F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- For Airmen who are considering leaving active duty but want to continue serving, Master Sgt. Kent Kagarise is the person to see. Kagarise, the 90th Missile Wing Air Force Reserve in-service recruiter, works with Airmen who are currently on active duty, but have plans to separate or pursue Palace Chase or Palace Front.
“My job is to inform Airmen about what the differences are, the benefits of the AF Reserve, and a way for them to continue their service as a part time AF reservist,” said Kagarise.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Angello, mobilization assistant to the 20th Air Force commander, and his team of AF Reserve Airmen have been working on finding more opportunities for reservists in ICBM career fields.
“Currently we have opportunities for operational personnel at all missile wings and the 576th Flight Test Squadron,” said Lt. Col. Lt Col Jacque Hotz, 20 AF operations and communications mobilization assistant. “This includes combat mission ready (CRM) crew members, evaluators and instructors. We are working to grow our support of our facility managers in the field across all three wings. We also have staff opportunities for missile operators (13N) at 20 AF and Air Force Global Strike Command. We hope to expand this model to our ICBM maintenance community and build a sustainable support for the missile wings.”
There are many reasons to continue serving in the AF Reserve; medical benefits, cross training into a different Air Force specialty code (AFSC), and more stability, just to name a few.
“The value in networking with fellow reserve Airmen is amazing,” said Kagarise. “When you show up to work on drill weekend, you meet and work with people for many years and get to know what they do on the civilian side. So, for example, if you’re someone who wants to get into law enforcement, you will get the chance to meet state, local, federal police officers and network with them.”
The AF Reserve also allows Airmen to focus on both their civilian and military careers.
“Airmen typically think of their Air Force career in terms of Active Duty service only,” said Angello. “The Air Force Reserve affords separating active duty members a way to keep serving over a 20 year period, flowing in and out of active duty that best meets the mission, but also creates space to develop a civilian career or focus more on family or personal priorities. It’s a very flexible way to continue to serve your country in a part-time status, continue to develop professionally, retain valuable benefits, and continue working towards a military retirement.”
If you are interested in joining the AF Reserve or have questions, contact Master Sgt. Kent Kagarise. He’s located at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, building 1284 (MPF building), room 120.
“The first step is to come meet with me. Email, call or text, 719-726-4744. Or stop by my office,” said Kagarise.