Your enlistment is over, now what?

  • Published
Lackladn AFB, Texas --  Airmen on active duty, and scheduled to separate from the service, don't always want to leave behind everything they've learned. Through the Reserve, they don't have too. There are options available in the Air Force Reserve that allow those leaving active service to continue to serve at the location they chose, earn a military paycheck and continue earning benefits toward retirement, without the full-time commitment. In fact, transition into the Reserve can provide a some stability while Airmen adjust to life in the civilian world.
Tech. Sgt. Garrett Martin is the Lackland In-Service Recruiter. His primary duty is to inform all Airmen, separating from active duty Air Force service, of opportunities available through the Reserve program.
"An Airman who just came off several years of service can be invaluable to other Reservists who might not have that same experience," Sergeant Martin said. "My first question to people I talk with is, 'Do you have a plan?' If they do, that's great. If they don't, I share with them some options that involve the Reserve."
Sergeant Martin typically meets with Airmen who are within 180 days of their separation date. Two methods of transition from active-duty service to Reserve duty, Palace Chase and Palace Front, are the most often used.
With the Palace Chase option, Airmen can qualify for an early exit provided they have completed a specific amount of their service obligation and meet criteria set by Air Force Instruction 36-3205. The Palace Front route can be taken by Airmen who completed their service obligation and are interested in continuing service on a less-involved, more flexible basis.
"Many people are simply not ready to separate completely and there are others who stay out for a while and decide they miss it," Sergeant Martin said. "Some people already know exactly what they want and there is no pressure to be placed on anyone. What I want and what the Air Force wants is for people to be able to make an informed decision."
Martin spent ten years on active duty before using the Palace Front option to transition to the Reserve. He worked as a vehicle maintainer then a non-prior service Recruiter and finally as an instructor at the Air Force Recruiting School here.
There are many reservists in each of the nine major commands under the Air Force umbrella and over 70,000 reservists currently serving. Over 65 percent are unit reservists - those who participate one weekend a month and two weeks a year. Others belong to the Individual Mobilization Augmentee program or serve full-time as Air Reserve Technicians. Sgt. Martin said the Air Force Reserve benefits tremendously when Airmen with active duty experience choose to continue serving in the Reserve and Airmen benefit because many find an exact fit for the way they want to serve.
"I talk with people and tell them that while you might not qualify for, or be able to get, the exact situation you desire, there's a good chance you will." Sergeant Martin said. "In this process you control the ball. I deal with people of all ranks and each represents different scenarios and circumstances. Some want to deploy, others don't; some want a full-time civil service job, some are single parents who need a break from the ops tempo... it varies.
"All I want is to share a few options with people and let them make an educated decision. There are many benefits that most Airmen are not aware of including TRICARE insurance, Retraining opportunities, a base of preference, promotion and continuation of service to their country."
Active-duty Airmen, interested in finding an Air Force Reserve opportunity that fits their life, can attend a monthly briefing the first Thursday of each month at the Military Personnel Flight building in the Flo Smith conference room at 0900. For more information, contact Sergeant Martin at DSN 473-3860 or garrett.martin@lackland.af.mil