AF Form 3968: USAF Volunteer Excellence Award Certificate

AF Form 3968: USAF Volunteer Excellence Award Certificate – The United States Air Force values the selfless contributions of volunteers who strengthen military communities. One key way the USAF recognizes exceptional volunteer service is through the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award (VEA), officially documented on AF Form 3968, the USAF Volunteer Excellence Award Certificate.

This certificate is exclusively issued to Military and Family Readiness Centers (M&FRCs), formerly known as Family Support Centers. It serves as a formal, prestigious acknowledgment for outstanding volunteer efforts that support the well-being of Airmen, Guardians, and their families.

What Is the Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award (VEA)?

The Volunteer Excellence Award recognizes federal civilians, family members of military or federal personnel, military retirees, and federal retirees who deliver outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature.

Eligibility requires that the volunteer work:

  • Occurs in the local civilian community or the military family community.
  • Produces tangible results and reflects positively on the United States Air Force.
  • Is performed voluntarily, without tasking or personal gain (e.g., not part of official duties).

Examples include long-term service as a Key Spouse, involvement in family readiness programs, youth mentoring through scouting or base programs, or sustained support for military family events and crisis assistance. The award highlights service that goes “above and beyond” routine contributions.

Note: Active duty military members are generally not eligible for the VEA; they may qualify for the separate Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) instead.

Purpose and Significance of AF Form 3968

AF Form 3968 is the official certificate used to present the Volunteer Excellence Award. It symbolizes the Air Force’s gratitude for volunteers whose efforts enhance morale, family resilience, and community cohesion across installations worldwide.

Approved awards are prepared on this form for formal presentation to recipients, often during annual volunteer recognition events held around National Volunteer Week. The program is a commander’s program, with wing commanders typically holding approval authority delegated from the Air Force Chief of Staff.

Only Military and Family Readiness Centers can order and issue AF Form 3968, ensuring centralized control and proper documentation.

How to Nominate Someone for the USAF Volunteer Excellence Award?

Nominations for the VEA typically follow these steps:

  1. Submit a nomination — Anyone can nominate (self-nominations are often accepted), but the package usually requires verification by the nominee’s volunteer supervisor or the organization where service was performed.
  2. Provide detailed documentation — Include a narrative (often one page, results-oriented) describing the volunteer’s contributions, organizations served, positions held, dates, hours contributed, leadership, innovation, and measurable impact.
  3. Meet local deadlines — Bases often align nominations with National Volunteer Week (usually in April). Check with your local M&FRC for specific forms, deadlines, and submission instructions (e.g., via email to the volunteer coordinator).
  4. Selection and approval — A selection board or commander reviews nominations. Approved awards are prepared on AF Form 3968.

Many bases use a standardized cover sheet and nomination form. Some accept or require an AF Form 1206 style narrative for consistency. Direct, fact-filled descriptions emphasizing tangible benefits and extraordinary effort perform best.

Contact your installation’s Military and Family Readiness Center for current nomination guidance, templates, and eligibility details specific to your base.

Download AF Form 3968

You can download the official AF Form 3968 (USAF Volunteer Excellence Award Certificate) from the Air Force e-Publishing site:

Important: These forms are for official use. Only authorized M&FRC personnel should order and issue the physical certificates.

For the full governing instruction, refer to DAFI 36-3009, Military and Family Readiness Centers, which includes Attachment 2 with detailed guidance on the Volunteer Excellence Award.

Why Volunteer Recognition Matters in the Air Force?

Volunteers play a critical role in military family readiness. Their efforts support everything from deployment assistance and crisis response to youth programs and spouse employment initiatives. The VEA and AF Form 3968 help sustain this vital force multiplier by publicly honoring those who invest their time and talents.

Recognizing volunteers boosts morale, encourages continued service, and highlights the strong partnership between the Air Force and its surrounding communities.

Get Involved or Nominate a Deserving Volunteer

If you or someone you know has contributed significantly through volunteer service:

  • Reach out to your local Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) or Airman & Family Readiness Center.
  • Ask about current volunteer opportunities and the annual VEA nomination process.
  • Track your volunteer hours — many bases report total hours community-wide and use them for impact reporting.

For the most current information, always consult your installation’s M&FRC or official Air Force publications, as local procedures can vary slightly while following DAFI 36-3009 guidance.

Celebrate excellence in volunteerism — the USAF Volunteer Excellence Award on AF Form 3968 is more than a certificate; it is a lasting tribute to the individuals who make military life stronger for everyone.

Keywords: AF Form 3968, USAF Volunteer Excellence Award, Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award Certificate, Military Family Readiness Center volunteer award, VEA nomination, Air Force volunteer recognition.

Last updated with information from official DAFI 36-3009 and base-level guidance as of 2026.