AF Form 628: Diet Instruction & Assessment Authorization – AF Form 628, officially titled Diet Instruction/Assessment Authorization, is a key document in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service. It authorizes and documents nutrition assessments, dietary instructions, and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for service members, ensuring they receive personalized guidance to support health, fitness, weight management, and operational readiness.
Active-duty Air Force members, their families, and authorized civilians at military treatment facilities (MTFs) commonly use this form as part of nutritional medicine programs.
What Is AF Form 628 Used For?
Credentialed Registered Dietitians (RDs) primarily use AF Form 628 to:
- Evaluate and authorize diet therapists or technicians to provide nutrition screenings, assessments, progress notes, and individual/group/family education.
- Document specific diet instructions tailored to medical needs (e.g., weight management, diabetes, cardiovascular health, or performance optimization).
- Define the scope of practice and supervision level for diet therapy personnel.
Authorizations remain valid for up to two years, with reauthorization required for significant changes in materials or practices. Exceptions need approval from the Major Command (MAJCOM) Dietitian.
This form supports broader Air Force goals under AFMAN 44-144, Nutritional Medicine (20 January 2016), which guides nutrition education, MNT, and resource management in MTFs.
Who Needs AF Form 628?
- Air Force service members referred for dietary counseling, often through weight management programs (e.g., under related fitness and health promotion instructions).
- Diet therapy craftsmen/technicians seeking credentialing for specific diets listed in the Diet Counseling Authorization Guide (Attachment 2 to AFMAN 44-144).
- Patients in MTFs requiring therapeutic diets during inpatient or outpatient care.
It plays a vital role in maintaining physical standards, supporting recovery, and enhancing mission performance.
How to Obtain and Use AF Form 628?
- Download the Official Form: Access the current version directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site:
Download AF Form 628 PDF - Completion Process: A credentialed RD typically completes the form after assessment. It includes:
- Patient/service member information.
- Authorized diet instructions.
- Scope of practice for the diet therapist.
- Signatures and dates for authorization.
- Where to Get Help: Visit your local MTF Nutritional Medicine Service or consult the base dietitian. Forms integrate with clinical workflows in facilities using systems like Computrition for patient feeding and education.
Note: Always use the most current edition from official e-Publishing sources to ensure compliance.
Why AF Form 628 Matters for Air Force Readiness?
Proper nutrition directly impacts fitness test performance, injury recovery, and deployment readiness. The form ensures standardized, evidence-based dietary support across the Air Force, aligning with DoD nutrition policies and health promotion initiatives.
For diet technicians, it formalizes their ability to deliver MNT under RD supervision, improving efficiency in busy MTFs.
Related Air Force Nutrition Resources
- AFMAN 44-144: Core guidance for Nutritional Medicine operations.
- Weight Management and Health Promotion programs (cross-reference AFI 40-502 and related instructions).
- Other forms: AF Form 1094 (Diet Order), AF Form 2573 (Diet Census), etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is AF Form 628 only for active duty?
A: It primarily supports Air Force active-duty personnel and MTF patients, but related services may extend to dependents.
Q: How long is authorization valid?
A: Up to two years, subject to reauthorization if practices change.
Q: Where can I find fillable instructions?
A: Refer to AFMAN 44-144 and your MTF dietitian. Official fillable PDFs are available on e-Publishing.
Q: Can civilians use it?
A: Primarily for authorized military nutrition services; contact your MTF for eligibility.
For the latest official guidance, visit the Air Force e-Publishing website and search for AF Form 628 or AFMAN 44-144.
This article provides general information based on publicly available Air Force publications as of 2026. Always consult your chain of command or MTF for personalized advice and the most current forms.