vPC Decoration Nomination Application Process

  • Published
Applicable to: Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve

The virtual Personnel Center (vPC) Decoration Nomination application provides a supervisor/nominator, regardless of military or civilian branch affiliation, the capability to submit a decoration nomination online (24/7) on any participating unit member of the Air Force Reserve (AFR) and Air National Guard (ANG). This includes Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMA) and those Active Duty (AD) members attached to an Air Reserve Component (ARC) unit.

Decorations, once submitted for coordination and approval, can be monitored throughout the process by the nominator and organization staff members.

Note: HQ Air Force Reserve Center (AFRC) assigned IMA and Active Guard Reserve (AGR) personnel decorations will be processed via vPC. Non-AFRC IMA and AGR assigned personnel will process decorations using current AFPC processes.

The following decorations can be processed through the vPC Decoration Nomination application

  • Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
  • Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM)
  • Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM)
  • Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM)
  • Combat Readiness Medal (CRM)
  • Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM)

To open the decoration application form, follow these steps

  1. Log onto vPC Dashboard, located on the main page
  2. Select Action Requests tab
  3. Select Federal Awards and Decorations
  4. Select the appropriate decoration action desired

Nominee Information

  • Selecting an Airman will automatically populate their profile information in the nomination application
  • Fields with an asterisk symbol [*] and bold titles must be entered even if they are not auto-populated

Decoration Information

  • Decoration and Condition will determine the wording of the opening and closing statements on the narrative

Justification and Memorandum Information

  • Opening and closing narrative statements automatically populate on the certificate from data entered in the following blocks: Rank, First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Unit
  • Enter the nominee's full official duty title in the Duty Title field
  • Duty title must be accurate according to Airman's record in the personnel data system
  • Do not abbreviate any part of the duty title
  • Enter the complete assigned organization, installation and state in the Unit field
  • Add 'th' or ‘d’ at the end of the organizational numbers. (Example: 146th Mission Support Flight, 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, California)
  • Justification is required for Meritorious Service Medal decorations (AFI 36-2803)

When typing the narrative, here are a few things to remember

  • The inclusive dates are automatically printed on the certificate
  • Abbreviations are not permitted except for Jr., Sr., II and III
  • Airman's rank and full name is auto populated in the opening statement
  • Short titles must be used when entering the rank in the narrative. (For example, use Airman, sergeant and chief. For officers, do not abbreviate major or captain. Use short titles for 2d and 1st lieutenants, lieutenant colonel and general ranks)
  • vPC is built to automatically word wrap the text of the narrative
  • Do NOT cut and paste into this block or use the enter key at the end of a line

Number of lines allowed

  • AF Achievement Medal: 12 lines
  • AF Commendation Medal: 14 lines maximum using 10 or 12 point font
  • Meritorious Service Medal: 14 lines maximum using 10 or 12 point font

Signature Blocks

  • The NAME must be in UPPER case; rank Title Case. Examples of correct signature blocks are shown below:

  • AF Achievement and AF Commendation:
    JOHN X. TEST, Brig Gen, XXANG or XX ANG - (two letters for state)
    Commander, 1XXth Wing

    Meritorious Service Medal:
    JOHN X. TEST
    Brigadier General, XXANG or XX ANG
    Commander, 1XXth Wing

Coordination

  • Consult the Commander Support Staff (CSS) or Military Personnel Section (MPS) for coordination policy to determine the workflow for review and approval procedures of the nomination application, as well as printing of the approved decoration
  • Applications must be submitted by appropriate commander role to approve; all other coordination or concurrence may be submitted by either vPC role or individual
  • Nominators should be familiar with AFI 36-2803