Palace Chase - option for some

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Darlene Seltmann
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Palace Chase or Palace Front are two programs available to those who wish to remain in the military outside of active duty.

These programs allow active-duty officers and Airmen to voluntarily transfer to the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.

Remaining active-duty service commitments or terms of enlistment may be waived for approved applicants in exchange for agreement to participate in a selected USAFR or ANG program.

"The Palace Chase program is an effective tool the Air Force uses to balance the force," said Master Sgt. Steven Hult, 56th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor. "For personnel who meet the requirements and are approved, it is a great avenue to let people out of active-duty early and place them into the Guard or Reserve."

Personnel separating from active-duty under Palace Chase are required to report to the gaining unit and participate in all Reserve activities for the duration of the Palace Chase contract.

"An Airman only needs to complete 24 months of a four-year initial enlistment or 36 months of a six-year initial enlistment before requesting a date of separation," said Master Sgt. Michael Langdon, 944th Fighter Wing in-service recruiter. "Airmen who are beyond their initial enlistment may apply at anytime."

There is no rank or age cutoff for Palace Chase.

Normally, it takes seven to eight weeks from the time the application is submitted until notification is received from AFPC on a tentative decision. Once granted approval from Air Force Personnel Center, the in-service recruiter looks for a position the Airman can fill. There are many opportunities that can be found in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. Retraining is a possibility, but it depends on the needs of the Air Force Reserve.

Those who did not participate in the Montgomery GI Bill program while on active duty may qualify for the cost-free Montgomery Reserve GI Bill.

After approval, it will take around 45 to 90 days to leave active duty. It also depends on whether or not additional testing, physical processing or interviews are needed.

There are two programs Airmen can choose between - the unit program and the individual mobilization augmentee program.

The unit program is one weekend a month and a 15-day annual tour. The IMA program is more flexible. Coordination, training dates and two-week annual tours are done with the individual's active-duty supervisor. IMAs perform duty 12 to 24 days per year along with a 12-day annual tour.

For more information about Palace Front or Palace Chase, call (623) 896-7002.