AFI 36-2406: OFFICER AND ENLISTED EVALUATIONS SYSTEMS

AFI 36-2406 — index record

Number	AFI 36-2406
Title	OFFICER AND ENLISTED EVALUATIONS SYSTEMS
Published	August 22, 2025
Certified current	May 27, 2026
Guidance memorandum	August 7, 2026
Office of primary responsibility	AF/A1
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	GM, August 7, 2026
Source index	Air Force e-Publishing
Index last read	October 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (252 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This publication implements Department of the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 36-24, Military Evaluations. It provides guidance and procedures for implementing the United States Air Force (USAF) Officer and Enlisted Evaluations Systems. It also describes how to prepare, submit, and manage forms. This instruction has been developed in collaboration between the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1); Chief of the Air Force Reserve (AF/RE); and the Director of the Air National Guard (NGB/CF). This publication applies to the Regular Air Force (RegAF), Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard; it does not apply to the United States Space Force (USSF). This instruction requires the collection and or maintenance of information protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 authorized by Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5400.11, DoD Privacy and Civil Liberties Program. The applicable SORN F036 AF PC A, Effectiveness/Performance Reporting Systems and F036 AFPC T, Officer Performance Report

Summary of changes, as printed

This interim change fully implements previously approved guidance from Air Force Guidance Memorandum (AFGM) 2026-01, by requiring the documentation of physical fitness assessment scores on officer and enlisted evaluations. It also (1) prescribes AF Form 717, Performance Objectives and Feedback Form, and implements guidance on the updated feedback system; (2) authorizes multiple general officers to sign evaluations; (3) emphasizes aligning objectives with major performance areas and competencies with airman leadership qualities (ALQs); (4) clarifies officer stratification quotes; (5) updates guidance on Joint and DAF SNCO stratifications; (6) changes single evaluator requirements for enlisted members; (7) updates single evaluator authorization for deployed commander letters of evaluation (LOEs); and (8) makes several administrative updates throughout the AFI. A margin bar (|) indicates newly revised material.

Chapter 1—GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSp. 9
Chapter 2—PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK PROCESSp. 58
Chapter 5—DAF FORM 77, LETTER OF EVALUATIONp. 161
Chapter 6—DAF FORM 475, EDUCATION/TRAINING REPORTp. 175
Chapter 7—GENERAL OFFICER EVALUATIONSp. 186
Chapter 9—DAF FORM 3538, RETENTION RECOMMENDATION FORM (RRF)p. 248
Chapter 10—CORRECTING OFFICER AND ENLISTED EVALUATIONSp. 254
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 274
Attachment 2—APPEAL GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTSp. 294
Attachment 3—NON-RATED PERIOD MEMORANDUMp. 302

All 98 contents entries

Chapter 1—GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSp. 9
1.1. Purposep. 9
1.2. Forms - Purpose and Utilizationp. 9
1.3. General Guidelinesp. 10
1.4. Preparing and Processing Evaluationsp. 11
1.5. Evaluator Requirementsp. 20
1.6. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 22
1.7. Rating Chain Deviations and Evaluator Changesp. 29
1.8. Evaluator’s Mandatory Considerationsp. 32
1.9. Mandatory Commentsp. 35
1.10. Disagreementsp. 36
1.11. Referral Evaluationsp. 37
1.12. General Prohibited Evaluator Considerations and Commentsp. 43
1.13. Policy Deviations and Waiver Requestsp. 47
1.14. Missing, Late, and Removed Performance Evaluationsp. 48
1.15. Wartime or National Emergency Provisionsp. 49
Chapter 2—PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK PROCESSp. 58
2.1. Purposep. 58
2.2. Responsibilitiesp. 58
2.3. Who Requires a Performance Feedback Assessmentp. 60
2.4. Guidance for Conducting Performance Feedback Sessionsp. 60
2.5. When to Conduct Documented Performance Feedback Sessionsp. 60
2.6. The Performance Feedback Assessment Noticep. 60
2.7. Performance Feedback Assessment Formp. 61
2.8. Preparing the Performance Feedback Assessmentp. 61
2.9. Disposition and Accessp. 61
2.10. Failure to Conduct or Document a Performance Feedback Assessmentp. 62
2.11. Tracking Performance Feedback Assessmentsp. 62
3.1. General Guidelinesp. 68
3.2. Purposep. 68
3.3. Who Requires an Officer ALQ Evaluationp. 68
3.4. Who is Not Authorized an Officer ALQ Evaluationp. 70
3.5. When to Submit an Officer ALQ Evaluation – Officer Performance Brief (OPB)p. 70
3.6. Annual Reportsp. 72
3.12. Number of Days Rater Supervisedp. 77
3.13. Performance Feedback Assessmentp. 77
3.14. Higher Level Reviewerp. 77
3.15. Stratificationsp. 79
3.16. Unauthorized Evaluator Considerations and Commentsp. 84
3.17. Extensions of Close-out Datesp. 88
3.18. Ratee’s Acknowledgementp. 88
4.1. General Guidelinesp. 109
4.2. Enlisted Evaluation Formsp. 109
4.3. When to Accomplish an Enlisted Evaluationp. 109
4.4. Evaluations not Authorizedp. 110
4.5. When to Submit an Enlisted Evaluationp. 111
4.8. Number of Days Rater Supervisedp. 114
4.9. Completing Evaluationsp. 115
9 Days Non-Rated Enter number of days Non-Ratedp. 120
4.12. Higher Level Reviewers and Single Evaluatorsp. 120
4.13. Higher Level Reviewer Responsibilitiesp. 122
4.14. Performance Feedback Assessmentp. 123
4.15. Authorized Evaluator Considerations and Commentsp. 123
4.17. Ratee’s Acknowledgementp. 124
Chapter 5—DAF FORM 77, LETTER OF EVALUATIONp. 161
5.1. Purposep. 161
5.2. Types of LOEsp. 161
5.3. Who Can Preparep. 163
5.4. Administrative Practicesp. 164
5.5. Completing DAF Form 77, Letter of Evaluationp. 164
5.6. Routing, Updating and Disposition Responsibilitiesp. 164
5.7. MPF, CSS/HR Specialist, and PERSCO Team Responsibilitiesp. 164
Chapter 6—DAF FORM 475, EDUCATION/TRAINING REPORTp. 175
6.1. When to Use Training Reports (TRs)p. 175
6.2. Who Prepares Training Reportsp. 177
6.3. Referral Training Reportsp. 177
6.4. Routing and Responsibilitiesp. 177
Chapter 7—GENERAL OFFICER EVALUATIONSp. 186
7.1. Overviewp. 186
7.2. Forms Usedp. 186
7.3. Reasons for Reportsp. 186
7.4. General Instructionsp. 186
7.5. Processing General Officer Evaluationsp. 188
7.6. Extensions of Close-out Datesp. 189
8.1. DAF Form 709 (for ADL officers)p. 196
8.2. DAF Form 709 for RASL Officersp. 207
8.3. Management Level Reviews (ADL Lieutenant Colonel and Below)p. 212
8.4. Special Provisions (applies to ADL officers only)p. 225
8.6. Correction of PRFs (ResAF Officers) (“Stop File” Process)p. 230
8.7. Promotion Recommendations for Colonelsp. 230
Chapter 9—DAF FORM 3538, RETENTION RECOMMENDATION FORM (RRF)p. 248
9.1. When to Use the DAF Form 3538, Retention Recommendationp. 248
9.2. Responsibilitiesp. 248
9.3. Retention Recommendation Form Submissionp. 249
9.4. Air Force Advisor Examinationp. 249
9.5. Correction of a Retention Recommendation Formp. 249
Chapter 10—CORRECTING OFFICER AND ENLISTED EVALUATIONSp. 254
10.1. Purposep. 254
10.2. Program Elementsp. 254
10.3. Correcting Evaluationsp. 257
10.4. Responsibilitiesp. 258
10.5. Meeting Time Limits and Expedited Requestsp. 261
10.6. Using Classified, Privacy Act, and Restricted Release Informationp. 262
10.8. Resubmitting an Appealp. 262
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 274
Attachment 2—APPEAL GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTSp. 294
8 Days Supervised Enter number of days ratee wasp. 298
Attachment 3—NON-RATED PERIOD MEMORANDUMp. 302

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AFI 36-2406

AFI 36-2406 — index record

From the publication itself

Purpose, in the publication’s words

Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

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