JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
For most individuals who hear the term ‘Palace Chase’ for
the first time, the name is followed by confusion. However, Master Sgt. George
Higgins, 433rd Air Wing Recruiting Squadron in service recruiter, is ready to
answer those questions and more for Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airmen.
Higgins serves as the resident expert on all information for
the Air Force Reserve and as the point of contact in determining the
eligibility of Airmen seeking to continue service in the Reserve.
“The two separation programs that transition active duty
Airmen into the Reserve are Palace Chase and Palace Front,” Higgins said.
“Palace Chase is a program that enables eligible active duty Airmen to transfer
into the Air Force Reserve or Guard half way through their enlistment, while
Palace Front serves the same purpose for Airmen who have completed their active
duty enlistment period and want to continue into the Reserve directly after
their date of separation.”
While first term Airmen must meet the half way mark in their
enlistment period to be eligible for the Palace Chase program, second term and
beyond can apply at any time. All applicants must have a clean service record
devoid of legal or physical training failures.
“The first step in the process is contacting me,” Higgins
said. “I’ll speak with you to see which program you’re eligible for and guide
you through the process of application.”
Airmen can begin the application process as soon as six
months from their half way mark in their enlistment or their end of enlistment
separation date depending on which program they choose.
Unlike active duty, individuals who transfer into the
Reserve choose their base and can cross-train if that location has no openings
for their current career field.
Providing Airmen with answers to their questions for these
options is part of what Higgins said he loves about his job.
“It’s important to get these individuals the information
they need to make informed decisions regarding their career goals,” he said. “A
lot of Airmen don’t know that they can request an early separation from their
active duty enlistment in order to fit school or family more easily into their
lives.”
For more information on transferring into the Air Force
Reserve through the Palace Chase or Palace Front program, call 652-7532.