DAF 3902: Application and Approval for Off-Duty Employment
The current DAF 3902 (20230111): applicant data, employer and job details, the 13 WILL / WILL NOT ethics certifications, then supervisor, JA, and commander action.
Every block on the DAF Form 3902
Laid out block for block like the official APPLICATION AND APPROVAL FOR OFF-DUTY EMPLOYMENT (20230111 edition), with the instruction for each block. Name, rank, and unit prefill from your service profile.
Section i - applicant data and certification (Completed by Applicant)
- 1Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial
- 2Grade
- 3AFSC
- 4Organization Office Symbol Address
- 5Duty Phone
- 6Duty Title
- 7aName of Employer
- 7bBusiness Address
- 7cIs Employer a Department of Defense Contractor?
If Yes or Don't Know, expect the legal office to look closely for conflicts of interest.
- 7dPhone Number
- 8Title of Position of Off-Duty Employment
- 9Off-Duty Periods of Employment (Days per week; hours per day)
- 10Job Description (Continue on reverse side)
- 11Normal Periods of Military Duty (Days per week; hours per day)
Certification: i certify that i understand the applicable provisions of the joint ethics regulation (DoD 5500.7-R). The off-duty employment for which I am applying (mark applicable block):
- 12Bring discredit upon the Air Force, Department of Defense or U.S. Government.
Explain in detail on the reverse any answer that results in checking a box "WILL." A "WILL" doesn't automatically result in disapproval but requires an explanation.
- 13Interfere with or be incompatible with my government duties.
- 14Interfere with the customary or regular employment of local civilians. (Enlisted members only)
- 15Require absences during normal military duty hours.
- 16Involve any expense to the Air Force or use of government facilities, property or manpower.
- 17Endanger my safety or health.
- 18Involve the use of my military title or representation before any federal agency.
- 19Involve employment with an organization now involved in a strike.
- 20Place me in a position that might be incompatible with my rank, position or assignment.
- 21Require action at any time as a sales agent for the purpose of personal commercial solicitation of military personnel junior in rank or grade.
- 22Appear to involve a conflict of interest.
- 23Involve working for a firm or other entity that is engaged, or is endeavoring to engage, in business transactions of any sort with an agency of the Department of Defense.
- 24Violate any U.S., state or local law; ordinance; or Air Force regulation or instruction.
- Explanation of any "WILL" answers and continuation (reverse side)
Explain every WILL in detail, and continue blocks 10, 31, and 35 here if needed.
- 25aDate Signed
- 25bSignature of Applicant
Section ii - supervisor's recommendation
- 26–27Supervisor's Recommendation
- Explanation (if disapproval)
- 28aDate Signed
- 28bName and Grade of Supervisor
- 28cSignature
Section iii - judge advocate recommendation
- 29–30Judge Advocate Recommendation
- 31Remarks (Continue on reverse side)
- 32aDate Signed
- 32bName and Grade
- 32cSignature
Section iv - approving authority action (Completed by Unit Commander or Delegatee)
- 33–34Approving Authority Action
- 35Remarks (Continue on reverse side)
- 36aDate Signed
- 36bName, Grade and Title
- 36cSignature
How to fill out the DAF Form 3902
The DAF Form 3902 is how an Airman or Guardian asks permission to take off-duty employment (a second job, self-employment, or freelance work). The supervisor recommends, the judge advocate reviews for ethics issues, and the commander or delegate approves. The AF Form 3902 was renumbered DAF Form 3902 in January 2023. When: Before you start any off-duty job or business, and again if the job, employer, or hours change. Many installations require it for all enlisted members and for any job with a DoD contractor.
Step by step
- Complete Section I: your data, the employer, whether the employer is a DoD contractor, the position title, the job description, and your off-duty and normal duty hours.
- Mark WILL or WILL NOT for each certification in blocks 12–24. Explain every WILL on the reverse (it doesn't automatically mean disapproval).
- Sign and date blocks 25a–b and give the form to your supervisor, who interviews you and recommends approval or disapproval (Section II).
- The legal office reviews and recommends (Section III), then the commander or delegate approves or disapproves (Section IV).
- Don't start work until Section IV is approved. Keep a copy.
What a strong one looks like
- Be specific about hours. Show that the job fits outside your normal duty hours, and say how you'll handle recalls, exercises, and deployments.
- If the employer does business with DoD, answer 7c honestly and expect closer legal review.
- Don't use your military title, uniform, or government equipment for the business.
Common mistakes
- Starting the job before approval.
- Leaving a WILL answer unexplained.
- Selling products or services to Airmen junior to you (block 21). That's a common reason for disapproval.