ARPC NOTAM 164 - Commanders -- Referral of customers: An increasing number of members who contact the ARPC Recognitions Branch state they have been referred to ARPC by the MPS for update of their awards and decorations. To better serve the member and comply with current guidance in AFI 36-2803, Chapter 1, paragraph 1.10, we must refer the member back to their MPS for awards/decorations updates and corrections. This prolongs the process and frustrates the member. As a reminder, MPSs have the responsibility to update awards/decorations on unit assigned Airmen.
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Clarification of Digital Signatures on awards/decorations certificates: Effective June 18, 2015, commanders are required to add a digital signature to decoration applications prior to submitting them to ARPC. This is required so that the certificate can be uploaded directly to ARMS during processing. The digital signature must match the name in the CC block since this signature is the approval authority for the decoration, and is applied to the document in place of a wet signature in ARMS. The wet signature is still authorized as an option to commanders for presentation.
As always, questions can be directed to our TFSC at 210-565-0102 or DSN 665-0102.
//signed//
SAMUEL C. MAHANEY, Brig. Gen., USAFR
Commander, HQ Air Reserve Personnel Center