Initial NCO Counseling Example

  Purpose of Counseling

    Performance Counseling: Initial Counseling

o Welcome SSG Hancock, John S. as a new member of the unit
o Conduct initial counseling
o Encourage open communication
o Give Soldier opportunity to present any issues encountered during or since reception counseling
o Review reception/integration process for failures or needed improvements

1. SSG Hancock, as a section Sergeant, you will be responsible for the section and I will rely on you for information and current status of personnel, equipment, operations, readiness, training, and other day-to-day matters.

2. As section leader, you are expected to conduct yourself as a professional and set the example. Demonstrate integrity and fairness in your interactions with your Soldiers. Your actions should focus on three priorities: (1) the mission, (2) Soldier care, and (3) readiness.

3. Emphasize training. Regular and efficient training directly support and ensure both mission accomplishment and readiness. Involve all members in training; solict their suggestions for improvement and incorporate their ideas. Share lessons learned within and between sections. Commander's focus at this time is additional duties and cross-training.

4. As I am responsible for counseling you, you are responsible for conducting monthly counseling with your Soldiers and ensuring your squad leaders conduct counseling for their Soldiers. Ensure the following topics are addressed: what was done correctly (sustain), what needs improvement (improve), scheduled events, education, current promotion status/potential. Soldiers in the Secondary zone will be told the minimum requirements for promotion to the next grade. Soldiers in the Primary zone will be told when they will attend the board or why they are not recommended for promotion. If not recommended, they will be counseled on what performance needs to be improved in order to meet the board. During counseling, show the rated Soldier a working copy of their NCOER and ask for inputs or comments. Forward a copy of all completed counseling statements to me by the 25th of the month.

5. Loyalty and trust are indispensable in our relationship. I expect you to be honest with me and I will do everything I can to support you. I am delegating responsibility for a large portion of our mission that I care very much about to you and I will not interfere with the supervision of your section unless it is needed. If you have any problems, of any kind, please see me so we can resolve it.

***SEE CONTINUATION OF COUNSELING***

This form will be destroyed upon: reassignment (other than rehabilitative transfers), separation at ETS, or upon retirement. For separation requirements and notification of loss of benefits/consequences see local directives and AR 635-200.

  DA FORM 4856, MAR 2006                         EDITION OF JUN 99 IS OBSOLETE

  Plan of Action:

As part of your initial counseling, we have discussed your basic duties, responsibilities and goals and reviewed a working copy of your NCOER. During our next counseling, we will discuss and document your progress toward your goals. In the meantime, I recommend you address the following topics so we can discuss them at your next counseling section:

o Get to know the members of your section

o Determine what areas need improvement and provide suggestions

o Evaluate section members for their qualification status, both actual and documented

o Review the working copy of your NCOER and suggest changes to the duty description, additional duties, etc, if needed

Long term goals:
o complete 4 year degree
o selection for promotion to SFC

Short term goals:
o attend SGT Morales board
o get to know section, Soldiers, and unit
o enroll in a correspondence course

  Session Closing: (The leader summarizes the key points of the session and checks to ensure the subordinate understands the plan of action. The subordinate agrees/disagrees and provides remarks if appropriate)

    Individual counseled:       I agree / disagree with the information above

    Individual counseled remarks:

    Signature of Individual Counseled: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   Date: _ _7 Jan 2018_ _

  Leader Responsibilities: (Leader's responsibilities in implementing the plan of action)

Introduce SSG Hancock to section members and show locations of electronic files

Closely monitor SSG Hancock and provide assistance as needed as he adjusts to the unit

    Signature of Counselor: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   Date: _ _7 Jan 2018_ _

  Assessment: (Did the plan of action achieve the desired results? This section is completed by both the leader and the individual counseled and provides useful information for follow-up counseling)

    Counselor: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   Individual Counseled: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _   Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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

  DA FORM 4856 (Reverse)