The Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI) Military Awards are presented to outstanding military members (Active, Reserve, or Guard) regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Nominations are accepted from every branch of the service. The Chairperson of the Military Affairs Committee (MAC) or designated officer, on behalf of the TAI Second Vice President, is responsible for the nomination, approval, and presentation of the Military Awards. These awards, although competitive, are intended to recognize not only the actual awardees but also those who were nominated.  Award Scoring Weights are 50-30-20 for Achievement, Development, and Community Service, respectively. Only four (4) nominees (one per category) from each wing or wing equivalent will be accepted. Individual Chapters have no authority or direct actions in the award process.

The nominees are military personnel who have demonstrated exceptional competence, leadership, and achievement. Their contributions must not only cover their superior performance while on military duty but should also cover contributions to their respective communities.

Submissions should cover the period of August 1st, of the previous calendar year through June 30th, of the current calendar year.

The following award categories are: 

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• General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Military Award: Named for our esteemed leader who has been an inspiration to all those who have followed and served under him. Awarded to a field grade officer who has exhibited outstanding performance in both performance and community service. 

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• Captain Robert W. Williams Military Award: Named for the pioneer aviator who spearheaded a movie project about the Tuskegee Airmen. He spent 43 years pitching his story and was turned down by every movie and television studio until Home Box Office (HBO) accepted the project in 1995. It became a worldwide success and earned 3 Emmy Awards, a Peabody, a Cable Ace, and 2 NAACP Image Awards. This award goes to a company-grade officer who has exhibited outstanding performance in both performance and community service. 

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• Chief Master Sergeant Fred Archer Military Award: Named for one of the first blacks to achieve the highest enlisted grade. He served with the famed 99th Pursuit Squadron as a Weapons Specialist. In his distinguished 35-year career, he was nominated three times to serve as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. This award goes to a senior noncommissioned officer who exhibits outstanding performance in both performance and community service. 

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• Senior Master Sergeant Margaret Frances Barbour Military Award: Named for SMSgt Margaret Frances Barbour. This award goes to a noncommissioned officer or airman who exhibits outstanding performance in both performance and community service.

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Submission Instructions

Please carefully read the below criteria and award submission procedures.

Award Nomination Packages are Accepted by E-MAIL ONLY.

• Please forward all submissions to taiawards@tuskegeeairmen.org.
  
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• Any Award Nomination Package received prior to 12:01 AM CDT / 01 Jun or after 11:59 PM CDT / 30 Jun will be disqualified.
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• All awards are based on accomplishments occurring from August 1st, of the previous year to June 30th, of the current year. A nominee shall only have one award submitted on their behalf per award cycle.
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• All Award Packages shall include a Nomination Transmittal Letter: This document nominates the individual and will be signed by the Wing Commander/Wing Commander equivalent (or designated representative). 
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• All Award Package submissions shall include an Award Justification: This document cites specific actions and qualifications justifying the nominee’s merit in the following three (3) areas: Professional Achievement, Professional Development, and Community/Public Service. The Justification Page can be an AF Form 1206 or plain, bond paper. It is limited to one page, maximum, in bullet format. You may use as many bullets as possible that will fit within the form with no continuation sheets allowed. All Categories should be covered in the bullets.
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• The Military has gone to the paragraph format it will be acceptable, but you have to remember you only have 1 page that can be submitted to the TAI Military Awards Committee, by using the bullet points it will give you more room to submit your performances if you use the bullet format.

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• If using acronyms and abbreviations, only utilize those identified on the approved Acronym and abbreviation List, link is below.  Military an DOD Dictionary with definition and acronyms list, if it is not listed without an acronym, please spell the words out. 

  https://irp.fas.org/doddir/dod/dictionary.pdf 

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