AIR FORCE ACRONYM & ABBREVIATION LIST

Guidance for writing Performance Statements is deliberately not overly prescriptive to enable flexibility and freedom when capturing performance. There are two basic principles: 

• Standalone. Each Performance Statement will be a standalone sentence and includes 1) action and 2) at least one of the following: impact or results/outcome. 
• Readability. Performance Statements are plain language and avoid using uncommon acronyms and abbreviations. If using acronyms and abbreviations, only utilize those identified on the approved Air Force Acronym and Abbreviation List, unless noted by an approved category. 

Performance Statements are the Air Force narrative-style of writing and consists of plain language words to communicate performance and achieve greater clarity to the broadest audience.

• Performance Statements avoid using acronyms and abbreviations.
• Inclusion on this list is associated with broad understanding; not frequency of use or functional significance.
• Inclusion on this list does not imply the acronym or abbreviation must be used; the default should be to spell out within Performance Statements.

• Common ranks/tiers across all services (SrA, Maj, Brig Gen, SNCO, etc...)
• Common office symbols (CC, CMSAF, A4, JA, etc…)
• Common organizations at squadron and above (CPTS, AFGSC, DoD, FBI, STARCOM, CCMD, FW, CJTF, etc...)
• Common weapons and platforms (F-16, AIM-9, HH-60, MILSTAR, etc…)
• Common symbols and measurements (lbs, MPH, $25B, 5%, hrs, FY23, etc…)

Thank you for your acronym and abbreviation submission(s). Your feedback is valuable and appreciated as the Air Force continues to enhance the evaluations process. There were over 4,500 acronyms submitted during the initial period open from 2022 to 2023. Each individual submission was reviewed and as a result, 39 acronyms and abbreviations have been added to the approved list, four outdated acronyms have been removed, and three acronyms have been updated. Since then, our second iteration from October 2023 to present has received over 5,900 submissions which are currently being evaluated alongside their justifications. The acronyms and abbreviations approval process has been revitalized to improve how submissions are received and adjudicated. The submission portal will be closed at this time, but the list will continue to be evaluated and updated. Thank you for your patience.

Enter your performance statement.