DAF Form 3994 at a glance
What it is: DAF Form 3994 is the Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, prescribed by DAFMAN36-2806.
Who signs: The ORIGINATOR enters the NAME, RANK, TITLE OF ORIGINATOR, then the SIGNATURE and DATE. Under ENDORSEMENTS, on lines 1, 2 and 3, each endorser enters TO, ACTION and SIGNATURE, RANK AND DATE. The APPROVAL AUTHORITY marks APPROVE, DISAPPROVE or NO ACTION (Include in end of tour), then enters the SIGNATURE BLOCK, SIGNATURE & DATE.
A filled-in DAF Form 3994 example: a squadron recommends a sergeant
How to fill out DAF Form 3994, box by box
From, to, name, rank and unit
Enter the deployed unit under FROM and the awarding authority under TO.
Enter the NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial), RANK/GRADE, SSAN and DEPLOYED UNIT AT TIME OF ACTION.
Recommendation for, V device, period and other persons
Mark YES or NO for "V" DEVICE?
Mark Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal or Other. Enter the Period of Achievement/Service under FROM and TO. Mark YES or NO for "Are other persons being recommended for this same action?"
Occasion for award, home unit and parent MAJCOM
Under OCCASION FOR AWARD, mark ACHIEVEMENT, SERVICE, COURAGE, HEROISM or POSTHUMOUS.
Enter the HOME UNIT FORWARDING ADDRESS and the PARENT MAJCOM.
Summary of action or meritorious service
Use specific bullet examples of act or service in the SUMMARY OF ACTION/MERITORIOUS SERVICE.
Endorsements
Under ENDORSEMENTS, on lines 1, 2 and 3, each endorser enters TO, ACTION and SIGNATURE, RANK AND DATE.
Approval authority and MPF action
Under APPROVAL AUTHORITY, mark YES or NO for PINNED IN THEATER?
Under MPF ACTION, enter UPDATED and FILED.
More rules for DAF Form 3994
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT. Authority: 10 U.S.C., Section 8013, SECAF: AFI 36-2406, Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems; Executive Order 9397 (SSN), as amended. Purpose: to provide performance-based decorations while in deployed operations. Routine uses: Disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Section 552a(b) and may be specifically disclosed to other federal agencies. Blanket Routine Uses apply. Disclosure: Voluntary; however, nondisclosure may result in missing and/or inaccurate documents in the individual's master personnel records.
The information in this form is CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION. Protect IAW the Privacy Act of 1974.
Sources
[1] DAF Form 3994 (20240118), Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, Department of the Air Force (the Official source link on this page).