The Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) is designed and managed by the AFCLC. LEAP deliberately develops a core group of language enabled, cross-cultural Airmen across the General Purpose Force (GPF) with working level foreign language proficiency per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-4001, Air Force Language, Regional Expertise and Culture Program. With these skills, Airmen can better support the application of airpower through strengthening partnerships and interoperability.
Participation in LEAP is voluntary and available for Active Duty officer and enlisted Airmen & select Reserve officers. To become a LEAP scholar, Airmen must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language specified on the Air Force Strategic Language List, receive endorsement from their unit commander, and compete via a board process. Selection to LEAP is based on applicants’ existing language proficiency, potential to achieve higher levels of language proficiency, and Air Force language requirements.
LEAP develops and sustains Airmen via a two-part system of recurring online training and periodic immersions. Online eMentor courses are a LEAP requirement, and participants are encouraged to complete a course within the first 18 months of selection to the program. The hands-on immersion component - Language Intensive Training Events (LITEs) - is contingent upon participant availability and home station approval.
LEAP scholars may earn the LEAP Special Experience Identifier (SEI) upon meeting eligibility criteria which may qualify them for Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) pay and other language-related opportunities. The LEAP SEI is used by force managers to match Airmen with language dependent assignments, deployments, and TDYs, with roles that include international affairs, security cooperation, mobility advisory, and special operations. Other benefits to LEAP membership include access to social media, networking tools, and mentoring from senior LEAP scholars and Foreign Area Officers (FAO).
A. USAF officer candidate seniors commissioning in the current academic year (AFROTC/USAFA).
B. RegAF Active Duty (AD) Commissioned Officers (excluding 16F-Foreign Area Officers).
C. RegAF AD Enlisted Airmen (excluding 1N3, 1A8X1 career fields) with at least 48 months of time in service (TIS) as of 28 August 2019, rank of Senior Airman (SrA) through Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt), completion of all 5-Skill Level and Career Field and Education Training Plan (CFETP) requirements.
D. All applicants must not plan to separate within two years.
A. Applicants must possess a current Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) or Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score as of board. Scores of 3/3 or higher are valid for two years and 2+/2+ or lower are valid for one year from certification date. There are no minimum scores required to apply. See AFI 36-4002, Air Force Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus, for additional information regarding DLPT and OPI currency requirements.
C. Applicants that are officer candidates or commissioned officers are required to submit all collegiate academic transcripts and should demonstrate scholastic achievement. Enlisted applicants are encouraged to submit transcripts but not required.
D. Applicants with over 16 years total active federal military service will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
RegAF Active Duty and USAFA applicants must submit applications through the LEAP site, LEADeR, accessible through the Air Force Portal. You must be on an Air Force computer and have an Air University (AU) Portal account to begin your online LEAP application. Applicants that need to create or update their AU Portal account will be redirected to the AU Portal upon initial attempt to access the application site.
A. Applicants who meet all of the above eligibility requirements may submit an application to the AFCLC.
Completeness of the application package is part of the evaluation. All application forms should be portable document format (PDF), legible and correctly aligned.