DAFI 36-2685: TOTAL FORCE ENLISTED DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

DAFI 36-2685 — index record

Number	DAFI 36-2685
Title	TOTAL FORCE ENLISTED DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION
Published	March 20, 2026
Certified current	March 20, 2026
Office of primary responsibility	AF/A1
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	UpdateContact, August 11, 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 (34 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) 36-26, Total Force Development and Management. It establishes the roles, responsibilities, and processes for Total Force Enlisted Developmental Education, which include but is not limited to Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME), Professional Continuing Education (PCE), Education With Industry (EWI), and advanced academic degrees. This publication applies to the entire Department of the Air Force (DAF), including all uniformed Airmen and Guardians of the Regular Air Force (RegAF), United States Space Force (USSF), Air Force Reserve (AFR) and Air National Guard (ANG), except where noted otherwise, all DAF civilian employees, and those with a contractual obligation to abide by the terms of DAF issuances. This instruction requires the collection and/or maintenance of information protected by the Privacy Act of 1974 authorized by Title 5 (USC) Section (§) 552a, Records Maintained on Individuals, 10 USC § 9013, Secretary of

Summary of changes, as printed

This document has been substantially revised and needs to be completely reviewed. Major changes include updates to Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) scheduling priorities, updates roles and responsibilities for various echelons. Authorized EPME deferments have been updated subsequent EPME deferments require NAF or equivalent signature. Requirements for utilizing Distance Learning for EPME completion are outlined for specific reasons.

Chapter 1—DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION OVERVIEWp. 5
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 6
Chapter 3—ENLISTED AIRMANSHIP CONTINUUM (100-900)p. 14
Chapter 4—DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION ACADEMIC DEGREES & PROGRAMSp. 26
Chapter 5—AIR FORCE RESERVE ENLISTED EDUCATIONp. 28
Chapter 6—AIR NATIONAL GUARD EPME AND DEVELOPMENTp. 31
Chapter 7—INSTALLATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSp. 33
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 39

All 54 contents entries

Chapter 1—DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION OVERVIEWp. 5
1.1. Overviewp. 5
1.2. Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) Intentp. 5
1.3. Leadership Support for Force Developmentp. 5
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 6
2.5. Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC):p. 7
2.6. Air Education and Training Command (AETC):p. 7
2.7. Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM):p. 8
2.8. Air University:p. 8
2.10. Air Force Reserve:p. 10
2.11. Air National Guard:p. 11
2.12. Wing/Delta Commander or Equivalent (RegAF):p. 12
2.13. Force Support Squadrons (RegAF):p. 12
2.14. Unit Commander or Civilian Equivalent:p. 12
2.15. Selected Individuals:p. 13
Chapter 3—ENLISTED AIRMANSHIP CONTINUUM (100-900)p. 14
3.1. Overviewp. 14
3.2. Foundations Course Eligibilityp. 14
3.3. EPME Eligibilityp. 15
3.4. Foundations Course Selection and Schedulingp. 16
3.5. Foundations Course Trackingp. 16
3.6. Resident EPME Selectionp. 16
3.7. Resident EPME Schedulingp. 17
3.8. EPME Declinationsp. 19
3.9. EPME Defermentsp. 20
3.10. Waivers to Attend EPMEp. 21
3.11. EPME Achievement Awardsp. 22
3.12. EPME Graduate Ribbonp. 22
3.13. Enlisted Professional Military Education Biennial Reviewp. 22
3.14. Joint and Sister Service EPMEp. 23
Chapter 4—DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION ACADEMIC DEGREES & PROGRAMSp. 26
4.1. Overviewp. 26
4.2. Enlisted to AFITp. 26
4.3. Enlisted EWIp. 26
4.4. Legislative Fellows Programp. 27
4.5. Senior Leader Development Courses (SLDC)p. 27
Chapter 5—AIR FORCE RESERVE ENLISTED EDUCATIONp. 28
5.1. Overviewp. 28
5.2. Miscellaneous Air Force Reserve-specific EPME policiesp. 28
5.3. Air Force Reserve DLp. 28
5.4. Resident AFR EPMEp. 28
Chapter 6—AIR NATIONAL GUARD EPME AND DEVELOPMENTp. 31
6.1. Overviewp. 31
6.2. EPME Expectationsp. 31
6.3. Miscellaneous ANG-specific EPME policiesp. 31
6.4. Resident EPMEp. 31
Chapter 7—INSTALLATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMSp. 33
7.1. Overviewp. 33
7.2. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 33
7.3. Development Advisors:p. 34
7.4. Enlisted Professional Development Programsp. 35
7.5. Required Reportsp. 37
7.6. Resourcesp. 38
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 39

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DAFI 36-2685

DAFI 36-2685 — index record

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Contents

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