CAMP BULLIS, Texas -- To enhance realism in its training exercises, the U.S. Army has found that utilizing Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) Scholars delivers maximum mission impact while remaining cost effective. The recent Warrior Engaged exercise at Camp Bullis, Texas, was another example of productive cooperation between the Army and Air Force.
“The LEAP Scholars helped us overcome barriers in developing a realistic, rigorous, and immersive training environment,” said 1st Lt. Anthony Orbinati, an Army intelligence officer with the 338th Military Intelligence Battalion. “We were able to prepare for a Large-Scale Combat Operation (LSCO) scenario and better meet the Department of the Army’s goals, supporting Human Intelligence (HUMINT) collectors in multiple languages including Russian, Spanish, and French.”
“This was a week-long United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) HUMINT exercise designed to train Human Intelligence collectors in performing interrogations within a realistic, contested environment,” said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Marrero Estrada, Spanish LEAP Scholar and section chief with the 26th Network Operations Squadron, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex. “A language component was added to the exercise to test the benefits of conducting interrogations in the target language. The first week was dedicated to translating and learning the roles, as well as understanding the exercise scenario. We were four LEAP scholars: two Spanish, one Russian, and one French.”
The other LEAP Scholars who participated in Warrior Engaged were 1st Lt. Paulo Martinez (Spanish), Staff Sgt. George Yaguibou (French), and Staff Sgt. Dmytro Rumiantsev (Russian). Their involvement ensured that the exercise was as lifelike as possible.
“It was crucial to have LEAP Scholars in this exercise to utilize targeted languages other than English,” said Yaguibou an NCOIC, Medical Information Systems Flight with the 436 Healthcare Operations Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del. “It was also a place for the organizer to evaluate the trainee’s language skills. The participants and their leadership highly valued the LEAP Scholars and recommended extending this program to the entire military force. Direct interrogation in a targeted language helps to get an authentic intel/information in a real moment, saving some time, money, and potentially lives or critical assets, and therefore, winning wars and ensuring U.S. national security interests.”
Because modern warfighting often involves an increased emphasis on joint interoperability, exercises like Warrior Engaged are an excellent way for all participants, including LEAP Scholars, to learn the joint operational battle rhythm.
“Working with other branches was great because it gave me an idea of what it’s like to work in a joint environment with the Army,” said Marrero Estrada. “It also provided insight into the HUMINT mission … This LITE was a great experience that expanded my Spanish language knowledge and awareness while utilizing it in a military environment.”
“Warrior Engaged reunited the intelligence community of the Army, Marine Corps, INSCOM (United States Army Intelligence and Security Command), and NATO partners,” said Yaguibou. “Interacting with the Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance Command was a great experience and a two-way exchange. It was surely a Joint Operation learning point.”
Having recognized both the cost effectiveness and the strategic advantage LEAP Scholars bring to large-scale military exercises, organizers are increasingly inclined to integrate them into future operations.
“LEAP Scholars contributed to an invaluable training environment for our intelligence collectors at Warrior Engaged,” said Capt. Jeffrey Henry from the 338th Military Intelligence Battalion. “By integrating LEAP Scholars into the exercise, we were able to create a dynamic and complex scenario that accurately simulated the real-world operational challenges our collectors face. This collaboration was not only about language proficiency; it was about building a cohesive, multi-service team capable of navigating diverse cultural landscapes and achieving mission success. LEAP Scholar support was a game-changer, elevating our training exercise to an immersive and impactful experience.”
“The LEAP Scholars that participated in Warrior Engaged greatly improved the training value of the exercise,” said Lt. Col. Christopher James Bettinger, the commander of the 338th Military Intelligence Battalion. “Their language expertise enabled my interrogators to have a much more realistic experience in the booth, and it also provided language refresher training for them at the same time. I will be looking to incorporate the LEAP Scholar program into all future training exercises for the 338th going forward.”