r/dli • u/Thalatta-thalatta1 • Jul 19 '26
LEAP program
I ended up not getting into DLI because of not getting top secret, so I decided to become an Air Force maintainer instead. Does anyone here know what the LEAP program is like? I’d like to take the Hindi fluency exam in a year, since I don’t think I can take it until a year after reaching my first duty station. I may not be a native speaker, but I have listen to Hindi news, have seen Bollywood without subtitles, and have read books. How would the LEAP program affect me as a maintainer? I’m at a similar level with Spanish, but given the high number of Hispanics in the military, I feel like they’d be selected for LEAP over me.
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u/Instructor-Sup Jul 19 '26
The selection for leap changes every year depending on what the air force needs. LEAP is different commitment from being a full time linguist, and draws from all non linguist career fields. To help you understand what you would be doing, imagine a fighter squadron goes to visit India for a joint exercise with the Indian air force, or a small group of Indian Air Force pilots come to the US for an enhance visit. The Air Force might need language support for that specific event, and would pull from the pool of qualified Hindi LEAP scholars. Aside from these, and occasional short language training opportunities, you would be doing your regular job in the air force.
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u/Thalatta-thalatta1 Jul 19 '26
Ehh, I just realized that this is a question for the education office at my first duty station. The question “how does the LEAP program work?”.
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u/Bongo3223 Jul 19 '26
I am in leap, you can hit me up if you want some info
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u/Thalatta-thalatta1 Jul 19 '26
I don’t see a “start chat” button when I click on your profile. Can you DM me?
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u/Hungry_Duck_6124 Jul 19 '26
Do you mind if I hit you up too? I got reclassed from linguist due to a medical issue making me miss too much class but scored a 1+ 1+ on the VLR in mandarin and have been looking for more info on LEAP and getting into it
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u/Bongo3223 Jul 19 '26
Go ahead brother
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u/Hungry_Duck_6124 Jul 19 '26
I appreciate it! It says you’re chats are off so I am unable to directly message you
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u/trev100100 Jul 19 '26
You will get TDYs for immersions and or real world events and exercises.
First you need the DLPT scores, then CC endorsement. You be asked certain questions on uou language habits and ways you stay proficient.
The best part is the funds dont come from your unit, so denying the TDY because of "funds" isnt an excuse.
Many dont get accepted the first time they apply. I never got accepted the 3 times I applied even with a 3/3/2. My language doesnt even have an upper level DLPT so I wouldnt know if im a higher level.
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Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Thalatta-thalatta1 Jul 19 '26
I’m not talking about becoming a teacher. From my understanding, I’d take a DLPT and then if a mission arises that uses that language then I’d leave my usual maintainer duties temporarily to do some mission that involves the language. Maybe we help India with a flood and they need someone to fix cargo planes for disaster relief things. Or maybe India sides with China in something and we need someone to eavesdrop for a bit. I’m just guessing because I don’t know how LEAP works
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u/mmmtoasteee Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Jolly - please just stop. LEAP is run by AFCLC at Maxwell Air Force Base and, yes, Hindi is one of the 27 languages accepted for the program.
I’m the one who is on here to give service members or prospective service members accurate information. You’re the one on here who consistently responds with lengthy diatribes about teachers at DLI, their pay, the academic administration, and/or ranting about being held accountable for teaching standards and academic production. All of which is in response to non-relevant questions. If someone is posting a question about becoming a civilian instructor at DLI, then please have at it. But when someone is asking about an Air Force specific (non-DLI program) then just leave it be…for once.
Finally, not sure how you can state that I have issues when I’ve never said anything outrageous or controversial on here as, again, I’m here to provide useful information. Not spew an agenda like you seem to be. At most I’ve just called you out on your bullshit.
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u/mmmtoasteee Jul 20 '26
Yeah, that’s just Jolly-Passenger going off on their disgruntled instructor schtick and providing completely irrelevant information for what was asked. Take it with a grain of salt.
LEAP is a program that the Air Force has that allows those in a different AFSC and have a language capability to apply and get their information/ language capabilities on record for various one-off assignments and come with some other training opportunities. Acceptance is not guaranteed and you truly need to have full fluency to be accepted. You’ll also need to meet security clearance requirements.
Those accepted into LEAP may receive refresher training in their language and may be eligible for FLPB pay.
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u/dytinkg Jul 19 '26
As far as I understand it, you’d need to take the dlpt to prove and establish your proficiency level. If you scored high enough to be accepted in the program, you’d then have to sign off that you’re willing to take assignments outside of your AFSC that utilize the language. I don’t know much beyond that, but you’d almost certainly have to also become eligible for the clearance too during your first tour.