Fencer, FYI, those awards are in April for ROTC. It will help him if he applies next yr., but not now.
Things that are starting to kick up now are jobs in the det. and pledging a military fraternity, like AAS, HG, Silver Wings, Angel Flight, etc. which would be ECs.
I would say go for it if he has a job in the det., and is pledging, because the ball is moving forward. However, depending on the size of the det., there may be too many C100's for every cadet to get a job, thus, they try to hand out special assignments during the semester to pump up their resume.
My best advice would be to talk to the det. if they have not yet already and make your intentions clear that you are applying for the AFA. They are going to want that ROTC nom., hence they need the Command input.
The det. will give them guidance, especially if there are other cadets applying. Some dets can have 100 C100's. Chances are there maybe more than 1 applying. That means the CC's nom may be telling in the cadet they support. There is a difference in my TOP C100 and ONE OF MY TOP C100's.
Additionally, around the end of Nov. many dets. announce the jobs for spring semester. If he waits he can add that into the EC's.
Remember college candidates don't get their PAR scored until after Dec., because they are waiting for their 1st semester grades for the gpa.