPB. The following year, the same Airman will need to achieve at least a 1+/1+ to continue to receive FLPB.

Normally, Airmen would contact a Military Testing Facility to arrange for initial and recertification testing. However, as a participant in the AFPAK HANDS program, your first Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) will be scheduled following graduation from Phase I language training. The Central Command AFPAK HAND Management Element works to schedule an annual OPI recertification in order for HANDS to maintain FLPB currency. Exceptions to the one-year rule exist for those who score a 3/3 proficiency every two years or those who are deployed during the one-year anniversary.

Find in-depth information on the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus on the FLPB page.