An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Beauty queen goes Palace Chase to fulfill service obligation

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeff Kelly
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Palace Chase, the program that allows Regular Air Force members to complete their service obligation in reserve status, will allow the reigning Miss Arkansas USA 2007 to pursue her dream of becoming a television news anchor.

First Lt. Kelly George, deputy chief of public affairs for the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock AFB, Ark., will become an individual mobilization augmentee in the first week of August. In that capacity, she will serve in that office, but not full-time.

The Palace Chase program changed through Sept. 30 of this year to require one-for-one service. This means Regular Air Force members owe Air Force Reserve Command whatever time is left on their service commitment, nothing more nothing less. On Oct. 1 the program will revert back to the old service commitments, which are double or triple when members transition to the Air Force Reserve.

"To be honest, when I started the program it was under the old rule," said Lieutenant George. "That wasn't a problem for me, but it was definitely nice when I found out about the new option. I plan to stay longer than my current two-year commitment, but it is always nice to have that option."

There are many reasons regular component Airmen may want to transition to the Air Force Reserve. Opportunity was Lieutenant George's motivation.

"I'm not getting out because I didn't like the Air Force," she said. "I just got the dream job offer as a civilian. Now I will still be able to work with my Air Force partners here and pursue that career."

Lieutenant George says her co-workers support her coming back to serve as a reservist under the Palace Chase program.

"Palace Chase, joining the Reserve, has helped Kelly and the Air Force," said Capt. David Faggard, chief of public affairs for the 314th AW. "It has allowed her to fulfill her lifelong dreams of working in the television industry as an anchor person and has also been beneficial for the Air Force because we keep a sharp, trained public affairs officer in uniform. Even though it's only part time, the Reserve and Guard are part of our team. What we do could not be done without them." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)