ANG offers opportunities for active-duty Airmen

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The Air National Guard is one of the components of the Air Force’s total force, and it has openings for Airmen wishing to transition from active duty to part-time military service.

“The Air National Guard has been one of the best kept secrets in the Air Force,” said Master Sgt. Sean Strong, an ANG in-service recruiter here.

In-service recruiters work together with career assistance advisers to ensure Airmen make informed decisions regarding their military careers.

“In-service recruiters help separating active-duty (Airmen) transition into the ANG where they can continue to serve their country part time at the location of their choosing,” Sergeant Strong said.

The Air Force uses two programs to help with this transition. The Palace Front program allows Airmen who choose not to re-enlist or remain on active duty to enter the ANG without a break in military service. The Palace Chase program is an early release program. Under this option, approved Airmen are released early from active duty and serve out the rest of their enlistment at an ANG unit of their choosing in exchange for an additional service commitment.

The mission of the ANG is dual -- “To provide combat capability to the warfighter and security for the homeland.” Today, the ANG is involved in contingencies worldwide.

While guardsmen are deployable, the numbers are smaller than many might think, Sergeant Strong said.

“(Guardsmen) may be subject to activation under varying circumstances; however, permission from the governor of that (person’s) state is necessary in most every situation,” he said. “The last numbers I pulled from the ANG Readiness Center showed … 4,200 Airmen in the ANG force are activated out of 106,000, and not all of them are overseas.”

As a guardsman, an Airman does not lose access to the quality-of-life programs available at nearby bases. Airmen still have unlimited use of the base exchange, commissary, movie theater, bowling alley, hobby shops and fitness center. They are also still eligible for Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, can contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan and all of their prior service is credited toward their ANG retirement.

One of the largest incentives offered by the ANG is education benefits, Sergeant Strong said. In the great majority of states, the ANG offers tuition assistance that can be used in conjunction with Montgomery G.I. Bill benefits, a benefit unique to the ANG. Many states offer 100-percent tuition waivers.

Sergeant Strong, a former active-duty B-52 Stratofortress crew chief, left the Air Force but said he wanted the same camaraderie he experienced during his active-duty service. The opportunity to continue to belong to the same “team” and be able to stay in the location of his choice made the ANG an attractive alternative for him.

“I bought a house, land and started a family,” he said. “For me, I realized that time and relationships are something you can’t get back after they are gone. The ANG allowed me to live near my family while I continued my military service and enjoyed all of its benefits.”

Airmen who are near the end of their enlistment or want information on options and opportunities in the ANG, the Reserve and staying on active duty can contact the base career assistance adviser.

“Our role is to help members make informed decisions about their careers,” said Master Sgt. Kimberly Crawford, 48th FW career assistance adviser. “Our job is to make sure (Airmen) are aware of their options and connect people with those agencies. We can also provide (them) with information on current military events and AF trends that affect career fields.”

Airmen may also receive information through their supervisor, first sergeant and squadron chief enlisted adviser.