McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. –
Newly assigned at McGuire AFB is Tech. Sgt. Tamika Covington, the Air National Guard in-service recruiter for air bases in New Jersey, Delaware and Massachusetts. Sergeant Covington is here to assist active-duty members from bases located in the region to apply for the Palace Chase and Palace Front programs. This will help give members a smooth transition if/when transferring from active duty to an Air National Guard unit anywhere in the Unites States.
Palace Chase is not an early-release program, but does allow active-duty Air Force officers and enlisted members to request transfer to an Air National Guard unit. If a member has completed at least 50 percent of their original active-duty contract, have no medical disqualifying problems, is not on the control roster, has at least a secret security clearance, and has received a 3-level in their Primary Air Force Specialty Code, overseas members DEROS date and DOS play a factor whether eligible, they may be eligible for the Palace Chase program (depending on further qualification criteria). Character of discharge is honorable and discharge is for the convenience of the government. The application process takes approximately seven to eight weeks after the Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center receives it. If you received an active- duty bonus, you may have to pay back a portion of the bonus. Your finance office can provide you with more information on that, if it applies to you.
Palace Front is a transfer program, which allows active-duty Air Force officers and enlisted members to transfer from the U.S. Air Force to the Air National Guard the day after separation from the Air Force (non-Palace Chase), normally upon completing their date of separation. This will allow the member to continue their military career without a break in service. Depending on the needs of your local ANG unit and the AFSC's, which may be available at the time of your assignment to your new unit, you may be able to cross-train if you so desire. You must have no disqualifying medical conditions and be honorably discharged with a good reenlistment code.
If you have any questions in regard to the Palace Chase or Palace Front programs, call Sergeant Covington at (609) 754-3071 or e-mail Tamika.covington@mcguire.af.mil. Her office is located in Bldg. 2916, Rm. 18 at McGuire AFB.