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Air Force Achievement Medal

 The Air Force Achievement Medal (AFCM) is awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force.
 Acts of courage that do not meet the requirements for award of the AFCM.
 No more than one AFAM may be awarded during a 1-year period except under extraordinary circumstances. The AFAM will not be awarded for aerial achievement or retirement.

AFI 36-2803 Notes:
1. It is not appropriate to award this decoration to personnel completing Air Force Training Programs (for example Air War College, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Air Staff Training, and so forth).
2. Commanding officers may further delegate AFAM award authority to wing or equivalent commanding officers (vice commanders) in the grade of colonel or above.
3. Award of the "V" device for a contingency deployment operation will be dependent upon the AOR being declared a hostile environment by the JCS, or hostile acts identified by the unified commander or higher authority. Award of the "V" device is based solely on the acts of members who meet the basic criteria of the AFAM, and who are exposed to personal hazards due to direct hostile actions during a contingency deployment operation. For a single event, Air Force Component Commanders may authorize a "V" device when a single event, i.e., terrorist act, isolated combat-type incident, etc., warrants the "V" device distinction. The "V" device will not be awarded for normal peacetime acts or services. Award of the "V" device is authorized only for events or situations which occurred on or after 11 January 1996.
4. The AFAM may not be awarded retroactive for any period of service with a close date prior its effective date (1 Oct 1981).
5. It is particularly desirable that emphasis be placed on the award of this decoration to outstanding junior officers and airmen whose achievements and services meet the prescribed standards.
6. Superior performance of duty or attainment of honors based solely on academic achievement (such as graduating with honors from an NCO Academy or other course of instruction) does not, in itself, constitute justification for an award of the AFAM.
7. Appropriate remarks on effectiveness and performance reports, favourable communications, locally developed certificates and command special trophies and awards provide ample means of recognizing the high caliber performance expected of Air Force personnel. Awards should be restricted to the recognition of achievements and services that are clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements and accomplishments of personnel of like rank and responsibilities.
8. The successful accomplishment of a predesignated number of tasks or functions is not a valid basis for an automatic award. However, unusual and extraordinary sustained performance may be used as a point of departure in justifying meritorious achievement or service. In instances where many persons are affiliated with an exceptionally successful program, project, or mission, the AFAM will be awarded only to the relatively few members whose contributions clearly stand out from the others, and who have contributed most to the success of the program.

Description: The medal has a silver colored nebular shaped disc with an oxidized satin finish. The pendant bears the heraldic thunderbolt similar to that of the shield on the Department of the Air Force Seal.
The ribbon is predominantly silver gray with 12 vertical ultramarine-blue stripes.

Category of Award: Personal Performance Award

Authorized: October 12, 1980 by the Secretary of the Air Force.

Device(s): Oak Leaf Cluster(s) and V Device (if applicable)

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 97 to 98.
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 107.

Page updated October 25, 2016

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