How can I correct an unfair NCOER before it hits my official record? | AskTOP.net – Leader Development for Army Professionals

How can I correct an unfair NCOER before it hits my official record?

I am a Reserve Soldier and have PCS'd with my AC spouse last spring and am just now getting my NCOER from my previous unit. The rating period is from 1 Sep to 31 Aug. The first one was a joke. I replied back having to send them a copy of the APFT they administered since the NCOER stated I had not taken one within the time frame of the NCOER and was given a "needs improvement". He fixed the NCOER and entered one bullet for each section which wasn't on the first one.

I also requested that my 40+ volunteer hours as my spouses unit's FRG Leader be included. The rater is giving excuses that I was not being tracked during that time and he can't verify I actually did the volunteering because they didn't see me do it. While I was in the middle of having to find a new unit on my own because they would not help, I made sure Medpros stayed updated, my online training was always done etc. I did everything I was asked to do during the time they claim I was not being tracked. I was never counseled during the whole period and the rater entered dates of non existent counselings.

How can he enter dates for counselings that never existed and claim I wasn't being tracked and refuse to add my volunteer hours which I feel deserves an excellent bullet? I said I would get the documentation for the hours, but he still says he didn't see me do it. Is the appeal process my only choice? And, will it hold up with my documentation and MFR's from my spouses command?

The Evaluator - Army Evaluation & Counseling Guide

Let’s break this problem down into workable chunks

How can I correct an unfair NCOER?

Issue: Entering counseling dates on the NCOER when no counseling sessions were conducted: This is perhaps the most serious issue you have raised. Placing false information on an official form is fraudulent and a violation of integrity. This usually occurs because the rating chain is unfamiliar with the correct process or they do not want other leaders in the unit to know they failed to conduct counseling sessions as required by regulation.

Solution: Refer to AR 623-3 paragraph 3-15 “When counseling was not completed and dates are omitted on the form, enter a statement in Part Ve of DA Form 2166–8 explaining the reason why counseling was not accomplished.” Statement could read “Rater failed to conduct counseling IAW with AR 623-3”

Issue: Lack of knowledge concerning your achievements and status: This issue occurs with active duty Soldiers too but appears to be more common among Guard and Reserve Solders.  It is usually a result of inadequate interaction between the rater and the Soldier. This lack of interaction is usually caused by one of the following conditions: geographical separation of the rater and Soldier or other unit factors that make communication and observation difficult (such as individuals not attending drill as required, or individuals frequently TDY/at schooling during the rating period).

Solution: Make a list of your achievements that you would like to see annotated on your NCOER along with all supporting paperwork and turn it into your rater for review.

Issue: Rater will not place volunteer comment on my NCOER. The rater is under no obligation to place comments on your NCOER.  However, if you can provide proof such achievements occurred the rater will usually concede.  However, the rater could still simply enter a “Meets the Standard” rating.

Solution: Provide documentation to rater

Issue: First NCOER contained a Needs Improvement. This action shows a lack of communication between you and the rater.

Solution: Retain the original NCOER with the needs improvement rating as documentation in case you decide to file a commander’s inquiry or appeal.

Issue: Rater states he cannot annotate achievements on your NCOER because he did not see you do it. Again if you can provide documented proof by a neutral or disinterested party (such as a leader in your spouse’s unit) or provide official documentation of training the rater must now determine why he should not give you credit.

Solution: Provide written request for inclusion of achievement on your NCOER and provide documentation.

Issue: Rater states you are not being tracked. What does he mean by this? Was he your rater during this time or was this time outside the rating period he is covering in your report?

Solution: If the rater was not your rater during the time-frame of the achievement it would be considered unrated time. If he was your rater it could be included.

I believe we have gone through most of your concerns.  Now let’s review the process for trying to obtain a reasonable solution.

Let’s look at this issue from a different perspective. To a young leader, let’s say an E-5–this report may seem very important. However, in the grand scheme of things, the report will not have a large impact on your career because by the time you are an SSG looking for promotion to SFC it will be so far back in your records it probably will not matter. Furthermore, if all your previous evaluations and your future reports are exceptional most boards will give you the benefit of the doubt and view this report as outside the norm.

The following information assumes your NCOER has not been completed and forwarded to HRC:

What options does your rater have?

  1. He could simply give you a “meets the standard” rating in all areas with no bullet comments and the senior rater could write a statement that says: “Rater failed to conduct proper counseling IAW AR 623-3”.  This would be an acceptable report and (short of a commander’s inquiry) there is not much you can do.
  2. He could leave the report as it now stands and you could file a commander’s inquiry and most likely the counseling dates would be removed and the senior rater would add a statement regarding the lack of counseling.
  3. He could reach a reasonable compromise with you.

What options do you have?

  1. Read AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3 extensively.  It has a lot of information regarding the counseling process.  Also look under the rater and senior rater responsibility section as they go into detail on how the rater needs to conduct counseling.
  2. Write a letter to your rater that is factual, professional, and unemotional. Ask that he incorporate the achievements you have requested based on the factual documentation you provided. Express your concern over the false information contained on the report. Work with your rater to achieve a compromise that works for both of you.
  3. Consider making a formal request for a commander’s Inquiry. In this document you can address the false information on the report explain that you have tried to reach a reasonable solution with the rater. Lay out all your information in a factual and unemotional format.
  4. Should your commander’s inquiry fail or come back too late you can move on to the appeals process. A favorable commander’s inquiry can be used to strengthen an appeal.  However, lack of counseling alone is not grounds for an appeal.
  5. You should also consider speaking with the senior rater. If your senior rater has given you great comments and a 1×1 rating this will speak volumes to the board about your rater.

For example if your Senior rater was to write:

A. Rater failed to conduct proper counseling IAW AR 623-3
B. A self starter that ensures mission success
C. Assign as Squad Leader immediately
D. Challenge him with difficult assignments
E. Send to WLC immediately

These comments or similar comments would show a significant disagreement with the rater and pretty much neutralize his comments or lack of comments

You need to act quickly so that the corrections to the report can be made prior to submission to HRC. Once the report is in your records the process becomes more complicated and the chances of having the report removed or corrected are significantly reduced.

If you approach this situation as a professional armed with the facts, most leaders will give you the benefit of the doubt. You may not be totally satisfied but odds are there will be some changes to the report. In closing you need to be able to clearly explain to your leaders what you believe an acceptable report would look like.  So take your time and fill out the report the way you would like to see it. Back up your comments with facts and documentation. The fact the leader did not conduct counseling, did not know you took your PT test, and placed false counseling dates on your report should provide enough information for you to obtain some changes.  You should also ask the chain of command how they would feel if they were treated in this manner. Have them put themselves in your position.

Additional information concerning evaluation reports can be found in AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3

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Mark is a Retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of military leadership experience. He held 3 military occupational specialties (Field Artillery, Nuclear Weapons Tech, and Ammunition Ordnance). Mark is one of the leading military authors in the fields of leadership, counseling, and training.

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    Comments

  • LaRae

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    I recieved my first NCOer and recieved a 3, 3 on it. and was told i had to sign it even though there were not initial counseling dates give but it is on the form. I have gone above and beyond as a cook and my Ncoer does not reflect anything i have accomplished. During our A.T. I was the only cook cooking for apx. 30 people, for family day i was the ONLY cook cooking for the families even though it was an FRG thing and we had a successful Holiday meal because of me. I have never recieved recongintion from my unit and my NCOer is a joke, not to mention KPs are not usually provided so I am doing everything from cooking, paperwork and cleaning. none of this reflects on my ncoer at all. Not to mention i didn’t get my NCOer until 2 months after it was due. Can i contest this? they told me by it is being my first one no one will ever get an excellence even if they are prove they are amongst the best there has to be room for improvement which doesnt make sense to me. if you are giving it your all and your amongst the best and it shows why are you being penalized for that, can i possibly improve more than my best. makes no sense.

    • SSG Jones

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      Signing your NCOER does not mean you agree with what’s written. It only means you have been given the chance to view it and to verify personal information is accurate. You can take it up the chain if you don’t agree with what’s on it. They have to prove you were a unfit NCO with giving you a bad review. If there’s no supporting documents you should be good to go.

  • Luis

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    So long story short. I am on TDY and my NCOER was not finished by the time I left. I will be here for six months. I started asking for my NCOER because my new/temporary Chain wanted to see my last NCOER. They sent me a mediocre NCOER. My current boss(MSG) went over it and pointed out all the things that did not make sense or were incorrect because I could get scrutinized at the E-7 board. So I sent the corrections back and got no answer. 3 weeks later I get an NCOER with the “New Counseling Dates” that never actually happened and the rest of the blocks were left unchanged. I sent back many emails, even a scanned copy of my NCOER with the highlighted areas. The rater writes back that “I will see what I can do because it went up the chain and after many reviews from higher thats what I got back…”Plus now instead of being rated as a 1-1, now Im a 2-1, as if saying “You want to make corrections? Well, here you go..” Isnt he the rater? Didn’t he write it? 2 weeks later after no answer, I get the “NEW” and improved NCOER. This time from the 1SG. No changes were made. As if saying “This time its the 1SG sending you the NCOER and asking you to sign it. DO IT!”

    I then sent him a very respectful and professional email explaining the situation. I added as attachments all 3 progressing NCOERS plus scanned copies of all email traffic.

    If this fails what should I do? Who I can bring this up to? Thanks….

    • SGT NICK

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      That’s really not going to help just because you have progressing ncoers it doesn’t mean they are going to get better and better. Your evaluation only covers the rated time, not past ncoers. Technically you would be surprised what constitutes a lot of excellence blocks and a 1-1. I hope you kept a I love me book to cover everything that you have done within the last year, if they sat down and actually went through everything you done they’re going to want a lot of paperwork proving that you should get a 1-1 or a lot of excellence blocks. Also your senior rater gave you that 2-1 not your rater, obviously someone in your chain of command probably doesn’t think you’re a superstar, if you don’t have paperwork proving that you are then there is little you can do.

    • Mark Gerecht

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      Luis,
      AR 623-3 makes it clear that the actual contents of the NCOER are up to the Rater. You can provide them all the information you want but ultimately it is the Rater’s call. Now that does not prevent you from putting together a list of achievements about your accomplishments during the rating period. In fact I encourage all Soldiers to do this as it makes the Rater’s job easier.

      With regard to falsifying counseling dates, your signature verifies that the counseling dates did take place. If you sign an NCOER with false counseling dates you are acknowledging those counselings took place. It pretty much nullifies your ability to appeal as the appeals board would ask themselves “Why would you sign a report that contains false information?” I would encourage you to read the following ASKTOP.net Q&A’s as they might have information pertinent to your situation.

      Can my Rater falsify counseling dates on my NCOER?

      What does my signature mean on the NCOER?

      So the bottom line is if you sign the NCOER you are stating the counseling dates took place. The proper procedures when a Rater fails to counsel the Rated Soldier are:
      1. The counseling dates on the NCOER are left blank
      2. The senior rater makes a comment in the senior rater portion of the NCOER something like: Rater failed to conduct counseling IAW AR 623-3.
      3. Then the rating chain is free to write what they want.
      Note: The reference for this can be found in DA PAM 623-3 under the Senior Rater portion of how to fill out the form.

      Based on the information you provided it is difficult to appeal an NOCER based on the items you outlined in your post. However if they falsify the counseling dates and you do not sign the NCOER they you should have the ability to file an appeal. In the appeal you can address the false counseling dates, you can request statements from others in the unit that might be able to support your claims, include a copy of the rating chain, provide the all the evidence including your emails. Before making your decision I would encourage you to read AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3 as they pertain to initiating an appeal.

      Take your time, read all the information you can find about appealing an NCOER. I would also encourage you to make a “PRO’s & CON’s” worksheet. This allows you to lay out the facts of the issue by looking at both sides of the issue. You might also consider taking your situation to the IG and/or JAG and ask them for an opinion on your specific case. They might be able to provide you information on items you might have missed or give you a better way to approach the issue. Once you have done your research you can look at the issue from a factual perspective.

      NOTE
      : Sometime in the near future we expect to launch a new service in which we assist Leaders in preparing Appeals and Commander Inquiries for a fee. We are currently discussing how best to implement this process as it is a time consuming to prepare these documents as we want to ensure they are both professional and factual to ensure the Leader has the best possible chance at success.

      Did you find this information useful? We appreciate your feedback!

      HOPE THIS HELPS
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