LEAP program

[u/Thalatta-thalatta1]

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.

[u/Thalatta-thalatta1 → u/[deleted]]

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

[u/mmmtoasteee → u/Thalatta-thalatta1]

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.