Theodore Von Karman Award - for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of science and engineering relating to aerospace activity by either an Air Force military member, Department of the Air Force civilian, unit, or group of individuals.
David C. Schilling Award - Recognized for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of flight, in the atmosphere or space by either an Air Force military member, Department of the Air Force civilian, unit or group of individuals.
Gill Robb Wilson Award - Recognized for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of arts and letters covering a wide range of activities including writing, speaking, media relations, sculpting, painting, by either an Air Force military member, Department of the Air Force civilian, unit, or group of individuals.
Citation of Honor - Recognized for the most outstanding contribution to national defense significantly exceeding standard performance by either an Air Force military member, Department of the Air Force civilian, unit, or group of individuals.
Base all nominations for the awards on contributions that occur between 1 January - 31 December. This does not rule out a project that may have been started more than a year ago but was completed during the current calendar year.
Nomination Authority
Organizations and base-level personnel must contact their major command (MAJCOM), combatant command (COCOM), field operating agency (FOA), direct reporting unit (DRU) or MAJCOM equivalent for applicable suspense date and additional information regarding nomination procedures. Do not submit nominations on previous Air Force Association (AFA)-level winners for the same award category; however, they may be submitted for another award category.
Nomination Package
Cover Page
Employee's names, position title, series and grade, organization and location, telephone number (commercial and DSN), email address, and brief employment history.
Write-Up
Limited to 30 lines (including headers, if applicable, and are to stand alone from the bullets), single-spaced, size 12 font, using only the AF Form 1206 (MUST USE THE MOST RECENT FORM VERSION ON E-PUBS). Bullet format is mandatory. When completing the “Award” block at the top of the 1206, use the AFA Aerospace Award “2018 David C. Schilling Award,” 2018 Citation of Honor,” etc. Leave the “Category” block blank. Note: Only common acronyms known throughout the Air Force will be authorized, (AF, USAFE, ACC, CC, TDY, NCO).
Citation
Limited to no less than 50 words and no more than 70 words (not including opening and closing statements), which briefly and concisely describes the nominee's accomplishments. Refer to AFI 36-2805, Special Trophies and Awards, Attachment 3, for format). Note: Acronyms are not authorized in the citation.
Public Release Statement
Addressed to Air Force Personnel Center Recognition Programs Section (AFPC/DP1SSP). Each nominee must sign a public release statement that reads verbatim: "I do or do not (circle one) agree to the use of Privacy Act information in the nomination narrative. This information may include Privacy Act information or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) found in DoD 5400.11-R, DoD Privacy Program, Disclosure of Personal Information to Other Agencies and Third Parties and guidance in Air Force Instruction 33-332, Air Force Privacy and Civil Liberties Program, Chapters 1, 2, and 6. I understand those transmitting personal information via email will exercise caution and adequately safeguard it in accordance with AFI 33-332, paragraph 2.5. and subparagraphs. The announcement message or any publicity regarding the award nomination will contain no privacy act information other than name, rank, and base of assignment." The nominee must sign and date this statement.
Recommendation Letter
Must be signed by the MAJCOM/COCOM/FOA/DRU commander, vice commander, or executive director stating validation with the nominee's unit was accomplished ensuring that the nominee does not have any derogatory information, also stating verbatim that "A review of the official personnel record was conducted on (date) and revealed no information that would bring discredit to the award or the United States Air Force during the award period". This may be delegated to the A1 directors by the MAJCOM/COCOM/FOA/DRU commander.
Nomination Submission
Each MAJCOM/COCOM/FOA/DRU may submit one nomination for each award no later than January to AFPC/DP1SSP (AFPC.DP1SP.RecognitionProcess@us.af.mil). The only scanned documents that will be accepted are those with signatures such as recommendation letters and public release statements. The AF Form 1206 must have the email address of the nominee and the nominating commander. AF Form 1206 must be sent in the original .pdf format (NOT SCANNED) and all other documents should be in word document format. Do not submit nominations directly to the sponsor.
If a nomination package is not received by the established suspense date and an extension has not been approved, the nomination package will not be considered and will be returned with no action.