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 future Best counseling is always FORWARD LOOKING

Counseling Rules Face-to-face counseling mandatory DA Form 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 Soldier 2.Prepare duty description 3.Update rating chain 4.Prepare working copy of NCOER 5.Familiarize yourself with values/ responsibilities 6.Relate them to duty position 7.Determine success requirements 8.Prepare notes for counseling 9.Review counseling tips in FM 6-22

NCO Counseling Checklist DA Form 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 Through Rating 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/ supervision Rated NCO Rater Senior Rater Reviewer Platoon SGT Platoon Leader Commander BN Commander SFC Posey 2LT Tan CPT Lilly LTC Paisley

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 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 III Peer Review & Feedback Use Sample NCOER & NCOER Preparation Guide as references

NCOER: Part IV

Small Group Activity Counseling 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 Activity NCOER 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 Activity Part 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.