MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- “I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where I learned the language and lived immersed in the culture. I continued to enhance my Spanish language skills through education and now have a Master’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature.
“I am currently the Section Commander for the Headquarters Space Operations Command in Colorado Springs. Before this job, I spent four years teaching Spanish and Latin American culture at the Air Force Academy.
“Before the Language Enabled Airman Program started, I already had the opportunity to deploy to South America—to Uruguay and Colombia—and use my language and cultural skills to enhance our missions abroad. Those were such wonderful and fulfilling experiences, so it was a no-brainer when the initial call came out to recruit Airmen into LEAP.
“Once I became part of the program, the Air Force sent me to Colombia again and to the Air Force Academy to teach a few years later. I have also been able to complete two eMentor courses through LEAP.
“More recently, I had the great opportunity to participate in the Belt & Road Initiative, a Language Intensive Training Event held at Maxwell AFB, in the Air University Teaching and Learning Center. The event gathered LEAP Scholars from Chinese, French, and Spanish languages to discuss the power competition between China and the U.S. The immersive experience allowed all participants to learn different perspectives of the struggle, use their regional and cultural expertise, and consider not only the impact around the world, but also the advantage of these skills to help us develop as mature military leaders with a global perspective.
“LEAP has enriched my military career greatly. I am very proud of the opportunities I’ve been given to contribute to the Air Force mission and the defense and our country by using my language and cultural skills.
“I’m always looking forward to the next opportunity to learn and contribute to our overall mission through LEAP.”
--Spanish LEAP Scholar Maj. Andrews Gonzalez