There appears to be little literature available -- either descriptive or research-related -- on language testing in the military. This form of specific purposes assessment affects both military personnel and civilians working within the military structure in terms of posting, promotion and remuneration, and it could be argued that it has serious social consequences if not carried out professionally and to the highest standard. This article provides a general overview of the language testing that is carried out by military teams in Central and Eastern Europe, using the findings of three surveys conducted with teams in this region. It explores the design problems the teams have had to deal with, the political issues that influence the work they do, and the progress they have been able to make over recent years. The article concludes with an attempt to link these findings to broader issues in the assessment of English for Specific Purposes.