Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report

(NCOER) Counseling

Purpose of NCOER Face-to-Face Counseling

• Improve or maintain performance and professionally develop the rated NCO

• Develop and communicate performance standards to the rated NCO at beginning of rating period

• Provide feedback regarding progress in meeting goals throughout rating period– Do not dwell on past; consider how to

improve futureBest counseling is always FORWARD LOOKING

Counseling Rules

• Face-to-face counseling mandatory• DA Form 2166-8-1 mandatory for CPL

thru CSM• Initial counseling within 30 days of

rating period• Later counseling sessions conducted

quarterly• Duty description as means to

evaluate

Subordinate-Centered (2-Way) Communication is Critical

• Subordinates assume an active role in the counseling session and maintain responsibility for their actions

• Following skills assist leaders in subordinate-centered counseling:– Active Listening– Responding– Questioning

Leader Acts as a Counselor

• Leaders have a responsibility to develop subordinates

• During counseling, leader acts primarily as a helper, not a judge

• Following qualities help leader to assume effective role during counseling:– Respect for subordinates– Self and Cultural Awareness– Credibility

Basic Counseling Steps

Preparation for Counseling

1. Schedule and notify Soldier2. Prepare duty description3. Update rating chain4. Prepare working copy of NCOER5. Familiarize yourself with values/

responsibilities6. Relate them to duty position7. Determine success requirements8. Prepare notes for counseling9. Review counseling tips in FM 6-22

NCO Counseling ChecklistDA Form 2166-8-1

• Contains instructions/guidance for preparing and conducting counseling sessions and for writing duty descriptions

• Provides sample bullets• Summarizes the counseling session• Serves as a record of counseling

Improves performance counseling by providing structure and discipline to the process

NCOER

The NCOER System

Rating Chain Provides Best Performance & Potential Evaluation

NCOER Roles Assigned ThroughRating Schemes

• Lists the rating officials of each NCO assigned/ attached to a unit

• Commander’s responsibilities:– publishing, updating, and posting

rating schemes– ensuring rating schemes mirror the

chain of command/ supervisionRated NCO Rater Senior Rater Reviewer

Platoon SGT Platoon Leader Commander BN Commander SFC Posey 2LT Tan CPT Lilly LTC Paisley971124 971222 970511 970326

Types of Reports

Types of Reports(continued)

Rating Chain Qualifications

Rater Responsibilities• Counsel rated NCO on duty performance

and professional development monthly/events (EXEVAL, CALFEX, etc). Army standard is quarterly

• Prepare DA Form 2166-8-1 for each rating period

• Assess performance of rated NCO & document on checklist and working copy of NCOER

• Prepare a fair, correct report• Enter his/her signature in Part IIa (NCOER)

Evaluates focusing on performance and performance counseling

Rater Tips

NCOER: Parts I, II, and IIIPeer Review & Feedback

Use Sample NCOER & NCOER Preparation Guide as references

NCOER: Part IV

Small Group ActivityCounseling Role-Play

Activity: First Counseling Session

• Ensure NCO knows rating chain• Discuss duty description• Discuss values / responsibilities• Discuss standards for success• Give specific examples of excellence• Allow NCO to make suggestions or ask

questions• Record key points and obtain NCO

initials

Activity: Later Counseling Sessions

Update duty description Discuss what he/she did well and could

do better Record key points discussed Update checklist and working copy

NCOER Obtain NCO initials

In-Class ActivityNCOER Part IV

• Scenario:It is time to rate your platoon sergeant for whom you’ve completed Parts I-III of the NCOER. He/She is by far the best NCO in the unit. He/she excels in nearly all values and responsibilities. His/Her overall performance and potential is very high. Complete Part IV of his/her NCOER form, rating accordingly.TIME LIMIT: 10 minutes

• In pairs, review partner’s work and briefly share feedback

Use Sample NCOER and NCOER Preparation Guide for reference

NCOER: Part V

Senior Rater Responsibilities Become familiar with rated NCO’s performance Prepare a fair, correct report Enter his/her signature in Part IIb (NCOER) Obtain the rated NCO’s signature in Part IIe

(NCOER) Explain absence of counseling statements Ensure bullet comments support ratings Enter appropriate statement in Part Ve when

rater does not meet qualifications Do not direct rater to change an evaluation

that he/she believes to be honest

Evaluates potential, overviews performance evaluation, and mentors

Senior Rater Tips• Check early to ensure rater is counseling and has

a checklist• Must address potential—promotion, schools,

assignment– Include recommendations for future

• Be on same sheet of music as rater throughout period—resolve differences early

In-Class ActivityPart V

• Assuming same scenario, complete Part V for your imaginary platoon sergeant

• In pairs, review partner’s work and briefly share feedback

Use Sample NCOER and NCOER Preparation Guide for reference

Reviewer Responsibilities Ensure proper rating chain completes the

report Ensure rater and SR evaluations are clear,

consistent, and fair Ensure bullets support ratings Indicate agreement/disagreement with

rater and senior rater Sign Part IId (NCOER) Sign Parts IIa and b when also serving as

rater and SR

Provides rating safeguard and overwatch

Class Discussion

Assisting a soldier to resolve his/her problems ... contributes

to good unit morale. This, in turn, assists you in

accomplishing your mission.