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December 2011
Defense Language Training Program Needs Improvement
According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, boosting the
effectiveness of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps' language and culture training
programs requires better documentation of the programs' outcomes. The study
is a follow-up to earlier GAO reports published in June 2009 and May 2011when
the agency recommended that the Department of Defense (DoD) create a
strategic plan for language training programs. The current review found that
because the services do not track completed language training and proficiency
results, they do not have what is needed to effectively use the language and
culture skills of its forces. GAO says it is the DoD’s responsibility to identify
soldiers and marines who require follow-up training, establish the amount of
additional training required, and guarantee that the training takes place. The
agency reported that the services’ Digital Training Management System needs
to have defined, uniform data fields to record language learning tasks. The
system should also be updated for all soldiers who have already completed
training. The GAO report states that DoD must designate which training system
the Marine Corps will use to document language/cultural training completion,
and formal testing should be administered to the marines after training to
ensure fluency. Laura Junor, deputy assistant secretary of Defense, said that
the Department acknowledges many of the problems noted by GAO. She noted
that DoD will examine ways to capitalize on the training provided to troops pre-
deployment. She added that the Department’s goal continues to be building,
enhancing, and sustaining a military force with a mix of language skills, regional
expertise, and cultural capabilities that can meet existing and emerging needs.
However, according to Junor, the DoD did not agree with all the GAO
recommendations. She stated that the Marine Corps language training
program was not designed to produce measurable results but to provide the
skills needed to accomplish its missions. The Corps assesses language
proficiency through mission rehearsal exercises.
From "Defense Language Training Program Needs Improvement, GAO Says",
GovExec.com (DC) (11/01/11) Fairchild, Caitlin
Defense Language Training Program Needs Improvement
According to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, boosting the
effectiveness of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps' language and culture training
programs requires better documentation of the programs' outcomes. The study
is a follow-up to earlier GAO reports published in June 2009 and May 2011when
the agency recommended that the Department of Defense (DoD) create a
strategic plan for language training programs. The current review found that
because the services do not track completed language training and proficiency
results, they do not have what is needed to effectively use the language and
culture skills of its forces. GAO says it is the DoD’s responsibility to identify
soldiers and marines who require follow-up training, establish the amount of
additional training required, and guarantee that the training takes place. The
agency reported that the services’ Digital Training Management System needs
to have defined, uniform data fields to record language learning tasks. The
system should also be updated for all soldiers who have already completed
training. The GAO report states that DoD must designate which training system
the Marine Corps will use to document language/cultural training completion,
and formal testing should be administered to the marines after training to
ensure fluency. Laura Junor, deputy assistant secretary of Defense, said that
the Department acknowledges many of the problems noted by GAO. She noted
that DoD will examine ways to capitalize on the training provided to troops pre-
deployment. She added that the Department’s goal continues to be building,
enhancing, and sustaining a military force with a mix of language skills, regional
expertise, and cultural capabilities that can meet existing and emerging needs.
However, according to Junor, the DoD did not agree with all the GAO
recommendations. She stated that the Marine Corps language training
program was not designed to produce measurable results but to provide the
skills needed to accomplish its missions. The Corps assesses language
proficiency through mission rehearsal exercises.
From "Defense Language Training Program Needs Improvement, GAO Says",
GovExec.com (DC) (11/01/11) Fairchild, Caitlin
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