LEAP program grows with second selection board
Posted 10/25/2010
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by Kathryn Gustafson
Air Force Language, Region and Culture Program Office
10/25/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force Language and Culture Center officials added 260 participants from more than 400 active duty officer and cadet applicants to the Language Enabled Airman Program during their selection board in September, they said here Oct. 15.
The Air Force program has grown since its first board, when 192 U.S. Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets were selected to be among the first LEAP participants, they added.
"The program continues to see quality applicants interested in the career-long opportunity, as witnessed in the number of top USAFA and ROTC graduate applications we reviewed," said Lt. Col. Paul Valenzuela, chief of the Language, Region and Culture Program Office.
He explained that a long view LRC approach will better prepare Airmen to overcome LRC barriers.
"Our research has shown that 'just-in-time' methods do little to affect our strategic ability to respond to the dynamic nature of Air Force language, region and culture and building partnership capability challenges," said Lt. Col. Brian Smith, the AFCLC language department deputy director. "We hope to change that shortcoming with LEAP, by not only harvesting talent gained through existing language training pipelines but by placing LEAP participants into a career-long, deliberate development pipeline, enabling us to respond to current and emerging Air Force LRC requirements."
In today's global environment, the ability to communicate, negotiate, relate and establish credibility is critical to building partnerships and growing LRC capabilities, the colonel added.
According to the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, "Operating in partnership with host-nation security forces and among local populations puts a premium on foreign language skills and regional and cultural knowledge."
In accordance with the QDR, Air Force officials continue to enhance LRC capability through building partnerships and preparing Airmen with the skill sets to understand regional nuances that may be the difference between operational success and failure.
"If a speaker opens with a greeting in the wrong dialect, he or she may be inadvertently perceived to be an enemy," Air Force Senior Language Authority Jer Donald Get said.
The ability to differentiate between dialects gives an Airman credibility across regional borders, he asserted.
"We live in a global society, and it's important to communicate in the language of the host," said former Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortes, at a recent Spanish language education and resource network conference. "It's beyond understanding; it's about showing respect and connecting with people."
Milestones such as the Culture, Region and Language Flight Plan, establishment of the Air Force Culture and Language Center, LEAP, the updated Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus, the ROTC Foreign Language Skill Proficiency Bonus and foreign language proficiency recognition through promotion boards and award programs represent a number of ongoing initiatives associated with the enhancement of LRC capability.
"In addition to core advisor and expeditionary skills, LRC skills are crucial to enabling Airmen to assess, train, advise and assist partner nations in the development of their aviation resources, to meet national needs in support of U.S. interests," said Ken Arteaga, the Air Education and Training Command special missions division deputy chief.
LRC capability is a large contributor to winning today's fight, and it is through the Air Force's dedication to the enhancement of LRC that our Airmen are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed, he added.
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