Air Force Reserves - MacDill AFB, FL

May 15th was my last day in the active duty Air Force and May 16th was my first day in the Air Force Reserve.  The process of transitioning from active duty directly into the Reserves is called PALACE FRONT.

Based on aircraft maintenance school starting the end of August at SMAT, I essentially had June and July to accomplish my 36 days of Reserve time for the year.  The Reserve position I have is called an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) position, which is highly flexible - I just have to complete my 36 days / yr sometime within the fiscal year whenever it works for me.  When applying to PMA, I asked if they would consider my request to continue in the Reserves and they were gracious to allow this.  Some of the benefits are:

• Cheaper medical / dental insurance
• Retaining a portion of Air Force retirement at 60
• Flexible work schedule (36 days can be completed together, or at separate times)
• Ability to continue serving the country
• The Reserves pays for my travel to / from work

As an IMA I am finished flying and will be doing staff (desk) work.  Fighter pilot staff positions are difficult to find, but God allowed me to find one at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. We are in Tampa currently for my 36 days for FY15. 

Lana and I drove from Michigan to Florida, stopping in Tennessee and South Carolina on our way.  We spent two days in Tennessee at Fairhaven Ministries to relax in the Appalachian Mountains as a family.  We've been living out of our suitcases since early April and needed some time together.  We then spent three days in Sumter, SC meeting our new renters, visiting with church friends from Harmony Church, and some Christian neighbors we had when living there.  We were able to share our missionary story with many of them and some are now missions partners of ours - we didn't go there with this goal in mind, but God continues to provide as He has been!