DAFI 36-2803: MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAM

DAFI 36-2803 — index record

Number	DAFI 36-2803
Title	MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAM
Published	May 3, 2022
Certified current	January 28, 2026
Office of primary responsibility	AF/A1
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	UpdateContact, September 1, 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 (23 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 Department of the Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 36-28, Awards Program. It applies to the United States Space Force, Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the Civil Air Patrol where specified. In collaboration with the Chief of Air Force Reserve (AF/RE), the Director of the Air National Guard (NGB/CF), and the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital (SF/S1), the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1) develops personnel policy for the awards program. Ensure all records generated as a result of processes prescribed in this publication adhere to Air Force Instruction 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule, which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management System. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the office of primary responsibility (OPR) using the DAF Form 847,

Summary of changes, as printed

This interim change revises DAFI 36-2803 by incorporating changes by removing Head of Staff Office (paragraph 2.2.5.4.3) and re-establish authority for ANG (Table 2.2). It also incorporated guidance from the Secretary of War Memorandum, Requirement to Formally Present Purple Heart Medals and Valor Decorations, dated 30 September 2025. A margin bar (|) indicates newly revised material.

Chapter 1—INTRODUCTIONp. 4
1.1. General Informationp. 4
1.2. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 4
Chapter 2—OVERVIEWp. 5
2.1. Backgroundp. 5
2.2. Personal Military Decorationsp. 6
2.3. Unit Awardsp. 12
2.4. Combat Operations and Conditionsp. 13
2.5. International Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations Incidentsp. 15
2.6. Valor Decorations and Awardsp. 15
2.7. Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Awardsp. 15
2.8. Special Trophies and Awardsp. 16
2.9. Other Military Departments’ Personal Military Decorationsp. 20
2.10. US Non-Military Awardsp. 20
2.11. Foreign Awardsp. 20
2.12. Honorable Service Requirementsp. 21
Chapter 3—OTHER RECOGNITIONp. 22
3.1. Backgroundp. 22
3.2. Cold War Recognition Certificatep. 22
3.3. Military Working Dog Handler Certificate of Commendationp. 22
3.4. Atomic Veterans Service Certificatep. 22
3.5. Certificate of Commendationp. 22
3.6. Certificate of Achievementp. 22
3.7. One-Time Recognition Awardsp. 22
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 23

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DAFI 36-2803

DAFI 36-2803 — index record

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Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

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