Air Force Educational Leave of Absence Program

In April of 2002, the Air Force replaced the "Bootstrap" Program with the Air Force Educational Leave of Absence Program (ELA). However, in the grand tradition of not letting go, most people in the Air Force still call the ELA "Bootstrap."

Bootstrap (or ELA) allows Air Force members who are within one year of completing a college degree (bachelors, masters, or PHD) to go to college full time and complete the degree. In exchange, the member agrees to extend their active duty commitment.