AFI 33 360 Vol 1 Air Force Content Management Program INSTRUCTION VERSUS OPERATING INSTRUCTION The information below should help you

							                 INSTRUCTION VERSUS OPERATING INSTRUCTION

The information below should help you decide if you should issue an instruction through the
Base Publications Management Office or an operating instruction through your unit.

AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 18 May 06:

Table 2.1: Instructions. Field Instructions issue organization-specific information. Field
Instructions will not be used to directly implement higher headquarters publications; field
activities must use Supplements to implement higher-headquarters publications. Exception: If
no departmental-level guidance is provided (e.g. AFI, AFMAN, etc.), commands may issue
command instructions to implement AFPDs and AF supplements to DODDs.                     Once
departmental-level guidance is published, the command must rescind its instruction and issue a
supplement to the higher headquarters guidance.

Table 2.1: Operating Instructions: OIs assign responsibilities, direct actions, and prescribe
procedures within a subordinate function (i.e. a staff office, a branch, a division, a squadron,
etc.). They follow the same format as departmental-level publications.

AETC Supplement to AFI 33-360, Volume 1, Air Force Content Management Program –
Publications, 14 Mar 03

2.2.8.2. Guidance contained in an operating instruction (OI) applies only to that organizational
element; that is, guidance cannot cross functional lines. For example, if a branch publishes an
OI, the guidance contained in that OI applies only to personnel in that branch.


Information pertaining to forms and Operating Instructions:

AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, 18 May 06:

3.1.1. Definition of a Form. A tool prescribed in an official publication used for the collection,
recording, and/or extraction of information whereby a predetermined set of data fields have been
established and defined to meet a definitive AF purpose or objective.

AETC Supplement to AFI 33-360, Volume 2, Air Force Content Management Program –
Information Management Tools, 3 Jul 01

1.5.3. ...Headquarters (local) forms used by two or more staff agencies are prescribed in local
standard or specialized publications (excluding operating instructions).