Transition programs offer new direction

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joesph C. Boals
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Air Force offers many options for Airmen wanting to experience more in their career.
These options come in the form of transition programs. 

One option offered to active duty members is transferring to the Air Force Reserve though a program called Palace Chase. Palace Chase allows Airmen to serve out their remaining active-duty obligation in double, meaning if an Airman has one year of active service in their contract, they will serve two years with the Reserves. However, first-term Airmen must serve out half of their enlistment before applying. 

"Palace Chase helps Airmen go to school full-time while serving," says Master Sgt. Casey Kelly, in-service recruiter for the Air Force Reserve here. "It's a good option because Airmen can still earn benefits and obtain their goals in life and the Air Force." 

Although schooling is one of the many positive aspects of this program, for Airmen with a distanced family it allows more family time while still allowing the individual to serve in the military. 

"I chose Palace Chase to help the situation with my family," said Staff Sgt. Jermaine Lewis, 2d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "My wife lives in Texas and we try to meet up on the weekend, so, the time came for me to decide. I'm applying for jobs and finishing up my bachelor's degree in political science. It's going into a different direction, it will be slower than active duty but it will help my family by being able to spend more time with them. For me, to be more successful, I chose Palace Chase." 

Options are also available for active-duty Airmen wanting a "fresh breath" of Air Force. 

"Retraining and special duties are career enhancement options for Airmen," said Master Sgt. Robert Beale, 2d Bomb Wing career advisor. "We fill critical positions mainly. Retraining allows Airmen to enhance their career; some retraining can be done for assignment purposes." 

Special duty options include postal, recruiting and Military Training Instructor. Airmen can also retrain to be Military Training Leaders and Professional Military Education instructors or volunteer for a 365-day deployment. 

The Army even offers a program to those Airmen that decide they want to keep their boots on the ground. The Army's Blue-to-Green program allows active-duty Airmen to join the Army without going through basic. Ranks of E-1 through E-5 retain date of rank and grade in the transfer. Ranks of E-5 and above have a case-by-case basis. Some Air Force Specialty Codes can transfer without re-training or a new career path can be chosen. 

For more information on these programs, contact Sergeant Kelley, Reserve in-service recruiter at 456-1930, Sergeant Beale, 2d BW career advisor at 456-4957 or Sergeant 1st Class Talton, United States Army Recruiting at 742-2945.