It's either what Tbone said, or just the opposite. One is when you met your commitment and the other is when you still owe some. I think Tbone is correct in that chase is when you are needing a waiver to get out, and you spend a lot of time chasing your tail to get it.

Front is basically you getting into the reserves/ang before you get off active duty.

I would not bet on which was which though...

 

Rats?! Hilarious. I had the same thing happen in an abandoned schoolhouse on Midway Island. I thought the Air Force only stayed at the Hilton.

 

I flew into Midway. No rats though. I did catch a sea snake fishing though. Flew with a couple of F-4s as they broke on the way to Guam. Stayed in the lovely Wake for three days...

Nice place to visit, wouldn't want to live there...

 

How is the ANG and USAFR doing on pilot manning right now? USNR seems to be doing pretty well, and have recently denied reinstating commissions to officers who have completely separated but want back in (with less than a 3 year break in service).

 

As I have just gone through this, the US Air Force requires 6 months (even if your commitment is up and you owe them nothing more). AFPC is the approval authority if you decide to leave early. You must write a waiver letter and it fax it directly to the AFPC ... no WG/CC coordination since you already put the date you want to leave on the separation form that the SQ/CC and the WG/CC signed.

See your local MPF as they will have sample canned waiver letters.

-Fatty

 

For all of those still reading this post, I have some confirmed info from a pretty good guy from the Travis MPF. Before everyone starts ripping me I admit that a good guy in the MPF sounds a little far-fetched, but I have dealt with him before and he seems to know what he is talking about.

Drop paperwork: You have to give the AF 6 months prior to your requesting date of separation, usually the day your commitment ends if you are trying to get out ASAP.

Palace Chase: You are getting out early and the reserve unit that wants you "buys" you commitment from active duty.

Palace Front: You are completely serving your commitment with active duty and you go to work for the reserves the day after you separation date, or the date you have set up with that unit.

Last note I will add is with the new Virtual MPF there is a lot less people that have to know about your plans on life after active duty. I know for Palace Front all the only people that have to know is the commander of the unit you want to go to and your present commander who will get an email asking him to verify or sign off on your plans. Hope this helps.

 

So this means UPT commitment PLUS 6 months, correct?

 

No. It just means that you have to let the AF know 6 months prior to your commitment ending that you want to get out. You shouldn't have to serve ADSC + 6 months. Make sense?

From what I've seen, the six months can be reduced (definitely not a guarantee) if you're already completed your ADSC.

 

Sorry, I should have been more clear. You don't have to serve a day after your commitment as long as you submit your paperwork 6 months prior to your separation date.

One thing I forgot to add...if you are planning on taking terminal leave, you have to add that many days to your 6 months prior. For example if I am taking the max 60 days I would actually have to drop my paperwork 8 months prior to my date of separation or end of commitment. With the way things look right now I will probably do all my time and sell back my leave since the job market doesn't look promising.

Jousteagle is right, if you have completed your ADSC your commander can push for an earlier date. At that point I think it would be determined by how much your commander likes you/willing to go to bat for you. The regulation specially mentions things such as being able to meet hiring windows or certain restraints of future jobs as reasons for less than 6 months notice prior to separation.