Conduct Counseling

Objectives Given references, Non- Commissioned Officers, and instruction in a class room environment, new NCOs will learn the fundamentals of counseling, some approaches to counseling, and relate these to different situations. Given references, Non- Commissioned Officers, and instruction in a class room environment, new NCOs will learn the fundamentals of counseling, some approaches to counseling, and relate these to different situations.

References FM , Military Leadership FM , Military Leadership FM , Leadership Counseling FM , Leadership Counseling THE MENTOR 3 rd Edition by MSG Mark Gerecht (Ret.) THE MENTOR 3 rd Edition by MSG Mark Gerecht (Ret.)

The Counseling Form DA Form 4856-E, JUN 99 (Developmental Counseling Form) (11,12) DA Form 4856-E, JUN 99 (Developmental Counseling Form) (11,12)

Types of Counselings Initial Initial Monthly Monthly Promotion Promotion Disciplinary Disciplinary PLDC PLDC Family Care Plan Family Care Plan Performance Performance etc………… etc…………

Approaches to Counseling Directive – Counselor led, most effective in dealing with Disciplinary problems and has short term effects. Directive – Counselor led, most effective in dealing with Disciplinary problems and has short term effects. Non-Directive – Soldier-centered, takes responsibility for solving the problem. Takes longer and is more relaxed Non-Directive – Soldier-centered, takes responsibility for solving the problem. Takes longer and is more relaxed Combined – Most commonly used, a combination of both approaches. (13) Combined – Most commonly used, a combination of both approaches. (13)

Leader Actions In developing proper attitude and behavior, the leader should be aware of the characteristic aspects of effective counseling. These Include: In developing proper attitude and behavior, the leader should be aware of the characteristic aspects of effective counseling. These Include: Flexibility Flexibility Respect Respect Communication Communication Support Support Motivation Motivation Purpose Purpose (LC, 12)

Sources of Power Legitimate Power Legitimate Power Reward Power Reward Power Coercive Power Coercive Power Referent Power Referent Power Expert Power Expert Power -Soldiers will accept guidance and follow directions from a leader they believe knows the correct action or solution. This confidence is important in combat when soldiers must believe their leader is able to get them through dangerous situations. (LC,14) -Soldiers will accept guidance and follow directions from a leader they believe knows the correct action or solution. This confidence is important in combat when soldiers must believe their leader is able to get them through dangerous situations. (LC,14)

Forms of Influence Mapping Alternatives Mapping Alternatives Recommending Recommending Persuading Persuading Urging Urging Advising Advising Commanding Commanding Punishing Punishing(LC,16)

Before the session, don’t forget to…. Notify the soldier Notify the soldier Ensure that the soldier knows the location and that the counseling does not interfere with any other requirements from senior leadership Ensure that the soldier knows the location and that the counseling does not interfere with any other requirements from senior leadership You may choose to inform the soldier of the purpose of the counseling. It is best to inform the soldier, to put his/her mind at ease. You may choose to inform the soldier of the purpose of the counseling. It is best to inform the soldier, to put his/her mind at ease. Schedule a time Schedule a time Inform the soldier of the time Inform the soldier of the time Choose a suitable place for counseling Choose a suitable place for counseling Select an environment free from interruptions (13,14) Select an environment free from interruptions (13,14)

Before the session, don’t forget to…. Plan the discussion Plan the discussion - Determine the points you wish to cover - Determine the points you wish to cover - Make notes on 3x5 cards - Make notes on 3x5 cards - Do not get away from the issue, unless the subject requires immediate attention, or in some way is related to the issue at hand - Do not get away from the issue, unless the subject requires immediate attention, or in some way is related to the issue at hand - Ensure you have appropriate documentation and references available - Ensure you have appropriate documentation and references available - Identify the problem from the leader’s perspective - Identify the problem from the leader’s perspective - Try to understand the situation from the soldier’s point of view (13,14) - Try to understand the situation from the soldier’s point of view (13,14)

Considerations when Counseling Conduct counselings at a time when it does not interfere with other activities Conduct counselings at a time when it does not interfere with other activities Do not tolerate any breaches of integrity, in any form Do not tolerate any breaches of integrity, in any form Never hold a grudge, it is unprofessional Never hold a grudge, it is unprofessional Never protect a soldier from discipline (14,15) Never protect a soldier from discipline (14,15)

Methods of Motivation Letters of Appreciation Letters of Appreciation Certificates of Achievement Certificates of Achievement Unit Certification Certificates Unit Certification Certificates Writing formal letter Writing formal letter Distribute Key leader cards Distribute Key leader cards Recognize the FSG Recognize the FSG P.O.B. P.O.B. Recognize specific achievements (20) Recognize specific achievements (20)

Corrective Training Remember: The punishment has to fit the crime!!! Remember: The punishment has to fit the crime!!! DO NOT confuse corrective training with extra duty-they are NOT the same DO NOT confuse corrective training with extra duty-they are NOT the same Remedial training MAY be performed after duty hours (47) Remedial training MAY be performed after duty hours (47)

Remember…. Nobody is perfect, it will take time for you to get your own feel as a counselor Nobody is perfect, it will take time for you to get your own feel as a counselor It is important for us to remain professional as NCOs to give our soldiers 100% It is important for us to remain professional as NCOs to give our soldiers 100% Never cheat your soldiers-going easy on your soldier makes no impact in the long run. This will only perhaps create an new NCO who does the same thing to his/her soldiers. Never cheat your soldiers-going easy on your soldier makes no impact in the long run. This will only perhaps create an new NCO who does the same thing to his/her soldiers.

And lastly…. A good counselor is always prepared A good counselor is always prepared

End of Instruction Situations (65) Situations (65)