Special Operations Forces Language and Culture Needs Assessment: Considering Language in the Promotion Process.

摘要

Providing Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators with opportunities for career advancement based on their language proficiency is one potential way to motivate them to acquire and maintain proficiency. This report describes opinions of SOF operators and leaders about whether language proficiency should be considered in the promotion process. SOF operators and leaders reported mixed opinions, with the largest percentage indicating that language should not be considered in the promotion process. The following issues need to be considered by decision-makers when considering including language proficiency as part of the SOF promotion policy: (1) prioritization of language proficiency in relation to other SOF skills, (2) consideration of impact on native versus non-native speakers, (3) consideration of language difficulty and language level, and (4) consideration of barriers that may interfere with acquisition and maintenance of language proficiency.