Evaluation, decoration submission guidance during Covid-19 pandemic

  • Published
  • By HQ ARPC Public Affairs

The office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (SAF/MR) recently provided guidance in a Total Force memorandum regarding the signing and submission of officer and enlisted evaluations and decorations.

This memorandum provided instructions when access to the virtual Personnel Center (vPC) or the Air Force network may not be feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While the digital (CAC) signature method remains the primary and preferred means for signing Air Force evaluations, health protection directives and other circumstances may make it difficult to utilize the digital (CAC) signature option. Accordingly, alternative digital signature measures have been developed and implemented on evaluation forms.

Effective immediately, the use of manual signatures on all Air Force evaluation forms is authorized if raters and ratees are unable to sign the form digitally with a Common Access Card (CAC). A combination of digital and wet signatures is also authorized but only when access to the network is unavailable.

While vPC continues to be the primary method of processing and transmitting AF decorations, DoD Safe may be used in circumstances where the decoration must be processed immediately and access to the network is unavailable. To submit a decoration via DoD Safe, email the Air Reserve Personnel Center ARPC.DPTS.EvalsRecognitions@us.af.mil for instructions.

For a full description of the SAF/MR memo and complete updated guidance on evaluations and decorations, visit the myPers through the link below.

“Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Administrative Relief Measures - Electronic Signature on AF Evaluation Forms” myPers link:  https://mypers.af.mil/app/answers/detail/a_id/47404