A new frontier: Meet Barksdale’s new in-service reserve recruiter

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mozer O. Da Cunha
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
Transitioning from active duty military to a reserve component can be a life changing decision involving changes in benefits, pay, skills training and retirement. Knowing what to do during the application process and how those changes can effect their lives gives Airmen the edge needed to make a fast and worry-free transition.

Master Sgt. Kenya McCall, Central Recruiting Squadron Air Force in-service recruiter, is available to provide one-on-one counseling sessions to educate, advise and assist Airmen making that transition.

"My main function is to assist anyone who is looking to transition from full time active duty to serving in the reserve part time,” McCall said. “Currently we provide assistance for two different programs, palace chase and palace front.

The palace chase program is designed to help Airmen transition out of their active duty role into a reserve role during their contract.

“Enlisted members half-way though their obligation and commissioned officers who have completed two thirds of their obligations are eligible to apply,” McCall said. “The program is a force management tool for active duty and acceptance is based on career field manning and approval from the Airman’s functional career field manager.”

While palace chase provides Airmen with opportunities for active duty contract termination, palace front assists Airmen who have reached the end of their commitment.

“The palace front program is designed for members reaching the end of their commitment,” McCall said. “For those Airmen, this facilitates the transition over to the reserve component without a break in service.”

The application process involves completing an online check list available at the Virtual Military Personnel Flight.

“Having an in-service reserve recruiter here gives members the opportunity to have a face-to-face encounters instead of having to use the virtual out-processing system on your own,” McCall said. “I assist Airmen submitting their applications via the vMPF, checking it line-by-line. Can members do it on their own? Absolutely, but if there are any mistakes it will get kicked back. In-service recruiters can give face-to-face customer service, making sure the package gets completed entirely and accurately, making the process fast and effective.”

In addition to application assistance, McCall also assists Airmen with position and unit allocation.

“Eligible Airmen who apply and are accepted will only receive a tentative approval, until final approval,” McCall said. “In order to receive final approval members need to secure a position and a unit in the reserve. With the vMPF route, members need to locate and apply for their desired position on their own. Here we will help them find a position at the reserve unit they want to go to.”

Airmen considering applying can also request mentoring sessions before applying.

“There are many cases where we counsel members considering the programs and recommend they do not to apply,” McCall said. “There have been cases where after we counselled members they decided not to submit their packages because it was in their best interest to stay on active duty.”

Having access to an in-service recruiter can encourage Airmen to pursue becoming a reservist.

“Having this service available helped me make an informed decision about transitioning into the reserve,” said Senior Airman Jordan Stout, 608th Air Communication Squadron cybertransport journeyman.” The assistance I received finding a reserve base and position made coming here 100 percent worth it.”

Program applications may take up to eight weeks, but applications submitted with no missing documents or mistakes can be processed sooner.

“My application was processed fairly quickly, it took only three weeks,” Stout said. “Without help, I would not have been able to process the paperwork as quickly.”

Airmen interested in counseling or who need assistance with palace chase or palace front applications can contact the in-service recruiting office at 318-529-3029 or via email at kenya.mccall.1@us.af.mil.