DAFI 51-509: APPOINTMENT TO AND ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND

DAFI 51-509 — index record

Number	DAFI 51-509
Title	APPOINTMENT TO AND ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND
Published	December 28, 2023
Certified current	December 28, 2023
Office of primary responsibility	AF/JA
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	UpdateContact, June 26, 2024
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 (28 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This publication is available for downloading or ordering on the e- Publishing website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication

Summary of changes, as printed

This document has been substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. Major changes include clarifying authorities for when an officer designated as a medical, dental, veterinary, medical service, biomedical sciences officer, or as a nurse, may be appointed to command non- medical units; eliminating the grade limitations for section commander appointments, updating Department of the Air Force (DAF) references to reflect applicability to both United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF) personnel and clarifying the ability of USAF and the USSF to command USAF and USSF units. Moreover, it clarifies that assumption of command can occur within Air Force and Space Force elements when such elements are designated to function as a unit. Furthermore, it provides that major command (MAJCOM) commanders, as Tier-1 waiver authorities, may waive flying unit requirements as opposed to withholding those authorities to AF/A3. No additional delegation from AF/A3 of waiver authority is required. In addition, it prescribes the new DAF Form 35, Announcement of Appointment to/Assumption of Command, which simplifies the announcement process. Finally, it removes the non-authoritative civilian director authority reference chart. This chart will be issued outside the formal publication process. 1. Overview. ................................................................................................................. 4 2. Roles and Responsibilities.

Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 31
Attachment 2—INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF DAF FORM 35p. 36
Attachment 3—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR RELIEF OF COMMAND FOR CAUSEp. 46
Attachment 4—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR SUSPENSION OF COMMANDp. 48
Attachment 5—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR RELIEF OF COMMAND NOT FOR CAUSEp. 49

All 18 contents entries

1. Overviewp. 4
2. Roles and Responsibilitiesp. 4
3. Eligibility to Commandp. 6
4. Chain of Commandp. 11
5. Command and Staffp. 12
6. Succession to Commandp. 14
7. Permanent and Temporary Succession to Commandp. 17
8. Special Rules: 10 U.S.C. § 601 positions (O-9 and O-10 positions)p. 19
9. Special Rules:p. 21
10. Special Rules: Command of Flying Unitsp. 22
11. Air Reserve Component (ARC) Commandersp. 23
12. Announcement of Commandp. 24
14. Relief of Commandp. 28
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 31
Attachment 2—INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF DAF FORM 35p. 36
Attachment 3—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR RELIEF OF COMMAND FOR CAUSEp. 46
Attachment 4—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR SUSPENSION OF COMMANDp. 48
Attachment 5—SAMPLE NOTICE FOR RELIEF OF COMMAND NOT FOR CAUSEp. 49

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DAFI 51-509

DAFI 51-509 — index record

From the publication itself

Purpose, in the publication’s words

Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

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