Reference & AI

DAFI 31-117

Air Force

ARMING AND USE OF FORCE

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia, active-duty U.S. Air Force

DAFI 31-117, "ARMING AND USE OF FORCE", is a Department of the Air Force publication, dated January 28, 2025.

Published

January 28, 2025

OPR

AF/A4

Headquarters, Department of the Air Force

Official document

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DAFI 31-117 — index record

NumberDAFI 31-117
TitleARMING AND USE OF FORCE
PublishedJanuary 28, 2025
Certified currentJanuary 28, 2025
Office of primary responsibilityAF/A4
Issued byHeadquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the indexCurrent
Last index actionUpdateContact, September 4, 2025
Source indexAir Force e-Publishing
Index last readOctober 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 (42 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 31-1, Integrated Defense. It establishes guidance and procedures for arming, carrying of firearms, and the use of force by Department of the Air Force (DAF) personnel performing security and protection, law and order, investigative, or counterintelligence duties; and for personal protection when related to the performance of official duties. This publication applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, the United States Space Force (USSF), the Air Force Reserve (AFR), the Air National Guard (ANG), those with a contractual obligation to abide by the terms of DAF issuances, and, except where noted otherwise, all civilian employees and uniformed members from other military departments assigned or attached to any DAF unit. The program management guidance in Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 applies to all personnel subjected to this Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI), whereas Chapter 4 is specific to the

Summary of changes, as printed

This document has been substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Major changes include establishing reliability standards to perform Security Forces (SF) duties and specifying roles and responsibilities. Additions to Chapter 4 include: Expanded Squadron Arming Use of Force Monitor responsibilities; inclusion of Force Support Squadron (FSS) Commanders/Directors roles and responsibilities; and use of the SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, for all SF personnel assigned to nuclear and non-nuclear missions every 5 years to maintain security clearance eligibility.

Contents

  1. Chapter 1—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 5
  2. Chapter 2—ARMING FOR OFFICIAL DUTIESp. 7
  3. Chapter 3—USE OF FORCE GUIDANCEp. 25
  4. Chapter 4—SECURITY FORCES’ RELIABILITY STANDARDSp. 31
  5. Chapter 5—ARMING AND USE OF FORCE SUITABILITY FACTORSp. 41
  6. Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 42
  7. Attachment 3—EXAMPLE MEMORANDUM TO GAINING COMMANDERp. 51
All 41 contents entries
  1. Chapter 1—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 5
  2. 1.9. Applicabilityp. 5
  3. 1.10. General Guidancep. 6
  4. Chapter 2—ARMING FOR OFFICIAL DUTIESp. 7
  5. 2.1. Overviewp. 7
  6. 2.2. Bearing Firearms Factorsp. 8
  7. 2.3. Withdrawal of Authorization to Bear Firearmsp. 10
  8. 2.4. Reinstatement of Authorization to Bear Firearmsp. 13
  9. 2.5. Documenting Authorization to Bear Firearmsp. 13
  10. 2.6. Arming Plansp. 15
  11. 2.7. Arming Senior Military and Civilian Officialsp. 15
  12. 2.8. Weapons Qualification and Use of Force Training Requirementsp. 16
  13. 2.9. Transporting Firearmsp. 17
  14. 2.10. Carrying Firearms as a Passenger aboard Aircraftp. 17
  15. 2.11. Firearms as Signaling Devicesp. 17
  16. 2.12. Firearms Dischargesp. 17
  17. 2.13. Use of Force Review Boardp. 19
  18. 2.14. Non-Lethal Weaponsp. 23
  19. Chapter 3—USE OF FORCE GUIDANCEp. 25
  20. 3.1. Use of Force Proceduresp. 25
  21. 3.2. Objective Reasonableness and Totality of Circumstancesp. 25
  22. 3.3. Using Forcep. 26
  23. 3.4. Escalation or De-escalation of Forcep. 26
  24. 3.5. Tools, Tactics and Timingp. 27
  25. 3.6. Officer Perceptionp. 27
  26. 3.7. Subject Actionp. 27
  27. 3.8. Officer Responsep. 28
  28. 3.9. Excessive forcep. 28
  29. 3.10. Use of Deadly Forcep. 29
  30. 3.11. Special Considerationsp. 29
  31. 3.12. Use of Less-Lethal Forcep. 30
  32. 3.13. Vehiclesp. 30
  33. Chapter 4—SECURITY FORCES’ RELIABILITY STANDARDSp. 31
  34. 4.1. Overviewp. 31
  35. 4.2. Essential Elementsp. 32
  36. 4.3. Security Forces Retention Standardsp. 39
  37. 4.4. Nuclear Surety Dutiesp. 39
  38. Chapter 5—ARMING AND USE OF FORCE SUITABILITY FACTORSp. 41
  39. 5.1. Refer to suitability factors outlined in DoDM 5210p. 41
  40. Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 42
  41. Attachment 3—EXAMPLE MEMORANDUM TO GAINING COMMANDERp. 51

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Air Force index

REF: DAFI 31-117, effective January 28, 2025

Air Force e-Publishing — DAFI 31-117

This is an index record, not the publication. The official PDF is the authority; verify the current edition before acting.

Reviewed by Guilherme Correia · Military Toolkit editorial

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