Rules behind the documents.

Memorandums

Start with AFMAN 33-326 and applicable guidance memorandums; use AFH 33-337 chapter 14 for supporting format details. Headquarters-level correspondence may require HOI 33-3 instead of this unit-level format.

• Use 12-point Times New Roman and one-inch side and bottom margins as the normal baseline.
• Military date examples: 19 September 2026 or 19 Sep 26. The date sits at the right, 1.75 inches from the top.
• Use MEMORANDUM FOR, FROM, and SUBJECT. Put the sender’s full return address in FROM when needed. Do not carry Navy SSIC and serial blocks into the Air Force format.
• Single-space paragraphs and leave a blank line between paragraphs and subparagraphs. One paragraph is unnumbered; multiple paragraphs are numbered.
• Keep at least two lines of a split paragraph on each page. Never leave the signature block by itself on a continuation page.
• Begin the signature block 4.5 inches from the left edge, five lines below the body or authority line. Use uppercase signer name followed by grade and service, then duty title.
• The first page has no page number. Continuation numbers appear at the top right, one-half inch from the top. Attachment numbering is a separate sequence.
• Organizational letterhead follows the uploaded 2025 guidance: one-inch DoW seal positioned one-half inch from the left and top; blue or black printing; no substituted decorative badge.

The preview is a content and style aid; Word determines the final page breaks. Review the downloaded document before signature.

Staff papers

AFH 33-337 chapter 16 distinguishes papers by purpose. Choose the format before writing.

Use a centered uppercase three-part heading (paper type, ON, subject), one-inch margins, single spacing within bullets and blank lines between them. Include the point of contact, office, telephone, typist initials, and abbreviated date in the first-page identification line. Review the Word page count for concise papers.

Appointment memorandums

The correspondence format does not establish appointment authority. Identify the actual program instruction and paragraph, the appointee and role, the effective date, duration, responsibilities, and point of contact. The signer must have the authority to make the appointment. Do not invent a publication number or copy another program’s appointment language.

Publication coordination checklist

1. Work with the publications and forms manager to select the publication type, scope, and numbering.
2. Identify the governing authority, office of primary responsibility, applicability, and responsibilities.
3. Draft clear requirements and procedures. Resolve waiver authority and tier language through the responsible functional office.
4. Prepare the required front matter, references, glossary, figures, tables, and attachments for the publication type.
5. Coordinate with required offices, including affected organizations and legal review where required. Resolve comments and record the coordination.
6. Complete service authority, certification, approval, and publishing through the authorized process.

The local draft tool does not assign an official publication number, invent approval blocks, or publish to e-Publishing.

Awards and evaluations

Use DAFMAN 36-2806 for the applicable decoration and AFI 36-2406 with its attached guidance for evaluations. Award citations and performance briefs have separate rules; do not apply old bullet-writing examples from the 2015 handbook as current evaluation policy. The uploaded August 2026 evaluation memorandum changes feedback and chaplain evaluation requirements. These source references support a later dedicated builder.

Source editions

If a publication has moved, search its number at Air Force e-Publishing.