DAF Form 1306: Air & Space Civilian Award for Valor Guide – The Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor stands as one of the highest honors a Department of the Air Force (DAF) civilian employee can receive. It recognizes extraordinary acts of heroism involving voluntary risk of personal safety in the face of danger, whether on or off duty. Supervisors and HR professionals use DAF Form 1306 (and its variant DAF Form 1306A for two signature lines) to nominate deserving civilians for this prestigious recognition.
This award highlights the critical role DAF civilians play in supporting Air Force and Space Force missions, often going far beyond their normal responsibilities to save lives or protect others.
What Is the Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor?
The Secretary of the Air Force authorizes the Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor (sometimes still referred to in older documents as the Air Force Civilian Award for Valor). It specifically honors DAF civilian employees who demonstrate great courage and voluntarily place themselves in harm’s way.
Typical qualifying acts include entering a burning aircraft or vehicle to rescue trapped individuals, intervening in life-threatening emergencies, or performing other heroic actions that involve clear personal risk unrelated to combat duties.
A lower-tier counterpart, the Air and Space Command Civilian Award for Valor (nominated via DAF Form 1307), recognizes courageous acts in emergencies that do not fully meet the higher threshold of voluntary life risk.
Key benefits of the award include:
- A formal citation certificate (DAF Form 1306).
- Medal and ribbon set (gold-colored lapel emblem available).
- Optional honorarium (up to $1,000 in some cases).
- Public recognition that reflects great credit upon the individual and the Department of the Air Force.
The standard closing citation language emphasizes: “This single act of compassion for mankind of Mr./Ms. [Name] reflects great credit upon himself/herself and the Department of the Air Force.”
Eligibility Criteria for the Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor
Eligibility is open to DAF civilian employees (as defined under 5 U.S.C. § 2105) who perform an act of heroism involving voluntary risk of personal safety beyond the call of duty. The act can occur on or off the job and does not need to relate directly to official duties, as long as it demonstrates exceptional bravery.
Examples of qualifying actions (from official guidance):
- Approaching or entering a burning aircraft to rescue trapped victims.
- Heroic intervention in a life-threatening emergency where the individual knowingly risks serious injury or death.
Nominations should focus on a single act or specific incident rather than sustained performance. Posthumous awards are authorized, and group nominations are possible when multiple civilians contribute to the heroic effort.
Note: Routine duties, even if performed exceptionally well, do not qualify. The award emphasizes voluntary risk and heroism above and beyond expectations.
How to Nominate Someone Using DAF Form 1306?
The nomination process follows Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 36-1004, Civilian Recognition Program (updated December 18, 2023, incorporating DoDI 1400.25 Volume 451).
Typical steps include:
- Supervisor or nominator prepares the package — Use DAF Form 1306 as the citation certificate. Include a detailed narrative of the heroic act with specific dates, locations, and outcomes. An AF Form 1768 (Staff Summary Sheet) or electronic equivalent often accompanies the nomination to route it through the chain of command.
- Gather supporting documentation — Eyewitness statements, police or incident reports, photos (if appropriate), and any other evidence that clearly demonstrates the voluntary risk and heroism.
- Route through proper channels — Submit via the civilian personnel section (CPS) and chain of command. For the highest-level valor award, final approval authority rests with the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF), with recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force Decorations Board (except for certain senior executives or political appointees).
- Timeline — Submit nominations promptly, ideally within six months of the incident for timely recognition, though there is no strict universal cutoff.
- Download the form — Official fillable versions of DAF Form 1306 and DAF Form 1306A are available from Air Force e-Publishing:
Always use the most current version from www.e-publishing.af.mil to ensure compliance.
Sample citation structure (from DAFI 36-1004): “In recognition of [his or her] [heroic action or act of bravery] as [position], [unit], on [date]. On that date, [detailed narrative]. This single act of compassion for mankind of [Mr. or Ms.] [Name] reflects great credit upon [himself or herself] and the Department of the Air Force.”
Approval Authorities and Processing
- Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor — Typically requires Secretary of the Air Force approval (highest level).
- Command-level Valor Award — Approved at Major Command (MAJCOM) or equivalent levels.
The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) and local Civilian Personnel Sections play key roles in processing and guidance. Check your installation’s CPS factsheet for local procedures, as some commands issue additional delegation memos.
Why This Award Matters?
In an era when DAF civilians support complex global operations for both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, the Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor publicly acknowledges those rare moments of selfless bravery that embody the DAF core values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence.
Receiving this award not only honors the individual but also boosts morale across the civilian workforce and reinforces a culture that values courage and compassion.
How to Get Started?
If you are a supervisor who has witnessed or been informed of a qualifying heroic act by a DAF civilian:
- Contact your local Civilian Personnel Section immediately for guidance.
- Prepare a strong narrative supported by facts.
- Download DAF Form 1306 from the official e-Publishing links above.
- Route the package through your chain of command.
For the most current policy, refer directly to DoDI 1400.25 Volume 451 and DAFI 36-1004 on the Air Force e-Publishing website.
Honoring everyday heroes — The Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor ensures that acts of extraordinary courage by DAF civilians are never overlooked. If you know someone whose bravery deserves recognition, starting the nomination process with DAF Form 1306 is the first step toward official acknowledgment from the Secretary of the Air Force.
This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force guidance as of 2023–2026. Always consult your servicing Civilian Personnel Section and the latest official publications for specific nomination requirements.