DAF Form 1307: Air & Space Command Civilian Award for Valor

DAF Form 1307: Air & Space Command Civilian Award for Valor – The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Form 1307 is the official certificate used to present the Air and Space Command Civilian Award for Valor. This honorary award recognizes Department of the Air Force civilian employees who demonstrate unusual courage or competence while assisting others during an emergency—either on or off duty. It honors acts of bravery that warrant special recognition but do not rise to the level of the higher Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor (typically documented on DAF Form 1306).

U.S. Air Force and Space Force civilian personnel and their supervisors often search for details on this award when preparing nominations for heroic actions in crises. This guide covers eligibility, criteria, the nomination process, differences from similar awards, and how to access DAF Form 1307.

What Is the Air and Space Command Civilian Award for Valor?

This award highlights civilian contributions involving demonstrated courage in emergency situations. It is a command-level recognition, positioned below the Secretary-level Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor but above routine achievement awards.

Key distinctions:

Air and Space Civilian Award for Valor (DAF Form 1306): For acts involving voluntary risk of personal safety and heroism beyond the call of duty (e.g., entering a burning aircraft to rescue victims). Approved at higher levels, such as by the Chief of Staff or major commanders.
Air and Space Command Civilian Award for Valor (DAF Form 1307): For unusual courage or competence in emergencies that may not involve extreme personal risk but still merit recognition (e.g., calmly supervising an evacuation during a fire, maintaining order, or taking decisive life-saving actions). It focuses on actions in support of others during crises, on or off duty.

The award typically includes a silver medal featuring an eagle superimposed over a pyramid with “VALOR” inscribed, along with a laurel wreath. The ribbon is light blue with a dark red vertical stripe flanked by thinner yellow stripes. Recipients also receive the DAF Form 1307 certificate and may be eligible for a lapel emblem.

Sample citation language from official guidance (DAFI 36-1004 incorporating DoDI 1400.25 Volume 451):

“In recognition of [his or her] act of courage [at or near] (location), (country), on (date). On that date, (narrative description). The exemplary courage displayed by Mr. Doe reflected great credit upon himself and the Department of the Air Force.”

Citations should be concise (typically no more than 9 lines in landscape format), factual, and avoid acronyms.

Eligibility and Criteria

Eligible recipients include Department of the Air Force civilian employees (as defined under relevant federal statutes) who perform acts demonstrating courage or effective response in emergencies. This can occur:

On duty or off duty.
In support of DAF missions or unrelated to official duties, as long as the action assists others in a crisis.

The act must show unusual courage or competence beyond normal expectations but does not need to involve the same level of voluntary life risk as the higher valor award. Group awards are possible when collective efforts meet the criteria. Posthumous awards are authorized.

Criteria are governed by DoDI 1400.25, Volume 451 and its DAF implementation DAFI 36-1004 (updated December 18, 2023). Awards should recognize contributions not fully covered in routine performance evaluations.

Nomination and Approval Process

Nominations for DAF civilian awards generally flow through the chain of command. Supervisors or individuals with direct knowledge of the act prepare the package, including a detailed narrative of the event.

Form: Use DAF Form 1307 for the certificate. Supporting documentation (e.g., eyewitness statements, incident reports) strengthens the package.
Citation: Prepare in Times New Roman (or similar), landscape format, with specific, factual details limited to the single act or short period.
Approval Authority: Typically at the major command (MAJCOM) level or equivalent (e.g., commander or civilian director at colonel or higher level), depending on local delegation. It is lower than Secretary or Chief of Staff approvals required for the top valor award.

Contact your local Civilian Personnel Section (CPS) or Human Resources for command-specific guidance, processing timelines, and templates. All levels of command are expected to support the DAF awards program actively.

Download DAF Form 1307:

Official forms and the governing instruction (DAFI 36-1004) are available on the Department of the Air Force e-Publishing website.

Why This Award Matters?

Civilian employees play critical roles in supporting Air Force and Space Force operations, often stepping up in unpredictable emergencies. The Air and Space Command Civilian Award for Valor publicly recognizes their bravery and quick thinking, boosting morale and setting examples for the workforce. It fits within the broader DAF Civilian Recognition Program, which includes monetary and honorary awards for various levels of achievement.

Recent policy updates in DAFI 36-1004 emphasize consistent, fair recognition across grades and responsibilities, with clear citation standards to maintain the program’s integrity.

How to Proceed?

Document the incident thoroughly with dates, locations, actions taken, and outcomes.
Consult your supervisor and Civilian Personnel Office for nomination support.
Prepare the citation and complete DAF Form 1307 per DAFI 36-1004 guidelines.
Submit through your chain of command for review and approval.

For the most current details, always refer to the latest version of DoDI 1400.25 Volume 451 and DAFI 36-1004 on the official e-Publishing site, as policies can be updated.

Honoring civilian valor strengthens the Department of the Air Force’s mission readiness and reflects the dedication of its non-uniformed workforce. If you or someone you know performed an act of courage in an emergency, discuss nomination with your leadership today.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force guidance as of 2026. For official advice, contact your servicing Civilian Personnel Section.