Do I have to give a Soldier a copy of the DA Form 4856 counseling form? | AskTOP.net – Leader Development for Army Professionals

Do I have to give a Soldier a copy of the DA Form 4856 counseling form?

What regulation says I have to provide a copy of counseling to the soldier being counseled?

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Great Question.  If you check the back of the DA FORM 4856 there is a Note.  It states:

Both the Counselor and the Individual counseled should retain a record of the counseling. Typically a Soldier is entitled to a copy of anything they sign.

 

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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

  • Patrick

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    What if the soldier had refused to sign the counseling, does he still have right to a copy of the 4856?

    • Mark Gerecht

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      Usually Soldier are only receive a copy of documents they sign. However, there is a note on the back of the DA FORM 4856 that states:

      Note: Both the counselor and the individual counseled should retain a record of the counseling

      Therefore I see no problem with a Soldier obtaining a copy of the counseling statement. The Counselor can simply enter Soldier refused to sign and if they desire have someone sign as a witness.

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      • aloysious thomas

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        Please help me with reference

      • Mark Gerecht

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        Look on the back page of the DA FORM 4856 on the bottom footer. It states: Note: Both the counselor and the individual counseled should retain a record of the counseling
        There is nothing in to my knowledge in ADP/ADRP 6-22 or ATP 6.22-1 that states an individual must receive a copy. However typical legal and Human Resource standards are that an individual is entitled to a copy of anything they sign for their personal records

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