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Air Force Reserve continues service on Shaw turf

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Ingold
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – Team Shaw Airmen interested in continuing service to their country part-time can reach out to in-service recruiters at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

Master Sgt. Kenya Chatman and Master Sgt. Mark Shearin, 315th Air Wing recruiting service, are the Air Force Reserve recruiters ready to help Airmen interested in continued service outside of active duty.

“My favorite part of my job is helping people transition,” said Chatman. “People have to make tough decisions about changing over and I get to help bridge that gap. I’ve been active duty before and I understand the transition can be hard on the service member and the family, so smoothing it out is something I enjoy.”

Reserve members can work toward a differently-structured retirement, wear the uniform and still receive Air Force benefits.

Chatman said reservists still have identification cards that will get them onto any military instillation as well as access to the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance.

“We get a separation roster for Airmen a year away from the end of their contract and reach out to them,” said Chatman. “We try to find out what their plans are, because some of them don’t know what they are doing after they separate.”

The U.S. Air Force Reserve has two programs for Airmen leaving active duty.

The Palace Front program allows Airmen to enter the reserve component after their date of separation without a break in service.

The Palace Chase program allows Airmen to transfer to the reserve during their current active duty contract.

“The Reserve answers the question ‘How can we make life-long Airmen,’” said Lt. Col. Tom Butler, U.S. Air Force Reserve eastern recruiting squadron commander. “You can do this in the regular Air Force, Guard or Reserve.”

Butler said the reserve component provides a way for Airmen to continue their service to their country with the ability to lay roots. The U.S. Air Force Reserve has no mandatory permanent change in stations.

Airmen closing in on the end of their contract can expect to hear from Air Force Reserve recruiters soon about service opportunities. Shaw’s in-service recruiters can be reached at 803-895-8968 and 803-895-8969.