The U.S. government has a shortage of employees with foreign language skills that are critical to the ability to operate effectively in a global environment. Unfortunately, the shortages of skilled language personnel across these agencies are complicating government efforts in trade, peacekeeping, diplomacy, security and intelligence. These shortages stem from four major obstacles: limited talent pool, shortage of teachers of critical languages, security clearance requirements and procedures, and training. Priority should also be given to developing a government-wide assessment of needed language skills.