Posted on Jan 19, 2014
SFC Michael Hasbun
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Here's my thoughts on how to fix the NCOER. No more ratings, no more 1's. 2's, 3's, etc... Just bullets. Your actions will have to speak for themselves. And I know what you're thinking, "but then we'll be forced to read every bullet!". You know what? EXACTLY!<div><br></div><div>NCOER's only work if you actually take the time to consider their overall behaviors and actions, and meaningfully quantify them, and they are only useful to leaders and promotion boards if they actually read them, and don't just rely on numbers. Actions are what will tell you what a Soldier is like, and how much potential they have, not arbitrarily and inconsistently assigned numbers.</div>
Posted in these groups: 1efa5058 NCOER
Edited >1 y ago
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CPT(P) Company Commander
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you mean, you don't write your own NCOER? ;) just kidding...but not really.<div><br></div><div>I think it's time that Soldiers start using the support forms. There is one for NCOERs. I live and die by mine, and that way I can make sure that pertinent information gets into my OER.</div><div><br></div><div>I agree that professional writing should be included in NCOES. It is touched on a little bit for officers, but not as much as I would prefer. We had a very short block on it at BOLC, and I don't believe it was enough for most people.&nbsp;</div>
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CPT(P) Company Commander
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Sorry, I was only addressing the writing quality with that comment....control what you can, I suppose. 
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1SG First Sergeant
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its all about the quarterly counseling. if its done correctly and when its suppose to be done then the NCOER writes itself
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SGM Sergeant Major
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I agree if the support forms are used correctly you can build a great NCOER. Instead of worrying about generic bullets put actual expectations and don't be afraid to put numbers or goals there.

I spoke to my PLT LDRs the other day and said don't put "Get involved in the unit's maintenance" instead put "Lead unit maintenance from the front by maintaining a 85% OR rate, attending all PC meetings and decreasing maintenance down time and tasks". That breaks it down and gives the PLT SGTs actual goals to obtain.
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CPT(P) Company Commander
CPT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
1SG, I totally agree!! I know it's not the same exact thing, but I generally approach it as I do award writing. Quantifiable always goes over better and is easier to measure. 
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CPT Assistant Professor Of Military Science
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Another fix would be to add in a senior rater profile, just like with OERs.
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SFC Gary Fox
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I can remember when the NCOER contained scores in the different rated categories.  The maximum amount of points one could receive were 125.  This NCOER just plained sucked because no comments were required to justify low scores or high scores.  I'm glad they did away with that one.

I would oppose any NCOER that was like the OER as it all comes down to how it is written.  If you have a rater that can't write worth a damn, you're screwed.
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SSG Lisa Rendina
SSG Lisa Rendina
10 y
Agreed SFC Fox!  There are ways to write things, and then there are better ways to write things!  Example:  "Increased PT score by 20 points", or "Increased PT score and exceeded Battalion standard of 270".  In the first blurb the NCO could have increased from a score of 180 to a score of 197.  Just as an example.
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SSG William Patton
SSG William Patton
10 y
Too often. some raters will just plug  in the number without an explanation because that is the easiest and quickest way to accomplish the task. But, numbers alone do not provide an illustration of what the soldier has accomplished.  I always provided an explanation so the person behind me would not have to hunt for information.  If the CO read my rating and had to look for more information to see if the soldier improved or decreased on a particular rating, that reflected poorly on my performance as a manager.  When a manager does any type of evaluation, they should be thorough to give the rate  and those who read the report as much information as possible so they know where the stand and what they need to do to improve.
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