Leap Day springboards LEAP program Published Feb. 29, 2012 By the Air Force Language, Region and Culture program office MAXWELL AFB, Ala. -- As the world recognizes Leap Day today, the Air Force also celebrates LEAP Day for the Air Force's Language Enabled Airman Program. LEAP is managed by the Air Force Culture and Language Center, part of Air University's Spaatz Center at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The program provides the Air Force with a group of language-enabled Airmen in a variety of Air Force specialties. "LEAP is a career-long program designed to enhance and sustain language and cross-cultural skills, with the end goal of producing a language speaker who can perform their core job duties in their respective foreign language," said Jay Warwick, the AFCLC deputy director. "Commanders have a need for cross-culturally competent Airmen - individuals with language, cultural and regional abilities - to help them accomplish their missions. LEAP is one way we help provide that." LEAP Airmen participate in four to six-week Language Intensive Training Events every three to four years, and receive weekly online instruction with a professional language instructor. In addition, LEAP participants can reasonably expect to have at least one duty assignment designed to fill a language-related billet during their Air Force careers. They can also expect other shorter-term assignments that require their skills, Warwick added. Airmen interested in LEAP are encouraged to apply. Dates and requirements will be announced on the AFCLC's public web site at www.culture.af.mil/LEAP and on the private website at https://wwwmil.maxwell.af.mil/afclc/lang/leap.html.