DAF Form 3671: Referral Bonus Certification Guide (2026) – If you’re a current Department of the Air Force (DAF) civilian employee looking to earn a referral bonus by recommending qualified candidates for hard-to-fill or mission-critical positions, DAF Form 3671 is the key document you need. Officially titled Referral Bonus Candidate Referral Certification, this form certifies that a DAF employee referred a candidate who was later selected and hired.
The form supports the DAF’s efforts to attract top talent to challenging roles while rewarding employees who help strengthen the civilian workforce.
What Is DAF Form 3671?
DAF Form 3671 is the official certification used in the Department of the Air Force’s referral bonus program for civilian recruitment and hiring. It documents the referral relationship between a current DAF civilian employee (the referrer) and the job candidate (the referred applicant).
- Referring employee completes Section I.
- Referred candidate completes Section II.
The completed and signed form is submitted during the hiring process, typically after a Tentative Job Offer (TJO) is extended, to verify eligibility for the bonus.
Download the latest DAF Form 3671 PDF here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/form/daf3671/daf3671.pdf
This form is referenced directly in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451 / DAFI 36-1004, the Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program.
Purpose of the Referral Bonus Program
The DAF referral bonus program incentivizes current civilian employees to help fill hard-to-fill, mission-critical occupations (MCOs). These positions are often in specialized technical, scientific, engineering, or operational support roles critical to Air Force and Space Force readiness.
Referral bonuses are:
- Discretionary — not an entitlement.
- Paid at management’s discretion, often as a lump sum or in increments (e.g., at hire and after probationary period).
- Governed by DoD policy and DAF-specific guidance in Appendix 7 of DAFI 36-1004.
- Aimed at improving recruitment for positions listed on the DAF’s mission-critical occupations roster.
Major commands like Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) have implemented detailed guidance, including timelines for form submission and approval processes.
Who Can Receive a Referral Bonus?
Eligible referrers are generally current DAF civilian employees who:
- Are eligible for monetary awards under DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451.
- Remain employed on the new hire’s Entrance on Duty (EOD) date.
Ineligible individuals typically include:
- Human resources practitioners, organizational HR liaisons, and functional recruiters.
- Hiring managers, selecting officials, or anyone directly involved in the selection and appointment of the candidate.
The referred candidate must apply to an eligible position while the announcement is open, be selected, and successfully onboard.
How to Use DAF Form 3671? (Step-by-Step)
- Identify an eligible position — Check if the job is designated as hard-to-fill or in a mission-critical occupation. Announcements often note referral bonus eligibility.
- Make the referral — Encourage qualified candidates to apply through official USAJOBS or DAF channels.
- After TJO is issued — The hiring process will request the referred candidate to submit the certification form within a specified timeframe.
- Complete the form:
- Section I (Referring Employee): Provide your name, contact information, position details, and certify the referral relationship.
- Section II (Candidate): Confirm you were referred by the named employee and provide your details.
- Submission — Return the signed form to the HR liaison or staffing team as instructed in the TJO.
- Approval — The hiring manager or HR provides the completed form to an authorized management official (usually one level above the hiring manager) for review and justification. The bonus is then processed if approved.
Tip: Submit the form promptly. Late submissions may disqualify the referral from bonus consideration.
Key Regulations and References
- DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451 — DoD Civilian Personnel Management: Awards.
- DAFI 36-1004 (DoDI 1400.25V451_DAFI36-1004) — Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program (December 2023). This is the primary governing document that adds DAF-specific referral bonus policy in its appendices.
- AFMC Referral Bonus Guide (April 2024) — Provides command-specific procedures, eligibility, and form usage examples.
- Air Force e-Publishing site for official forms and publications.
Always verify the most current guidance through your local Civilian Personnel Section (CPS) or myFSS, as implementation can vary slightly by command or installation.
Why Referral Bonuses Matter for DAF Civilian Careers?
The program helps the Department of the Air Force compete for talent in a tight labor market while engaging its existing workforce in recruitment. Employees who successfully refer candidates can earn meaningful monetary recognition, and the organization gains skilled personnel faster.
Note: Bonuses are subject to funding availability and command policies. Not every position or referral qualifies.
How to Get Started?
- Visit the official DAF Form 3671 download link provided above.
- Review your command’s referral bonus guidance (e.g., AFMC employees should consult the latest AFMC Referral Bonus Guide).
- Contact your servicing Civilian Personnel Section or HR specialist for position-specific eligibility and processing details.
Pro Tip for DAF Employees: Mention referral bonus eligibility when networking with potential candidates to increase interest in DAF civilian opportunities.
By properly using DAF Form 3671, current Air Force and Space Force civilian employees play a direct role in building a stronger, more capable civilian workforce while potentially earning a referral bonus.
Resources:
- Official Form: DAF Form 3671 PDF
- DAFI 36-1004: Available on the Air Force e-Publishing website
- AFMC Referral Bonus Guidance: Search on media.defense.gov or myFSS
This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force and DoD guidance as of 2026. Policies can change—always consult official sources and your local HR for the latest requirements.