JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Active-duty Airmen stationed in Virginia and North Carolina have the opportunity to apply for one of two programs that may provide the opportunity to transfer to an Air National Guard unit anywhere in the United States.
The Palace Chase program allows active-duty Airmen to separate from the active component, and accept a transfer to an Air National Guard unit. To be eligible, Airmen must meet the following prerequisites:
- Must have completed at least 50 percent of their original active-duty contract
- Must not be medically disqualified
- Must not be on a control roster
- Must possess at least a "secret" security clearance
- Must have received 3-level certification in their primary Air Force Specialty Code, or AFSC.
Alternatively, the Palace Front program allows active-duty Airmen to transfer to the Air National Guard one day after separation from the Air Force, upon completing their Date of Separation. As a result, Airmen can continue on in the ANG without a break in service.
Personnel may be able to cross-train, depending on the needs of the gaining ANG unit. To be eligible for the program, Airmen must remain medically qualified to serve and have received an honorable discharge with a good reenlistment code.
Of note, "Character of Discharge" is considered an honorable discharge, and exists for the convenience of the government. The application process takes approximately 4-6 weeks upon receipt by Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center.
Transferring Airmen may be required to return a portion of any active-duty enlistment bonuses. For more information about bonuses and how you will be affected, contact your local finance office.
Master Sgt. Tamika Covington, the Air National Guard In-Service Recruiter at Langley Air Force Base, is available to assist all active-duty Airmen in the region in applying for the Palace Chase and Palace Front programs. Covington is available by phone at (757) 764-9995 or by email at Tamika.Covington2@langley.af.mil.