The Department of the Air Force has published the 2026 edition of Air Force Handbook 1, "Airman," updating the foundational guide utilized by enlisted personnel for daily operations, professional force development and promotion testing.
Designed as a primary reference across the service, these changes include the formal integration of the Enlisted Performance Brief, physical readiness policies, inspection guidance, benefits, military justice information, and more.
Within Chapters 8 and 9, this updated guidance reflects the service's transition from legacy bullet-style evaluation reports to narrative performance statements. The revised chapters outline how performance is documented against Enlisted Airman Leadership Qualities, specify requirements for transparent misconduct reporting in evaluations, and define promotion board processes for noncommissioned and senior noncommissioned officers.
Physical readiness policies in Chapter 22 have also been updated to align with AFMAN 36-2905, Air Force Physical Fitness Readiness Program. The text outlines the transition to the Physical Fitness Readiness Assessment and the new Physical Fitness Reporting Platform. These updates detail year-round physical conditioning standards, administrative procedures for unsatisfactory scores and command oversight requirements for long-term medical exemptions.
Chapters 20 and 21 contain revised guidance on inspections, workplace standards and military justice. The military justice section incorporates statutory reforms, including the independent prosecutorial authority of the Office of Special Trial Counsel and the formalization of the Safe-to-Report policy. The standards and inspections sections align processes with DAFI 90-302, establish inspection "Gatekeepers" to coordinate schedules, and update the Equal Opportunity section to focus strictly on resolving unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Personnel programs and benefits under Chapter 11 have also been revised, updating policies on military leave, family member assignment restrictions, and voluntary assignment incentives for stabilized or extended overseas tours.
As updates are distributed across nearly every chapter of the document, all Airmen preparing for the Weighted Airman Promotion System and daily duties should conduct a complete review of the new edition.
The 2026 edition of AFH-1 is currently available on the e-Publishing website for review and study.
