Air Force Reserve options for Active Duty Airmen

Published Jan. 11, 2016
By Tech. Sgt. Alex Benningfield
5th Force Support Squadron

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Air Force Reserve, the third largest MAJCOM, provides many options for Active Duty Airmen whom have decided to separate or are on the fence about re-enlisting.

Currently there is the Palace Chase process which allows members to apply for early separation. Members may apply once they have completed half of their initial enlistment and are not pending involuntary separation.

The Palace Chase process not only allows members serving a six year contract to transfer to a part time status at three years, or two years for a four year enlistee. Members are also able to retrain into a new AFSC at a location of their choice. This process is most beneficial to members who know exactly where they will live at; for instance moving back home to attend a specific college.

Palace Chase applicants, will get to enjoy many of the benefits allotted to them during Active Duty such as 100 percent Tuition Assistance, access to military installations and all benefits within and a retirement plan.

Members who are approved for Palace Chase by Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) will serve twice the length of their remaining contract. For instance if a member has one year remaining they will be in the Air Force Reserve for two years before they can re-enlist or completely separate.

The second option for Airmen is called Palace Front. This program allows for a direct transfer to the Air Force Reserve upon completion of a member's current contract. This program also allows for a member to transfer without a break in service, and additionally opens up retraining options if the member was denied retraining earlier.

A member can start the Palace Front process within six months of their date of separation. Applying for this program will have no negative effects on any leave or out-processing planned.

Both programs require that the member be physically fit by having a current passing PT test, medically qualified as identified either in the yearly Physical Health Assessment (PHA) or the member's separation physical.

Some additional requirements may arise in specific situations, for instance a member must meet all requirements for a new AFSC IAW the Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory (AFECD) if they are retraining.

For any questions about the Palace Chase or Palace Front programs and options within the Air Force Reserve please contact Tech. Sgt. Alex Benningfield, the Air Force Reserve in-service recruiter at 701-723-4010 or Alex.Benningfield.1@us.af.mil