DAF Form 56 at a glance
What it is: DAF Form 56 is the Department of the Air Force application and evaluation for training leading to a commission.
Who signs: Sign, and enter the date and your name (First, Full Middle, Last Name).
What to bring and attach to DAF Form 56
In box 26. a., mark Yes or No: have you ever been convicted of a DUI or alcohol related offense? If yes, submit a statement in your own words describing the circumstances, and a copy of the police report.
A filled-in DAF Form 56 example: a single applicant for a Reserve appointment
How to fill out DAF Form 56, box by box
Type of appointment
Check the type of appointment, under the form title, for which you are applying: appointment as a Reserve member of the Air Force, federal recognition and appointment as a Reserve member of the Air Force, or appointment as a USAF member without component.
To, specialty, from, DODID and date of birth
In box 1, enter the appointing authority or organization to which this application is submitted; box 2 is the specialty.
In box 3, enter FROM (Last, First, Middle Initial); in box 4, your DODID (If not assigned, enter SSN); in box 5, your date of birth (YYYYMMDD).
If you have not been assigned a DoDID, this form cannot be processed without your SSN.
Home of record, place of birth, mailing address and person to be notified in case of emergency
Enter your Home of Record (HOR) in box 6, including ZIP Code and 4 digit; if a postal box, include your street address. Upon termination from active duty, travel entitlements are based on the information you enter in box 6. Once recorded, the HOR may not be changed.
Enter your place of birth in box 7 (City, State, Country).
If your mailing address is other than your HOR, enter it in box 8, including ZIP Code and 4 digit; if a postal box, include your street address.
In box 9, enter the person to be notified in case of emergency (Name, relationship, and address).
Marital status, family members and U.S. citizen
In box 10, check your marital status: Single, Married to military member, Married to civilian, Separated, Divorced or Widowed.
In box 11, enter the family members (Other than spouse, number completely dependent upon you).
In box 12, check U.S. citizen Yes or No. If yes, check the appropriate item, Birth or Naturalized; if you are a U.S. citizen by naturalization, state the date, number of certificate, court in box 12. a.
I understand I am being considered for appointment
In box 13, check the appointment you understand you are being considered for: to fill an active force requirement and agree to remain on active duty for the period specified in pertinent instructions (DAFI 36-2008, DAFMAN 36- 2032 and DAFMAN36-2139), or to fill an authorized position vacancy in the Ready Reserve.
In box 13, enter your geographic preference of assignment and when you will be available to enter active duty, and check Yes or No: Require at least 30 days notice to enter active duty?
Write your initials: if you have not previously incurred a military service obligation (MSO), you will incur an MSO and have been briefed on what your MSO will be.
Write your initials: you have been briefed on your responsibility to participate in the Department of the Air Force Direct Deposit Program within 60 days of arrival at your first permanent duty station.
Write your initials: you have been briefed on the contents of the application briefing item on separation policy.
More rules for DAF Form 56
This form is fully digital; only one copy is required, and electronic signatures are authorized.
Disclosure is voluntary. However, failure to provide the requested information, including your SSN and/or DoD ID, will result in the termination of all further processing of this application.
In box 14, list your education: type of school, name of school, dates attended from and to (YMD), no. yrs compl, grad (Y or N), type of degree and major subject.
In box 17, list a chronological statement of service and training in any component of the uniformed services (Include service academies and preparatory schools): organization (Type and Service), dates attended from and to (YMD), highest grade, active duty or reserve, and specialty.
In box 18, list all FAA certificates and advanced aeronautical ratings you hold (Continue in Additional Comments or Explanations if needed), and mark Yes or No for the private pilot's license (18. a.) and the commercial pilot's license (18. b.).
In boxes 19, 20 and 21, mark Yes or No: are you currently a member of any branch of the uniformed services? Were all discharges honorable? Were you ever nonselected for promotion to an officer grade in any branch of the uniformed services? For 19 and 21, if yes, provide branch of uniformed service.
In box 22, mark Yes or No: were you separated or are you pending separation from any branch of the uniformed services for cause, or were you separated or are you pending separation from commissioned status in any branch of the uniformed services due to nonqualified, nonselect, or deferral promotion? If yes, provide branch of uniformed service, reason for separation action, and date of separation, if applicable.
In box 23, mark Yes or No: have you ever received severance pay, or separation pay, or readjustment pay, or voluntary separation incentive (VSI) or special separation benefit (SSB) pay when released from active duty or discharged from any uniformed service?
In box 24. a., mark Yes or No: have you ever applied for, or been contracted in, a program leading to a commission in any uniformed service or applied for a commission or position with any branch of the armed services or federal government? If contracted, include DD Form 785 and a waiver request explaining the disenrollment.
In box 25, list a chronological statement of civilian employment, including part-time positions: from and to (YMD), employed by (Give name and address to include ZIP Code and 4 digit), full time or part time (Hrs per week), monthly salary, position and duties, and reason for termination. If additional space is required, continue in the Remarks section.
In box 26, mark Yes or No: have you ever been involved, arrested, indicted, or convicted (including pretrial diversion) for any violation of civil or military law, including nonjudicial punishment pursuant to Article 15 of the UCMJ, or minor traffic violations? If yes, please explain in the DATE (YYYYMMDD), OFFENSE, PLACE, AGE, DISPOSITION OF CHARGE and COURT boxes. List all offenses charged against you regardless of final disposition, including situations where the involvement has not been recorded locally or the record has been ordered sealed or expunged by the court.
In box 27, mark Yes or No: are you a conscientious objector (one who has or had a firmed, fixed, and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or to bearing of arms because of religious training or belief)?
In box 28, mark Yes or No: are you now or have you ever been affiliated with any organization or movement that seeks to alter the form of government by unconstitutional means, or sympathetically associated with any such organization, movement, or members thereof? If yes, please describe.
In box 29, mark Yes or No: are there any other unfavorable incidents in your life which you believe may reflect upon your loyalty to the United States government or upon your ability to perform the duties which you may be called upon to undertake? If yes, please describe.
In box 31, only AFTCOs or Unit Commanders are authorized to enter scores.
In box 32, mark X as applicable: type granted or none, pending, granted, date granted and date initiated.
In box 33, enter your remarks. If additional space is needed, continue on page 4. Be sure to identify item number.
On the Additional Comments or Explanations page, enter ITEM NO. and explain. If additional space is required, use full sheets of paper. Write your name and DoDID or SSN on each sheet.
Common questions about DAF Form 56
Who signs it?
Sign, and enter the date and your name (First, Full Middle, Last Name).
What am I certifying when I sign?
Any false or incomplete information knowingly provided on or with this application may be grounds for not employing or accessing with the Air Force, or grounds for dismissing or releasing you from active duty if already employed or serving.
Sources
[1] DAF Form 56 (6 October 2026), Department of the Air Force (the Official source link on this page).