LEAP now accepting applications year-round Published April 28, 2015 By Brandon M. Bridges Air Force Culture and Language Center MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Airmen can now apply for the Language Enabled Airman Program at any time instead of waiting for a specific application window in advance of scheduled selection boards. The transition will give LEAP administrators a better view of language capabilities across the service. "We have almost two thousand participants as of spring 2015," said Rebecca McKenzie, who oversees LEAP at the Air Force Culture and Language Center here. "Opening the application window year round will allow us to get a better overall picture of the language capabilities in the Air Force at any given time. We can then call on those capabilities at any time." The ultimate objective, said McKenzie, is to better target the proper languages, ranks and Air Force specialty codes to meet whatever mission requirements may arise. Under the new approach, dubbed "open application," applicants will now be able to submit completed packages at any time during the year. Selection boards will continue to convene on a regular basis; when a board is scheduled, a corresponding cutoff date will be announced for applicants wishing to be considered by that board. This means that, although the application system will remain open and available after the board cutoff date, only completed applications received prior to the cutoff date will be reviewed by that board. Applications received after the cutoff date will be rolled over to the next board. "This year," she said, "we have a board scheduled in mid-September. So we've set the deadline for online application completion for August 17." Current guidance, as published in the 2015 selection memo, outlines eligibility requirements for Airmen interested in LEAP: -Air Force active duty enlisted Airmen (excluding 1N3 and 1A8 career fields) with at least 48 months' time in service, rank of senior airman through senior master sergeant, completion of all five-skill level and Career Field and Education Training Plan requirements and not within two years of separation or retirement. -Air Force active duty commissioned officers not within two years of separation or retirement. -Air Force officer candidates with a commission date scheduled for the current academic year may apply. However, officer candidates applying now will be considered by a 2016 board instead of the fall 2015 board. Further instructions for cadet applicants will be released in August 2015. Cadets not career designated should understand that participation in LEAP may influence their ultimate career paths and/or assignments. Additionally, their chosen language may change to accommodate demand signals from career field functional managers and needs of the Air Force. Involvement in LEAP will in no way preclude participation in any rated Air Force program, such as pilot or navigation training. To apply, interested Airmen must be on a military domain computer with a CAC-reader and an Air University portal account to begin a LEAP application. Applicants that need to create or update their Air University portal account will be redirected to the portal before going to the application site.