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Reserved to serve

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Destinee Sweeney
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. --  The 20th Force Support Squadron Air Force Reserve in-service recruiters hosted a Palace Chase briefing here, Feb. 8.

The briefing is designed to give service members who are looking to transition out of active duty Air Force before the end of their commitment an opportunity to continue serving in the Air Force Reserve.

During the brief, the recruiters explained requirements, the application process, part-time and full-time options, and benefits.

Open to both the enlisted and officers, the individual applying must have completed half of his or her initial enlistment or two-thirds of an initial active duty service commitment, must be eligible to re-enlist and cannot be notified of a permanent change of station or deployment.

Additionally, the individual cannot be on a control roster and must be medically qualified for worldwide duty.

“If they let us know they’re interested in Palace Chase we’ll send them a package that same day,” said Master Sgt. Mark Shearin, 20th FSS in-service recruiter. “Then it’s up to them to complete the documents.”

After the package is submitted there is an eight-week processing period, after which, if accepted, the recruiters have 60 days to find the individual a position in the Reserve that meets the individual’s needs. The individual will typically stay within the same Air Force specialty code, however if no positions for that job are available retraining may be possible.

Individuals who are in the Reserve have the option to cross-train at any time, said Shearin.

“There may be circumstances that a member joined under where it was a good idea,” said Master Sgt. Kenya Chatman, 20th FSS in-service recruiter, “but things changed, life happened.”

Some of the reasons people choose Palace Chase are to continue school, resolve family issues, or take care of a family member with health problems. A narrative justification for an individual’s separation is required in the application.

“If you have somebody who’s a good troop and a good asset,” said Chatman, “but active duty is no longer a viable option for them, why not provide them with another opportunity? Give them the opportunity to look into the Reserve under the Palace Chase program. They can still wear the uniform and serve their country, just in a different capacity.”

Palace Chase briefings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month in Building 1118.

For more information, or to apply to Palace Chase, contact Shearin at 803-895-1590 for last names A-L, or Chatman at 803-895-8969 for last names M-Z.