DAF Form 78: General Officer Promotion Recommendation (GO PRF) – The Department of the Air Force uses DAF Form 78 as a critical tool in the general officer promotion process. Senior leaders rely on this form, officially titled Department of the Air Force General Officer Promotion Recommendation, to document performance assessments and provide promotion recommendations for officers in or approaching general officer grades (typically O-7 and above, such as brigadier general and major general).
This form serves as the General Officer Promotion Recommendation Form (GO PRF) and helps central selection boards evaluate an officer’s demonstrated leadership, character, competence, and potential for increased responsibility in the Department of the Air Force (including the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force where applicable).
Purpose of DAF Form 78
DAF Form 78 documents senior rater evaluations specifically for general officer promotions. Unlike standard officer performance reports (OPRs) or the AF Form 709 Promotion Recommendation Form used for lower grades, the GO PRF focuses on high-level strategic leadership potential.
Key purposes include:
- Capturing a senior rater’s assessment of the officer’s performance in current duties.
- Providing a clear promotion recommendation to assist promotion boards.
- Supporting the overall officer selection record (OSR) reviewed by central selection boards convened under authorities such as DAFI 36-2501 (Officer Promotions and Selective Continuation).
Promotion to general officer ranks is highly competitive and based on the needs of the DAF, future potential rather than solely past service, and rigorous board review. The form helps differentiate top performers among a small pool of highly qualified colonels and brigadier generals.
Who Uses DAF Form 78?
- Senior raters (typically general officers or designated senior leaders) complete the form.
- It applies primarily to officers being considered for promotion to brigadier general (O-7) and higher.
- The form integrates into the evaluation systems governed by DAFI 36-2406 (Officer and Enlisted Evaluations Systems), which details procedures for completing it.
Eligibility for consideration follows DAFI 36-2501 and related guidance for Regular Air Force (RegAF) officers. Air Force Reserve (AFR) and Air National Guard (ANG) processes have separate or supplemental rules under DAFI 36-2504.
Key Features and Structure of the Form
DAF Form 78 is a standardized fillable PDF available through official Air Force e-Publishing channels. The latest version can be downloaded here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/form/daf78/daf78.pdf.
Typical sections (based on standard Air Force evaluation forms and references in DAFI 36-2406) include:
- Identification blocks: Name, SSN (or DoD ID), grade, duty title, organization, and period covered.
- Performance assessment: Narrative comments on leadership, mission impact, strategic contributions, and character.
- Promotion recommendation: Specific language or checkboxes indicating strong support (e.g., “Promote,” stratification relative to peers, or other board-relevant endorsements).
- Senior rater comments: Space for differentiated assessment of potential for the next higher grade.
- Signatures and concurrence: Required endorsements from the senior rater and any additional reviewers.
Instructions for completion are detailed in DAFI 36-2406, Chapter 7 (or the relevant section on GO PRFs), which provides block-by-block guidance, mandatory statements, and rules for comments. Senior raters must focus on performance-based differentiation, avoid repeating information already in the record, and align with the Secretary of the Air Force’s Memorandum of Instruction (MOI) for the specific board.
Important notes:
- Comments must be factual, objective, and focused on potential for greater responsibility.
- Adverse information, if applicable, requires specific handling and mandatory comments in many cases.
- The form supports stratification (ranking relative to peers) where authorized, helping boards identify the strongest candidates.
How DAF Form 78 Fits into the General Officer Promotion Process?
- Eligibility determination — Managed under DAFI 36-2501 for RegAF officers. Boards consider time-in-grade, performance history, and DAF needs.
- Record preparation — Includes recent evaluations, duty qualification history, awards, and the DAF Form 78.
- Board review — Central selection boards (convened by the Secretary of the Air Force) review the full record. The GO PRF provides the senior rater’s direct input on promotion potential.
- Selection and nomination — Selected officers are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for promotion to general officer grades.
- Post-board actions — Includes selective continuation, removal from promotion lists if needed, or other propriety actions.
The process emphasizes “best and fully qualified” officers for positions of increased responsibility. Promotion is not a reward but a reflection of the DAF’s future requirements.
Tips for Senior Raters and Officers
- Senior raters: Follow DAFI 36-2406 instructions precisely. Use the form to provide meaningful differentiation. Be concise, specific, and forward-looking. Ensure compliance with board-specific MOIs.
- Officers under consideration: Maintain an exceptional performance record across evaluations, assignments, and leadership roles. Understand that general officer promotion is extremely competitive and depends heavily on senior rater advocacy and overall file strength.
- Common pitfalls to avoid: Summarizing the record instead of adding value; including prohibited comments; or failing to address adverse information when required.
Always consult the most current version of DAFI 36-2406 (available on e-Publishing) and DAFI 36-2501 for detailed procedures, as guidance is periodically updated.
Download the Official Form
Access the current DAF Form 78 directly from the official source:
Download DAF Form 78 PDF
For the full instructions, refer to DAFI 36-2406, Officer and Enlisted Evaluations Systems on the Air Force e-Publishing website (www.e-publishing.af.mil).
Additional Resources
- DAFI 36-2501: Officer Promotions and Selective Continuation
- Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) promotions page
- MyVector or vMPF for officers preparing records
Note: This article provides general information based on publicly available Department of the Air Force instructions as of 2026. Policies can change. Always verify the latest guidance through official .mil channels or your servicing Force Support Squadron / Personnel office. This is not legal or official DAF advice.