12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award

1. Nominees who do not have retainability through 30 September may extend their current enlistment IAW AFI 36-2606, Re-Enlistment in the United States Air Force, Chapter 4, Table 4.1, Rule 28, as an exception to policy.

2. Military Personnel Section (MPS) officials who are normally responsible for approving/disapproving re-enlistment extensions may approve or disapprove extensions for the purpose of the 12 OAY Award Program. AFPC does not have to approve or disapprove such requests.

3. Cite this message as the authority for the extension in the remarks section of the AF Form 1411, Extension or Cancellation of Extensions of Enlistment in the Regular Air Force, as follows: "To Participate in the 12 OAY Award Program."

4. Do not violate the 23/48 month limitations. Airmen who cannot extend their enlistment because of the 23/48 month limitation must reenlist to acquire the needed retainability.

5. Nomination packages will be returned without action to the MAJCOM at the time of submission for any nominees that do not have or have not obtained the required retainability.

Any nominees who extended their enlistment for the 12 OAY Award Program and are non-winners may cancel their extensions IAW AFI 36-2606, para 4.11.4, as an exception to policy. MPS officials who normally approve/disapprove extensions of enlistment may approve the request for cancellation. Cite this message as the authority for the cancellation in the remarks section of the AF Form 1411. Point of contact for retainability issues is HQ AFPC/DP3ST, DSN 665-2090.

Nomination Package

Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter signed by the MAJCOM/COCOM/FOA/DRU commander, vice commander, or executive director also stating that “A records check was conducted on (date) and revealed no information that would bring discredit to the award or the United States Air Force.” This may be delegated to the A1 Directors by the MAJCOM commander.

Write-up

A write-up of 30 typewritten lines (including stand-alone headings), single-spaced, size 12 point-font, using the front side only the AF Form 1206, Nomination for Award (Must use the most recent form version on e-Pubs) Nomination for Award. Bullet format is mandatory. Nominations should include specific facts, achievements, and examples showing the individuals are exceptional. Achievements should distinguish the member from his or her peers. Common acronyms may be used as long as the meaning is clear (TDY, AF, USAFE, SFS, etc.), otherwise acronyms will not be used. The use of an acronym list is not permitted.

Nominations for Airman (Airman through Senior Airman) and NCO (Staff Sergeant and Technical Sergeant) must include the following areas and cite examples that occurred only during the award period.

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award (Sample AF IMT 1206 for Airman & NCO)

* Job Performance in Primary Duty: Describe significant accomplishments and how well the member performed assigned primary and additional duties. Define the scope and level of responsibilities and the impact on the mission and unit. Include any new initiatives or techniques developed by the member that positively impacted the unit and/or the mission. Show how the member developed or improved skills related to primary duties; e.g., formal training, Career Development Course enrollment or completion, On-the-Job Training, and so forth. Include results of Air Force, MAJCOM, and Numbered Air Force-level inspections and/or evaluations. Include awards received; e.g., NCO of the Quarter, Maintenance Professional of the Year, and so forth

* Leadership and Followership: Define significant leadership and followership efforts outside the scope of primary duties in the unit or workplace. Describe efforts to train others, and the impact of the member's actions to create a caring, respectful and dignified environment. Include resource utilization efforts including time management, equipment, manpower and budget. Include actions to enforce or raise personal and professional standards, including fitness, dress and appearance, customs and courtesies and professional conduct standards

* Whole Airman Concept: Define the scope and impact of the member's effort to promote camaraderie, embrace esprit de corps, and act as an Air Force ambassador, including positive leadership and involvement in both the military and civilian community. Include leadership, membership, or participation in unit advisory councils, professional military organizations, associations, and events. Include any off-duty education or other personal development; e.g., class, course, certifications, degree enrollment and/or completion, grade point average. Cite any other relevant training or activity that significantly enhanced the member's value as a military citizen

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award (Sample AF IMT 1206 for SNCO)

* Leadership and Job Performance in Primary Duty: Describe significant accomplishments and how well the member performed assigned primary and additional duties. Define the scope and level of responsibilities and the impact on the mission and unit. Include any new initiatives or techniques developed by the member that positively impacted the unit and/or the mission. Show how the member developed or improved skills related to primary duties; e.g., formal training, Career Development Course enrollment or completion, On-the-Job Training, and so forth. Include results of Air Force, MAJCOM, and Numbered Air Force-level inspections and/or evaluations. Include awards received; e.g., NCO of the Quarter, Maintenance Professional of the Year, and so forth

* Whole Airman Concept: Define the scope and impact of the member's effort to promote camaraderie, embrace esprit de corps, and act as an Air Force ambassador, including positive leadership and involvement in both the military and civilian community. Include leadership, membership, or participation in unit advisory councils, professional military organizations, associations, and events. Include any off-duty education or other personal development; e.g., class, course, certifications, degree enrollment and/or completion, grade point average. Cite any other relevant training or activity that significantly enhanced the member's value as a military citizen

Biography

An official Air Force biography, limited to two pages. Example biographies can be found at the Air Force biography homepage (http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies.aspx). Installation Public Affairs shops can also assist

Sample Bio

Official Photos

Note: Two photos required. If nominee is deployed or just returned from deployment and unavailable, ensure that justification for the status of the required photos is provided in the email (at a minimum).

1. One official Air Force 8x10 photo in .jpg format. Head and shoulders, Service Dress, blue background with US flag. Note: A gray background may be used if a blue background is unavailable
2. One official Air Force 5x7 photo in .jpg format, no bigger than 500KB. Full length, short sleeve blue shirt, no tie/tab, name tag, all ribbons and badges. Note: No exceptions will be authorized regarding the short sleeve blue shirt requirement.

Air Force Fitness

A current Air Force Fitness Management System print out of member's physical fitness history. If member is on a profile include a copy of the members AF Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report in the package. If the member has a current fitness score, but was exempt during any portion of the award period, an AF Form 422 must be provided.

Citation

A citation is not required.

Statement of Intent

A statement of intent addressed to Air Force Personnel Center’s Recognition Programs Section (AFPC/DP1SSP), signed and dated by the nominee (all nominees must sign a statement of intent). The statement of intent will read verbatim:

* "I have not applied for a commissioning program and, if selected as a 12 OAY, will not apply for a commissioning program until no earlier than 1 March following notification of 12 OAY selection."

* "If selected as a 12 OAY, I agree to serve in the capacity as an enlisted ambassador representing and assisting the Air Force in enlisted recruiting and retention efforts and matters. I understand I may be called upon by my MAJCOM commander or MAJCOM/CCC to travel to any events or venues deemed appropriate which may have a positive impact upon Air Force recruiting and retention."

* "I attest that the facts I have provided for this nomination are true and correct to the best of my knowledge."

Statement of Release

A statement of release, addressed to HQ AFPC/DP1SSP, must be signed and dated by the nominee. The statement will read 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."

Note:  For the Statement of Release, if permission is not granted, it will not preclude member from competing for the award.

Ensure that the signed statements listed above (Statements of Intent and Release) are on separate memos.

Nomination Submission

Please ensure all your serviced units are aware of the timelines and procedures for the 12 OAY award program so that deserving candidates are given the opportunity to compete fully without compromising the two-tiered competitive system.

The only acceptable scanned documents we will accept are those with signatures, such as endorsement letters and public release statements. Digitally signed endorsement letters and public release statements will be accepted. The AF Form 1206 must be sent in its original format (NOT SCANNED) and all other documents should be in MS Word document format.

If your package is late and an extension has not been requested/approved before the suspense date, a late submission letter is required from the MAJCOM/COCOM/FOA/DRU CV or A1. Negative replies are mandatory. Ensure a confirmed receipt is sent back to your organization. If you do not receive a confirmed receipt within 2 weeks, resubmit your package.

MAJCOMs/HAF CENTRAL BOARD send nominations in original format to AFPC/DP1SSP (AFPC.DP1SP.recognitionprocess@us.af.mil).