Air Force Culture and Language Center accepting applications for fall LEAP board 7/18/2011 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) -- Active-duty officers, as well as graduating ROTC and Air Force Academy cadets, can apply now for the Air Force Culture and Language Center's Language Enabled Airman Program. The AFCLC, part of Air University's Spaatz Center for Officer Education here, is accepting applications for the fall 2011 LEAP board. Applications will be accepted now until Sept. 5, in preparation for the Sept. 14 and 15 LEAP selection board. LEAP is an Air Force-wide initiative designed to "grow the bench" of foreign-language capable Airmen to meet Air Force language requirements, said AFCLC Language Department director Jay Warwick. "LEAP is a career-long program designed to sustain and enhance 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," Warwick said. "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 participants receive weekly online instruction with a professional language instructor and participate in four- to six-week language intensive training events every two to three years. In addition, LEAP participants can reasonably expect to have a least one duty assignment designed to fill a language-coded billet during their Air Force careers, as well as other shorter-term taskings that require their skills, Warwick added. Applicants must be commissioned Air Force officers or cadets scheduled to graduate during the next academic year. In addition, applicants must also possess foreign language proficiency in at least one strategic language, have demonstrated scholastic achievement and have exceptional military performance. For LEAP application information and requirements, visit AFCLC's website at www.culture.af.edu/leap. For more information, e-mail afclc.pa@maxwell.af.mil, or call 334-953-7729.