CAFR 900-1 Awards and Decorations

Category: Regulations

Published date: Dec 17, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Nominations 1 B. Awards Review Committee 2 C. AWARDS: 1. INDIVIDUAL AWARDS 2 a. Lloyd P. Nolen Achievement Award 2 b. CAF Distinguished Service Award 2 c. Marvin L. “Lefty” Gardner Flight Excellence Award 3 d. CAF Distinguished Flying Medal 3 e. CAF Distinguished Maintenance Award 3 f. CAF Commemorative Air Force Airman's Award 3 g. The Award of the Silver Magnolia Blossom 3 h. CAF Unit Service Award 3 i. CAF Letter of Commendation 3 j. CAF Individual Maintenance Award 3 k. CAF Service Award (Non-CAF Member) 4 l. CAF Letter of Commendation (Non-CAF Member) 4 2. UNIT AWARDS 4 a. Lloyd P. Nolen Unit Achievement Award 4 b. CAF Distinguished Unit Award 4 c. CAF Distinguished Unit Maintenance Award 4 d. CAF David Lee “Tex” Hill Cadet Corps Award 4 e. CAF Unit Letter of Commendation 4 D. Awards Presentation 5 E. Non-CAF Recipients 5 F. Special Awards 5 G. CAF Awards Process - How it works 5 Attachment 1 - CAF Lloyd P. Nolen Achievement Award (sample} 7 Attachment 2 - CAF Distinguished Service Award (sample) 8 Attachment 3 - CAF Distinguished Flying Medal (sample) 9 Attachment 4 - CAF Distinguished Maintenance Award (sample) 10 Attachment 5 - CAF Airman's Award (sample) 11 Attachment 6 - CAF Award of the Silver Magnolia Blossom (sample) 12 Attachment 7 - CAF Unit Service Award (sample) 13 Attachment 8 - CAF Letter of Commendation (sample) 14 Attachment 9 - CAF Individual Maintenance Award (sample) 15 Attachment 10 - CAF Service Award (Non-Member) (sample) 16 Attachment 11 - CAF Unit Letter of Commendation (Non-Member) (sample) 17 Attachment 12 - CAF Lloyd P. Nolen Unit Achievement Award (sample) 18 Attachment 13 - CAF Distinguished Unit Award (sample) 19 Attachment 14 - CAF Distinguished Unit Maintenance Award (sample) 20 Attachment 15 - CAF Unit Letter of Commendation (sample) 21 Attachment 16 - CAF David Lee “Tex” Hill Cadet Corps Award (sample) 22 NOTE: There are no attachments for the Marvin L. “Lefty” Gardner Flight Excellence Award. Please submit letters with supporting information.

This regulation defines Commemorative Air Force awards, associated decorations, and describes procedures for nominations and presentations. This regulation applies to all members and Units of the CAF. CAF Units may create local Unit awards provided the local regulations are approved by Headquarters.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

1. PURPOSE

This regulation defines Commemorative Air Force awards, associated decorations, and describes procedures for nominations and presentations.

1. Who Must Follow This Regulation:

This regulation applies to all members and CAF Units.

CAF Units may create local Unit awards provided the local regulations are approved by Headquarters.

1. Changes:

This is your organization. Any CAF member, Unit, or employee may recommend changes to any CAF publication. Recommendations should be submitted in one of the sample formats and must be identified by number, title and date. Recommendations will be evaluated by the office of primary responsibility within thirty (30) days and the individual or Unit will be notified of action taken. 4. Requesting a Waiver:

When Units find, for any reason, they are unable to follow the provisions of a directive, they should notify CAF Headquarters. The fact that notification has been accomplished does not automatically excuse Units from complying with the directive; waivers must be issued in writing from CAF Headquarters. Requests and approvals may be made by telephone, but must be followed up within three (3) days in writing.

No. Of Printed Pages: 27

OPR: Vice President of Membership Approved by: President Distribution: Headquarters and Units

2020 added David Lee “Tex” Hill Cadet Corps Award

A. NOMINATIONS Please note: the annual Headquarters Individual awards program described herein is not intended to take the place of the Unit’s own local annual awards programs. The Headquarters Awards program is intended to recognize contributions that have been extraordinary and have brought national recognition to the accomplishments of the individual, Unit, or the CAF. Units must continue to have their own annual Awards programs to provide local recognition of their members. Units should appoint a local Awards Committee composed of three or more Unit Staff members and prepare the Unit’s nominations that are then approved by the Unit Staff. Please see CAF Unit Manual Sec. 3.

The following procedures apply for all award nominations at the national level:

1. Nominations for INDIVIDUAL AWARDS must be received at Headquarters no later than July 15th each year to allow time for committee review and approval.

Nominations for UNIT AWARDS must be received at Headquarters no later than December 15th each year to allow time for committee review and approval.

1. Any current CAF member may nominate another current CAF member for an award; however, award nominations that are submitted for accomplishments in support of Unit activities must be endorsed by cover letter from the Unit Staff. In addition, Headquarters Staff, any Unit staff officer, or member of the General Staff may nominate an Officer for an award. The President of the CAF may also nominate individual officers or members for an award.

2. Nominations for Service Awards and Letters of Commendation for non-CAF members may be submitted by any active CAF member, Unit staff or the President of the CAF. Nominations that are submitted by Units must be endorsed by cover letter from the Unit staff.

3. Nominations must include a draft citation using the sample citation formats provided and include the name of the individual and CAF ID number or Unit, Unit affiliation, suggested award category and a complete description of the actions or accomplishments that entitle the individual or Unit for recommendation for this award.

Repeat nominations for the same individual or Unit for accomplishing the same actions will be given careful consideration by the Awards Review Committee or President and may not be approved. Repeated awards in the same category on a year- to-year basis will be very rare and will be considered on an exception basis only, based on “new” accomplishments. Repeat nominations must include information relating new accomplishments or achievements and be supported by a written recommendation of the Unit’s Award Committee and a letter of endorsement by the Unit Staff.

B. AWARDS REVIEW COMMITTEE 1. A five member Awards Review Committee, consisting of five current CAF Colonels will be appointed annually by the President of the CAF. The Vice President of Membership will serve as an ex officio member of the Committee. 2. Chairman of the Awards Review Committee will be appointed by the President. 3. Vacancies on the Awards Review Committee will be filled by appointment by the Committee Chairman with approval of the President. 4. This committee shall review all individual and Unit nominations with the option to approve, disapprove, or approve at a lesser level, any nomination. 5. The Review Committee must evaluate all individual award recommendations by August 15 and present the Committee's recommendation to the President for review and approval. A listing of the individual award winners with accompanying nomination letters will be provided to the Headquarters Staff no later than September 5 for preparation of the Citations and Plaques. The President must approve recommendations for the Lloyd P. Nolen Award or the Distinguished Service Award. The Airman's Award recommendations must be approved by the President and the General Staff. 6. For Unit Awards, the Review Committee must evaluate all Unit award nominations by December 30th. The Committee's recommendations must be presented to the President in January. 7. The Vice President of Membership will coordinate the review and approval of the Unit Award recommendations.

C. CAF INDIVIDUAL AWARDS - DUE AT CAF HEADQUARTERS JULY 15th 1. Individual Awards a. Lloyd P. Nolen Achievement Award - is presented to the CAF member who has displayed exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to the objectives of the CAF and has shown outstanding qualities of friendliness, helpfulness, and esprit de corps and who has best represented these qualities in the true spirit of our founder, Colonel Lloyd P. Nolen. This award is presented to recognize a “lifetime” of exceptional service to the CAF at several levels. This award will be presented only once per year at the General Membership meeting. (Citation and Plaque). The award is approved by the President. This award is not required to be presented each year. b. Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Service Award - is one of the highest awards given by the CAF for extraordinary, meritorious and exceptional service to the CAF and is presented to CAF members only. This award should encompass achievement in all areas of service to the CAF. Presented to recognize an extended period (years) of exceptional service to the CAF. (Citation and Plaque) Nominees must be approved by the President.

c. Marvin L. “Lefty” Gardner Flight Excellence Award - presented to individuals or crews who have demonstrated feats of airmanship exceeding those stipulated for award of the CAF Distinguished Flying Medal. This Award is presented to recognize an extended period of service (years) in flight while supporting the goals and objectives of the CAF. Nominees must be approved by the President. d. Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Flying Medal - is presented to CAF aircraft crew members for extraordinary or heroic achievement during aerial flight in the service of the CAF or for consistently demonstrating exceptional flying skill while in service with the CAF. (Citation and Plaque) e. Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Maintenance Award - is the highest award given to CAF maintenance personnel. It is for exemplary and extraordinary achievement in the maintenance of CAF aircraft or for exemplary and extraordinary achievement in the restoration of CAF aircraft. (Citation and Plaque) f. Commemorative Air Force Airman's Award - is awarded to a CAF member for heroism involving voluntary risk of life. The saving of a life or the success of the voluntary act of heroism is not essential. (Citation and Plaque) Requires approval by the President and the General Staff. g. The Award of the Silver Magnolia Blossom - is awarded to CAF members who have consistently displayed outstanding skill or achievement in any activity or service for the CAF. Presented to recognize an exceptional level of service while supporting a specific function or service to the Unit, sponsor group or Headquarters that results in increased national recognition of the CAF. These accomplishments must represent the CAF beyond the local level to bring increased awareness of the CAF and its objectives. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Citation and Plaque) h. Commemorative Air Force Unit Service Award - is awarded to CAF members who have consistently displayed outstanding skill or achievement in any activity or service for the CAF. This award is presented to recognize an exceptional level of service while supporting a specific function or service to the Unit, sponsor group or Headquarters. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Citation) i. Commemorative Air Force Letter of Commendation - is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in any capacity with the CAF. It is presented to recognize outstanding achievement for a specific event or project. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Letter) j. Commemorative Air Force Individual Maintenance Award - is awarded for meritorious achievement while conducting the maintenance or the restoration of a CAF aircraft. Achievement is to be above that normally expected of maintenance personnel. This award is presented to recognize those who willingly donate their

time and skills to a specific aircraft or project. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Citation and Plaque) k. Commemorative Air Force Service Award (Non-CAF Member) - is awarded to the non-member individual who has consistently shown outstanding or exceptional service to the CAF. (Citation and Plaque)

l. Commemorative Air Force Letter of Commendation (Non-CAF Member) - is awarded to a non-member individual who has displayed outstanding achievement in a single area of service to the CAF. (Letter) 2. CAF Unit Awards - Due at CAF Headquarters December 15th a. Lloyd P. Nolen Unit Achievement Award - is to be presented to the CAF Unit that has consistently displayed the highest levels of enthusiasm and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force. All areas of performance are to be considered including but not limited to the following: operations, maintenance and restoration of CAF aircraft; public relations; recruiting and fund raising efforts; and overall positive image of the CAF in the true spirit of our founder, Colonel Lloyd P. Nolen. This award will be presented only once per year at the Wing Staff Conference. (Citation and Plaque). The award is approved by the President. This award is not required to be presented each year. b. Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Award - is awarded to the CAF Unit that has consistently demonstrated extraordinary, meritorious and exceptional service to the CAF. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Citation and Plaque) c. Commemorative Air Force Distinguished Unit Maintenance Award - is awarded to the CAF Unit that has shown outstanding achievement in the maintenance and restoration of CAF aircraft. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Citation and Plaque)

d. Commemorative Air Force David Lee “Tex” Hill Cadet Corps Award - is awarded to the CAF Unit Cadet Corps that has demonstrated exemplary leadership and organization in service to the Commemorative Air Force.

e. Commemorative Air Force Unit Letter of Commendation - is awarded to the CAF Unit that has displayed outstanding achievement in a single area of service to the CAF. Follow-up nominations must contain justification in the form of “new” achievements or accomplishments. (Letter)

D. Awards Presentation

1.  All INDIVIDUAL AWARDS will be presented at the annual General Membership Meeting.
   

2. All UNIT AWARDS will be presented at the CAF Conference. E. Non-Commemorative Air Force Member Recipients - The President may nominate individuals outside the Commemorative Air Force membership for awards. Any nomination of this category, recommended by the Awards Review Committee, must be approved by President. F. Special Awards - The President may create special awards for acts or deeds of such a high degree as to surpass the standard Commemorative Air Force awards. G. CAF Awards Process Review

3. Nominations

a. INDIVIDUALS must be submitted by July 15th each year. b. UNITS must be submitted by December 15th each year. c. May be submitted by: a) Any current CAF member b) Any Unit Staff c) General Staff Member d) President e) Headquarters Staff

Nominations must be in Citation format (samples are in this regulation as attachments). The letters must outline accomplishments that entitle the individual for the award. See awards regulation for draft citation. Unit staffs must provide a letter of endorsement for individual awards.

1. Awards Committee a. Five member board b. The President will appoint Chairman c. The Committee will review individual nominations by August 15 d. The Committee will review Unit nominations by December 30 e. Present appropriate nominations to the President for approval

HEADQUARTERS POINT OF CONTACT Vice President of Membership (((Must Download PDF for Additional Forms and Templates)))