AF Form 3594-1: 60 Year Air Force Service Certificate – Reaching 60 years of dedicated federal service is an extraordinary milestone that few achieve. For foreign national (non-U.S.) civilian employees supporting the United States Air Force, the Department of the Air Force recognizes this remarkable longevity with AF Form 3594-1, the official United States Air Force 60 Year Length of Service Certificate (foreign national employees only).
This specialized certificate honors the sustained contributions of loyal foreign national employees whose long-term service bolsters Air Force missions worldwide. It forms part of the broader Department of the Air Force (DAF) civilian length-of-service recognition program.
What Is AF Form 3594-1?
AF Form 3594-1 is the designated certificate for foreign national employees who have completed exactly 60 years of creditable federal service. It is the foreign national-specific version of AF Form 3594 (the standard 60-year certificate used for U.S. civilian employees).
The form is one in a series of length-of-service (LOS) certificates issued at major career milestones:
- 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years use paired forms (standard and -1 foreign national versions).
- 60-year and 70-year certificates follow the same pattern.
These certificates acknowledge faithful and continuous service, often calculated using the employee’s Service Computation Date (SCD) for Leave, which includes creditable federal civilian service and honorable active duty military service.
Note: The provided download links from Air Force e-Publishing (physical.pdf and physical.epub) offer access to the official fillable or printable versions of the form for authorized use.
Who Is Eligible for the 60-Year Length of Service Certificate?
Eligibility for AF Form 3594-1 is limited to foreign national (non-U.S. citizen) civilian employees of the Department of the Air Force or supporting U.S. Forces overseas. U.S. citizen civilians typically receive the standard AF Form 3594.
The DAF civilian LOS recognition program generally provides awards starting at 5-year intervals up to 50 years, then at 10-year increments (60 and 70 years). Foreign national employees receive recognition for faithful service, often beginning meaningfully at 10 years and continuing in 5-year increments in many overseas commands, with higher-year certificates like the 60-year version issued for exceptional long-term dedication.
Key points on eligibility and computation:
- Service must be creditable federal service.
- Calculation is based on the SCD for Leave.
- The program explicitly includes foreign national employees alongside U.S. civilians and Space Force Guardians.
- Local Civilian Personnel Sections (CPS) or equivalent offices usually handle verification, preparation, and coordination for presentation.
Supervisors and personnel offices should consult the latest DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451 and DAFI 36-1004 (or successor guidance) for full policy details, as these govern the prescribed forms list that includes AF Form 3594-1.
How the 60-Year Certificate Fits into Air Force Recognition Programs?
The Air Force and Department of the Air Force emphasize recognizing long and faithful service as a core element of civilian personnel programs. Length-of-service certificates like AF Form 3594-1 complement other awards, such as:
- Exemplary Civilian Service Award
- Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award
- Special Act or Service Awards
For foreign national (LN/FN) employees, many overseas bases present these certificates during formal ceremonies, often alongside lapel pins (where applicable for lower milestones) or other tokens of appreciation. Higher-year awards like 60 years typically involve senior leadership signatures and a meaningful presentation event to honor the employee’s decades of support to the U.S. mission.
This recognition reinforces loyalty, mission impact, and the vital role foreign national employees play in sustaining Air Force operations, especially at overseas installations.
How to Obtain or Request AF Form 3594-1?
- Verify Service — The employee’s servicing Civilian Personnel Office or HR specialist confirms the SCD and total creditable service.
- Prepare the Form — Use the official version from Air Force e-Publishing. The -1 variant is tailored for foreign national employees.
- Approval and Signing — Routing typically involves the supervisor, commander, or designated authority (level often escalates for 50+ year milestones).
- Presentation — Present during an appropriate ceremony to maximize the honor and motivational impact.
For the most current procedures, refer to official DAF publications on e-Publishing or local command guidance for foreign national personnel programs. Policies can vary slightly by major command (MAJCOM) or overseas location.
Why This Milestone Matters?
Achieving 60 years of service reflects not only longevity but also resilience, expertise, and deep institutional knowledge. Many foreign national employees begin their careers supporting U.S. forces abroad and continue contributing across decades of technological, operational, and geopolitical change.
The AF Form 3594-1 serves as a tangible symbol of gratitude from the United States Air Force. It publicly affirms that the employee’s dedication has helped safeguard national interests and enabled the Air Force to accomplish its global mission.
Download Official AF Form 3594-1
- Official Sources: Access the form through the Air Force e-Publishing portal (search for AF Form 3594-1 or related LOS certificates).
- Direct links (as provided): Physical PDF and EPUB version.
Always use the most recent revision from the official e-Publishing site to ensure compliance with current formatting and security standards.
Conclusion
AF Form 3594-1 represents the pinnacle of length-of-service recognition for foreign national civilian employees of the United States Air Force. Whether you are a supervisor preparing to honor a long-serving team member, an HR professional processing the request, or an employee nearing this rare milestone, understanding the form and process ensures the recognition is handled with the dignity it deserves.
For the latest policy, always consult DAFI 36-1004, DoDI 1400.25 Volume 451, and your local Civilian Personnel Section. These extraordinary contributions deserve to be celebrated—60 years is a legacy worth honoring.
This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force publications as of 2026. Policies and procedures are subject to change; verify with official sources for your specific situation.