BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 44-172
13 NOVEMBER 2015
Certified Current, 23 April 2020
AIR FORCE RESERVE COMMAND
Supplement
13 APRIL 2022
Medical Operations
MENTAL HEALTH
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at
www.e-Publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AFMOA/SGHW Certified by: AF/SG3/5
(Maj Gen Dorothy A. Hogg)
Pages: 82
(AFRC)
OPR: USAF/AFRC/SG3 Certified by: USAF/AFRC/SG
(Col Julianna L. Olson)
Pages: 7
This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 44-1, Medical Operations; Public
Laws 101-510 and 102-484. It incorporates requirements outlined in Department of Defense
Instruction (DODI) 6490.04, Mental Health Evaluations of Members of the Military Services;
DODI 6490.08, Command Notification Requirements to Dispel Stigma in Providing Mental Health
Care to Service Members; DODI 6490.09, DoD Directors of Psychological Health; DODI
6490.10, Continuity of Behavioral Health Care for Transferring and Transitioning Service
Members; DODI 6490.11, DoD Policy Guidance for Management of Mild Traumatic Brain
Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting; DODI 6490.13, Comprehensive Policy on
Neurocognitive Assessments by the Military Services; DODI 6490.15, Integration of Behavioral
Health Personal Services Into Patient-Centered Medical Home Primary Care and Other Primary
Care Service Settings; and Assistant Secretary of Defense/Health Affairs Memorandum, Military
Treatment Facility Mental Health Outcomes Guidance, 9 September 2013. This instruction
provides guidance for the operation of the Mental Health (MH) services [as distinguished from the
