end of tour decoration

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Air Force Decorations Part 2 of 2

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Air Force Decorations Part 1 of 2

For part 1 of this series I focused on my experience with how the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), and Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) are practically awarded. For part 2 my goal is to focus on some administrative tips for completing each level of decoration. As you progress from the AFAM to the MSM the quality of achievement should improve, and this is evident by the progressive level of the approval authority. The only way to achieve a consistent quality across all levels across the Air Force is to adhere to the guidance outlined in the AFI.

Achievement Decorations

For “achievement” types of decorations we should lean heavily on our NCOs and SNCOs. We need to ensure they are tracking and familiar with the unit precedent for each level of award, both in-house and with similar units across the Air Force. As I said in part 1, some examples of “achievements” recognized at the AFAM level are one year of base honor guard volunteer service or support for a contingency operation. For example, if you are at an overseas base and a Combatant Command called the wing you are assigned to into action, it may be appropriate to fight for your NCO to be awarded an AFAM if his duties supported the contingency mission.

Service Decorations

For “service” decorations it is generally accepted that a 3-4 year of duty warrants a decoration. The inclusive date for “service” decorations cannot overlap and the AFI provides very clear guidance for what the dates should be.

1.15.12. Inclusive Dates: The dates to be used for inclusive dates are as follows: 1.15.12.1. PCS: Start date is the date the member arrived to the station/unit; stop date is the date of final outprocessing. 1.15.12.2. PCA: Start date is the date the member arrived to the unit; stop date is the day prior to the effective date of the unit change. 1.15.12.3. Separation/Retirement: Start date is the date the member arrived to the station/unit; stop date is the day prior to the separation/retirement effective date. 1.15.12.5. Achievement: Start date is the date member inprocessed (TDY) or the date the special project or duty started; stop date is the final outprocessing day (TDY) or the date of when the special project or duty ended. 1.15.12.6. Extended Tour: Start date is the date the member arrived to the station/unit; stop date is the day prior to the 3- or 4-year point (see paragraph 1.16.1.6) AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program

The “3-4 year” rule is not a hard rule, and the quality of performance during that period is important. Maybe a SrA truly deserves an AFCM after four years of service. Maybe a TSgt who failed two fitness assessments doesn’t deserve a decoration at all. Bottom line, it needs to make sense. Decorations have to be earned and are not a given.

Extended Tour Decorations

My second point for this post is the award of extended tour decorations. Typically an enlisted Airman serves a 3-4 year tour, but it is possible for someone to serve 6-8 years at the same base. Awarding an Airman with one decoration for eight years of service may send a negative message when the Airman is competing for a SNCO promotion board later down the road. Due to this, the AFI authorizes what are called “extended tour” (also known as “mid-tour”) decorations. With these you just have to be careful about what you fight for. For example, a SNCO who served five years at the same assignment may end up leaving with one extended tour AFCMs and one end of tour AFCM, versus 1 MSM for the five-year period. That may matter to the individual.

Opening and Closing Sentences

My final point for this post is about how the opening and closing statements for decorations are determined. The level of award coupled by the decoration reason determine the exact wording of the opening and closing statements. Luckily, this is populated automatically by the system we use to process decorations called vPC. It is just important for us to be mindful of what it is supposed to say so we can make sure it is correct.

The below examples are just the common examples outlined in the AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program . Dig into the actual AFI for more details for your specific situation.

AFAM Opening Sentence

3.5.13.1. Opening Sentence: Captain Michelle Canmore distinguished herself by (meritorious service) OR (outstanding achievement), as (duty assignment, and office location) OR while assigned to (office location).

AFAM Closing Sentence

3.5.13.3. Closing Sentence. Confine the closing to one sentence which will personalize the summation.

AFCM Opening Sentence

3.5.12.1. Opening Sentence: Technical Sergeant Ami Ponde distinguished herself by (meritorious service) OR (outstanding achievement) OR (an act of courage) as (duty assignment and office) OR (while assigned to (office) from _____to ).

AFCM Closing Sentence

3.5.12.4. Closing Sentence: The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Ponde reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.

3.5.12.4.2. Retirement Award: The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Ponde culminate a (long and) distinguished career in the service of her country and reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.

3.5.12.4.3. Separation Award: The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Ponde while serving her country reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.

MSM Opening Statement

3.5.9.1. Opening Sentence: Senior Master Sergeant Mickey Smith distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as (duty title) OR (while assigned to the (office) from _____to ).

MSM Closing Statement

3.5.9.3. Closing Sentence: The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smith reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force:

3.5.9.3.1. Retirement Award: The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smith culminate a (long and) distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

3.5.9.3.2. Separation Award: The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Smith while serving his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Administrative Instructions

Here are a few helpful tips from the AFI I have learned along the way. Reference paragraph 3.4.

• The use of the dollar sign ($) is typically not recommended, however, will be accepted if used in the proper format ($10 million).
• Numeric designators of units should read 3d Aerospace Wing, 4th Mission Support Group, etc.
• Use Times New Roman (TMS RMN) 10- to 12-point size or comparable font.
• Length of citation should not exceed:
• 3.4.8.1. MSM, AM, AAM, and AFCM citations: 14 lines maximum
• 3.4.8.2. AFAM citations: 11 or 12 lines maximum

The actual writing of a decoration is something that takes practice. In general you review all of the EPRs or OPRs for the time period, pick out the best bullets, then write them in narrative form. If there is a demand I will likely do a part 3 to this post at a later date.

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Former Enlisted

I have sort of an odd question when it comes to decorations. Is it possible for the flight commander to mail the actual physical award/certificate (example: AF achievement medal award) to the airman after they have separated? I ask because many of us who served at Beale AFB, CA never got our awards once we separated. They were held up at the base’s MPF. The approval process is very long. So, by the time the award is approved by the Group Commander, the airman is no longer active duty. Btw, everyone should try to stay away from Beale AFB, CA. Bad morale on base. Go to Travis AFB instead.

The short answer is yes. Currently I can only speak to those who use the vPC site process. Once MPS approves it a CSS member, either in MPF or at the squadron level, can pull the approved PDF of the decoration from vPC and print it on the decoration paper blank. My commander wet signs the decoration and gets it back to the CSS member to mail to the member. The CSS ideally has a valid/current mailing address on file… Ideally you get the decoration before you depart but yeah, some people suck.

The unit can even use government funds to mail it so it is just a matter of if the staff had the bandwidth. I’d reach out to the group exec and see if they can help you out, that isn’t right.

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1.       Use correct opening and closing sentences.

2.       Use full military rank & name in first sentence (ex: Master Sergeant John J. Doe).   Short oral address in second and closing sentences (ex: Sergeant Doe).   Pronouns in other sentences (ex: he).

3.       Use transitions (During this period, Sergeant Doe…, Additionally he…, Furthermore he…, Finally he…)

4.       Do not use abbreviations, acronyms, special characters, or superscript.

5.       Spell out numbers ten and less and millions/billions (ex: two million dollars or $2 million (preferred)). Use numerals for 1,000 to 9,999 (ex: 2,357).

6.       Use third person, active voice, past tense. Also use only 12 font.

7.       Do not use alphanumeric organizational designators. (ex: SCOO)

8.       Do not include classified information on citation.

9.       Avoid using titles, terms, and expressions (“Geek-Speak”) not easily understood by general public. And also avoid using exaggerated superlatives (ex. unequalled / unprecedented).

10.   Include quarterly, annual military & PME awards received (individual, team or unit) and base or community leadership involvement.

Decoration Writing Guides

Decoration examples.

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