JULY 17, 2025 – Guardians and Airmen are eligible for decorations or promotions through recruiting referrals under the Airman and Guardian Referral Program.
Referral Programs
Two programs, Stellar Talent Acquisition Recruiting Referral and Stripes for Referrals, aim to incentivize all Airmen and Guardians to inspire the next generation to serve in the Air Force and Space Force.
Who is Eligible for Medals
STARR authorizes enlisted service members up to senior master sergeant and officers up to lieutenant colonel to receive up to two Air and Space Achievement Medals for referring three enlisted accessions applicants who depart for basic military training.
Additionally, any enlisted member or officer up to colonel, may receive the Air and Space Commendation Medal for referring five enlisted accessions applicants who depart for BMT.
Who is Eligible for Promotion
Stripes for Referrals allows Guardian and Airmen recruits to be promoted up to E-2 by referring two enlisted accessions candidates, or to E-3 by referring four enlisted accessions candidates who join the Delayed Entry Program or Delayed Entry Training.
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Aim High application to qualify for the Air and Space Achievement and Commendation Medals. All users must create an account and input information in the ‘Refer a Friend’ portion of the app to receive credit for valid referrals.
The Department of the Air Force launched a Barriers to Service Cross-Functional Team to examine existing policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the service members needed for the future. The programs are part of this initiative and serve as a cost-effective instrument for referring candidates and increasing enlistments throughout the DAF.
Learn More
More information on the STARR program can be found in DAFMAN 36-2806 and Stripes for Referrals in DAFMAN 36-2032.
To submit referrals via application:
- Download the Aim High Application on your mobile device
- Create an account using your full, first and last name and your .mil email address
- Open the application and look for the three horizontal lines at the bottom right labeled ‘more’
- Select ‘more’ and scroll to the bottom and select ‘Refer a Friend’
To learn more about serving in the Air Force, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, go to www.airforce.com/find-a-recruiter or download the AIM HIGH app to speak directly with a recruiter.
By Tech. Sgt. Della Creech
Air Force Reserve Command