[2] The Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon is awarded to any enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force who is nominated by their Major Command, Field Operating Agency, or Direct Reporting Unit for competition in the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Program.

[3] The Outstanding Airman of the Year program recognizes 12 enlisted members from a cross section of Air Force Career fields.

Nominations are based only on the member's performance and achievement for the prior calendar year.

Though only the prior year is used for nominations, nominees must pass a certain level of scrutiny for their total life and career since nominees are expected to be the most outstanding representatives of the Air Force enlisted force.

Subsequent awards of the ribbon are represented by oak leaf clusters, with the service star being worn to the wearers right.