DAF Form 3670: Monetary & Time-Off Award Nomination Guide

DAF Form 3670: Monetary & Time-Off Award Nomination Guide – U.S. Air Force supervisors and civilian personnel professionals use DAF Form 3670, titled Monetary or Time-Off Incentive Award Nomination and Approval, to nominate and approve cash awards or time-off awards for exceptional performance, special acts, or contributions that go beyond normal duties. This form serves as the official document to capture nominee details, justification, and required approvals under Department of the Air Force policy.

What Is DAF Form 3670 Used For?

The form supports the Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program, which implements DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451, and DAFI 36-1004 (updated December 2023). It streamlines nominations for two main categories of incentive awards:

  • Monetary Awards — Lump-sum cash payments (e.g., Special Act or Service Awards, On-the-Spot Awards) for one-time accomplishments, innovations, or efforts that enhance mission effectiveness, efficiency, or economy. These are funded by the unit and require resource manager validation for available funds.
  • Time-Off Awards (TOA) — Excused absence without charge to leave or loss of pay, as an alternative or complement to monetary recognition. Time-off cannot be converted to cash, is non-transferable upon separation or transfer (unless specially arranged), and has usage limits (e.g., maximum hours per year in some guidance).

These awards recognize contributions not fully covered by the annual performance appraisal or pay pool process. They motivate employees, improve retention, and align with merit system principles. Awards can combine with honorary recognitions but avoid “double-dipping” for the same accomplishment.

Note: The current form is available as a fillable PDF from official Air Force e-Publishing sources. Download it here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/form/daf3670/daf3670.pdf.

Who Uses DAF Form 3670?

  • First-line supervisors or nominating officials primarily prepare the form.
  • It applies to Department of the Air Force civilian employees (including those in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard components where applicable).
  • Approvals escalate based on award type and amount: supervisors may approve smaller time-off awards (e.g., 8 hours or less in some local guidance), while higher levels or the Approving Manager (AM) sign off on monetary awards and larger time-off awards.
  • Civilian Personnel Sections (e.g., 86 FSS) often process the approved form.

Contractors are generally ineligible for these awards.

Key Sections of DAF Form 3670

While the exact block layout is in the PDF, typical elements include:

  1. Nominee Information — Name, position, organization, grade/step, SSN or employee ID, and contact details.
  2. Award Type and Amount — Selection between monetary (specific dollar amount) or time-off (number of hours), with justification for the value.
  3. Period of Service/Accomplishment — Dates or timeframe for the recognized effort.
  4. Justification — Bullet-format narrative (typically one single-spaced page) detailing the specific act, impact (local, command, or DAF-wide), and measurable results. Strong justifications focus on mission contributions, efficiency gains, cost savings, or innovation. Avoid excessive embellishments.
  5. Citation (if required) — For certain awards presented with a certificate (e.g., alongside DAF Form 2860 or 3032). Use readable, conversational language highlighting impact without acronyms or quotes where possible.
  6. Nominating Official — Supervisor’s name, signature, title, and contact.
  7. Approval Chain (Part V) — Signatures from higher-level approvers and the Approving Manager (AM). The AM’s signature is often required before processing monetary awards.
  8. Funding Certification — For monetary awards, confirmation that funds are available.

A citation may accompany Special Act/Service Awards or when presenting a certificate.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Process DAF Form 3670?

  1. Identify the Accomplishment — Ensure it qualifies as a specific, one-time contribution beyond normal duties.
  2. Prepare the Form — Supervisor completes nominee details, selects award type, writes concise bullet justification, and drafts any required citation.
  3. Obtain Funding Validation — For monetary awards, get resource manager approval to confirm budget availability.
  4. Route for Approvals — Secure signatures through the chain. Higher dollar amounts or time-off hours may require elevated approval.
  5. Submit for Processing — After full approval (including AM sign-off for monetary awards), forward a copy to the servicing Civilian Personnel Section (e.g., via email like [email protected] at example bases). The unit retains a copy in the Supervisor-Employee Work Folder.
  6. Document and Track — Record the award appropriately in personnel systems. Employees schedule time-off with supervisor approval and track it in the automated timekeeping system.

Tips for Strong Nominations:

  • Use specific, quantifiable impacts (e.g., “Saved $X in costs” or “Improved process efficiency by Y%”).
  • Keep justification to one page in bullet format.
  • Coordinate early with HR or Civilian Personnel for local processing nuances.

Monetary vs. Time-Off Awards: Which to Choose?

  • Choose Monetary for tangible recognition when budget allows and the contribution has clear financial or operational value.
  • Choose Time-Off as a flexible, no-cost alternative or supplement, especially when cash is limited. It provides immediate work-life balance benefits.
  • Both can pair with honorary awards, but policies discourage multiple monetary awards for identical efforts.

Local bases (e.g., Ramstein, Kirtland) issue factsheets with additional processing details and limits.

  • Primary Guidance: DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451 (DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Awards) and DAFI 36-1004, Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program (18 December 2023).
  • OPM Rules: Time-off awards authorized under 5 U.S.C. § 4502(e) and 5 CFR 451; cannot be converted to cash.
  • Awards must follow merit principles and cannot reward the same accomplishment twice (e.g., with performance bonuses).

Common Questions About DAF Form 3670

Can time-off awards be transferred?
Generally no—the gaining agency is not required to honor them.

Is there a maximum award amount?
Monetary awards follow DoD/DAF limits; very large awards (e.g., over $10,000–$25,000) may require OPM or higher approval.

Who approves time-off awards?
Often the first- or second-level supervisor for smaller amounts; check local Civilian Personnel guidance.

For the most current details, consult your base Civilian Personnel Section or the full DAFI 36-1004 on e-Publishing.

Download DAF Form 3670

Access the official fillable PDF directly:
DAF Form 3670 – Monetary or Time-Off Incentive Award Nomination and Approval

Supervisors seeking to recognize outstanding civilian contributions should use this form promptly. Timely recognition boosts morale and reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to its civilian workforce—the backbone of mission success.

This article is for informational purposes and based on publicly available Department of the Air Force and OPM guidance as of 2026. Always verify with your local HR or Civilian Personnel office for base-specific procedures and the latest form version.

Related Resources:

  • DAFI 36-1004 (Civilian Recognition Program)
  • OPM Time-Off Awards Guidance
  • Base Civilian Personnel Factsheets on Monetary and Time-Off Awards

Optimize your recognition process today with proper use of DAF Form 3670.