Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- The Air Force offers many unique programs of which its members can take advantage. It’s often just a matter of choosing the program that is right for you.
Capt. Laura Jones, 47th Student Squadron assistant flight commander did just that when she chose to join the Language Enabled Airman Program in 2014.
LEAP is designed to develop, sustain, enhance and utilize the existing language skills and talents of a core group of general-purpose force Airmen who possess the capability to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
For Jones, that foreign language is French - a language she studied in high school, at the Air Force Academy and at the French Air Force Academy, l’Ecole de l’Air, where she spent a semester.
“I knew learning and speaking French was something I enjoyed and wanted to stay with as long as possible,” said Jones.
By staying proficient in French, Jones has participated in “unique temporary duty assignment opportunities through the program.”
“While I was deployed to Djibouti, I used my language skills daily as a liaison officer to French Forces, and have been TDY for a month to the U.S. Embassy in Paris, working in the Office of Defense Cooperation.” Jones explained.
She typically receives emails regarding French-speaking volunteers once months, for short notice TDYs.
Jones strongly recommended the program by saying: “Not only does LEAP offer members of all career fields the opportunity to develop themselves and their language skills through unique courses and TDYs, it also provides support to the Air Force by providing a large pool of Airmen who are available to augment critical missions.”
“Having a second language has opened up doors that would have never be an option otherwise,” said Jones.
To see what unique opportunities LEAP can provide you, contact the education office at 298-5520.