DAFI 36-120 — index record
| Number | DAFI 36-120 |
|---|---|
| Title | CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE SHAPING POLICY GUIDANCE FOR REDUCTION IN FORCE AND TRANSFER OF FUNCTION |
| Published | May 5, 2026 |
| Certified current | May 5, 2026 |
| Office of primary responsibility | AF/A1 |
| Issued by | Headquarters, Department of the Air Force |
| Status on the index | Current |
| Last index action | AC, June 9, 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 (16 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) 36-1, Appropriated Funds Civilian Management and Administration, and is consistent with Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1400.25, Volume 351, DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Reduction in Force. This publication applies to Appropriated Fund Title 5 employees, Title 10 employees, Air Force Reserve Command employees, Air National Guard employees, and employees of Combatant Commands (CCMDs) supported by the United States Air Force (USAF) or United States Space Force (USSF). The Chief of the National Guard Bureau will determine the extent to which this Instruction will apply to the Title 5 U.S.C. civilians of the National Guard Bureau or whether they will be governed by separate regulations issued by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. It does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service, Non- Appropriated Fund employees, Title 32 Air National Guard Technicians and employees covered
Summary of changes, as printed
This revision adds a glossary of terms, including clarification of pre-Reduction in Force (RIF) responsibilities, adds a list of office symbols, eliminates obsolete references, and makes administrative corrections throughout.
Contents
- Chapter 2—GENERAL GUIDANCEp. 5
- Chapter 3—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 6
- Chapter 4—REDUCTION IN FORCEp. 9
- Chapter 5—TRANSFER OF FUNCTION (TOF)p. 12
- Chapter 6—SEPARATION INCENTIVESp. 13
- Attachment 2—SAMPLE REDUCTION IN FORCE REQUEST MEMORANDUMp. 17
All 24 contents entries
- 1.1. Overviewp. 4
- 1.2. Department of the Air Force Guidancep. 4
- Chapter 2—GENERAL GUIDANCEp. 5
- 2.1. Approving Authorityp. 5
- 2.2. Consider Using Workforce Shaping Toolsp. 5
- 2.3. Outplacement Assistancep. 5
- Chapter 3—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 6
- 3.1. Civilian Force Management Directorate (AF/A1C):p. 6
- 3.2. Civilian Policy and Management (SF/S1C):p. 6
- 3.3. Human Resource Service Providers (AFPC, AFMC, ETMO):p. 6
- 3.4. Civilian Personnel Section (CPS):p. 6
- 3.5. Commanders and Management Officials:p. 7
- Chapter 4—REDUCTION IN FORCEp. 9
- 4.2. Competitive Areasp. 9
- 4.3. Competitive Levelsp. 9
- 4.4. Retention Standingp. 10
- 4.5. RIF Assignment Rightsp. 10
- 4.6. Alternative Offersp. 11
- 4.7. Use of Vacanciesp. 11
- 4.8. Qualification Determinationsp. 11
- Chapter 5—TRANSFER OF FUNCTION (TOF)p. 12
- 5.6. Employees who decline TOF outside the commuting area willp. 12
- Chapter 6—SEPARATION INCENTIVESp. 13
- Attachment 2—SAMPLE REDUCTION IN FORCE REQUEST MEMORANDUMp. 17
Other DAFI publications nearby in the series
- DAFI 36-116CIVILIAN FACULTY PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT2018-12-28
- DAFI 36-117CIVILIAN HUMAN CAPITAL FRAMEWORK2022-12-09
- DAFI 36-128PAY SETTING AND ALLOWANCES2026-01-09
- DAFI 36-129CIVILIAN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION2023-04-06
- DAFI 36-130CIVILIAN FORCE RENEWAL, INTERN, AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS2025-11-21
- DAFI 36-134LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS2026-03-23
- DAFI 36-1101DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS)2022-09-30
- DAFI 36-1401CIVILIAN POSITION CLASSIFICATION2023-05-22
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