Air Force Decoration Citation
AFAM, AFCM, or MSM citation in the standard opening/closing format, sized to fit the certificate.
Details
What did they do?
How decoration citations are built
Air and Space Force decoration citations — the Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal — follow a fixed three-part structure: a prescribed opening line naming the member, unit, and period of service; a middle section of specific quantified accomplishments; and the standard closing sentence. The citation is printed on the certificate and read aloud at the presentation, so it has to fit the line limits exactly.
The middle sentences carry the weight. Pick the two or three strongest accomplishments from the tour or act being recognized and state them with numbers — programs led, dollars managed, sorties or missions enabled, people trained. Decoration policy, criteria, and approval authorities live in DAFI 36-2803, and your force support squadron enforces the current template.
PCS, retirement, and achievement citations
The opening and emphasis change with the reason: a PCS or extended-tour citation covers sustained meritorious service across the whole period; a retirement citation summarizes a career arc; an act-or-achievement citation zooms in on one event and its impact. The generator asks for the decoration, the reason, and the period, then writes the citation in the correct voice and length for the certificate.
As with any decoration, verify the draft against the current DAFI 36-2803 template and your local awards office guidance before routing the package.
Frequently asked questions
Which decorations can this write?
The Air and Space Achievement Medal, Air and Space Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal — the three most commonly submitted personal decorations for PCS, separation, retirement, extended tour, or a specific act or achievement.
How long can a decoration citation be?
It must fit the certificate, which is why the generator enforces a character budget. Openings and closings are prescribed, so the space you control is the middle accomplishment sentences — usually two to four of them.
What accomplishments belong in the citation?
The strongest two or three from the period being recognized, stated with numbers: people led or trained, dollars or equipment managed, missions enabled, measurable improvements delivered. Save the rest for the award justification.
Who approves Air Force decorations?
Approval authority depends on the decoration and echelon and is set by DAFI 36-2803. Your commander support staff or force support squadron routes the package to the right level.
Official source
DAFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program — AF e-Publishing — Decoration criteria, approval authorities, and citation guidance are in the current published instruction.