THE PRINCIPLE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT OPERATE IN FIELDS REQUIRING FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCIES, THE U.S. MILITARY SERVICES AND SOME PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS, WERE SURVEYED TO DETERMINE THEIR OPERATING POLICIES THAT RELATE TO PERSONNEL WITH FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS. THE AGENCIES THAT HAVE THE GREATEST NEED FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES ARE THOSE PROVIDING TRANSLATIONS AND INTERPRETERS FOR CONFERENCES AND FOR FOREIGN VISITOR ESCORT DUTY. AMERICAN ACTIVITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAT REQUIRE PERSONNEL WITH LANGUAGES SKILLS INCLUDE SUCH FUNCTIONS AS DIPLOMATIC AND COUNSULAR SERVICES, FOREIGN INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS. THE POLICIES REVIEWED COVER THOSE RELATED TO (1) RECRUITMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPEAKING PERSONNEL, (2) METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AND EVALUATING THE LEVEL OF LANGUAGE SKILLS, (3) PROVISIONS FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL WHO POSSESS OTHER ESSENTIAL SKILLS, (4) PROVISIONS FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING OF FAMILY MEMBERS, (5) OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT POLICIES, AND (6) THE KINDS OF RECORDS KEPT IN RELATION TO LANGUAGE SKILLS. THE AGENCIES SURVEYED INCLUDED THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE DIVISION OF LANGUAGE SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ADMINISTRATION, THE UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND A NUMBER OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING RAND CORPORATION AND THE ASIA FOUNDATION. (AL)