DFAS Distinguished Civilian Service Award is the Agency’s highest honorary award. The DFAS Director grants the award to those civilian employees who have distinguished themselves by exemplary service or contributions of the broadest scope to DFAS or DoD.

DFAS Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the second highest DFAS honorary recognition for civilian employees. The DFAS Director grants the award to those civilian employees who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service or contributions of broad scope to DFAS or DoD.

DFAS Exemplary Career Service Award is granted by the DFAS Director and is most appropriately used at retirement to recognize civilian employees’ career service extending over a period of years and may include civilian and military service.

DFAS Award for Humanitarian Service is used to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves by direct participation in humanitarian operations directed toward an individual or a group.

Career Service Recognition is awarded to civilians applicable to their length of service beginning with 5 years of service and every 5 years thereafter until 50 years.

Letters of Recognition may be awarded to commend or express appreciation for noteworthy contributions not meeting the criteria for monetary or honorary awards.

Letters of Commendation recognize an employee for unusual work performance or an act or service that clearly exceeds that normally expected.

Letters of Appreciation may be awarded at any time to express appreciation to an employee for work performance, actions or service above that normally expected.

DFAS Exceptional Accomplishment Award is a monetary form of recognition granted for contributions resulting in tangible benefits or savings and/or intangible benefits to the Government. This award is presented for exceptional accomplishments on a continuing assignment or project that is within a team’s or individuals normal job responsibilities.

DFAS Special Act / Service Award is granted for a contribution or accomplishment in the public interest that is either in or outside of job responsibilities, a scientific achievement, or for the courageous handling of an emergency situation.

On-The-Spot Award (OTS) is a small Special Act or Service Award which may be given by a supervisor for great short-term or day-to-day accomplishments of employees.

Time-Off Award (TOA) is an alternative to a monetary or honorary award and may be granted for exceptional accomplishments, special acts, service or contributions.

Team/Group Awards recognize a team or group whose unified achievements set a high standard for innovation, creativity and/or professionalism that had a significant impact on the accomplishment of the mission. Team/Group awards may be honorary, non-monetary, cash, or a combination.

Performance Award is a monetary award given in recognition of high-level performance. Organizational accomplishments, including the employee’s overall contributions to mission accomplishment, should be a major consideration when recommending/approving performance awards for individual employees.

Quality Step Increases (QSIs) consist of an additional within-grade increase that can only be given to General Schedule (GS) employees. Employees with an Exceptional annual rating of record for the current rating period are eligible to receive the QSI.