Has anyone used, or can recommend, any good software for writing counselings?

2017-06-01T07:50:07-04:00

I've noticed there are a few computer programs available for purchase to aid in writing counselings. Mentor military has one that's around $50-$200 it includes examples of counselings as well as soldier trackers. Nco support has one that is only $10 for some general examples. I was wondering if anyone has used these or can recommend a better software program.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jun 1 at 2017 8:03 AM

2017-06-01T08:03:33-04:00

Great question I never found any software to be capable to put in to words what each individual was accomplishing or not. Counseling is an art.in it's self. Remember all your Soldier's are unique and bring different things to the table.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 8:11 AM

2017-06-01T08:11:11-04:00

Learn to write counselings on your own. Writing skills in the Army are horrible; don't contribute to that. The more you do, the better you will become. Just remember to put the 5 Ws in every counseling, devise a custom plan of action for each Soldier that helps them, not just punishes, and then follow up. If you depend on computer programs to lead, you won't really become a better leader. I don't even see how generic computer programs would even help you write counselings, as each Soldier and each situation is different.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 8:11 AM

2017-06-01T08:11:40-04:00

I have found simple Google searches have always provided examples of writing for both counseling and evaluations (either to help formulate ideas, or to blatantly plagiarize-NOT a recommended COA) .
I think these software offers are nothing much more than what a little time spent searching for oneself.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 8:34 AM

2017-06-01T08:34:16-04:00

Set up a reference binder for your counseling examples. The best counseling is the one you write yourself.
As you encounter situations requiring more than a simple developmental counseling, such as a school, ETS, APFT failure, etc., seek out resources, build your counseling, and add it to your counseling binder. I have found that leadership will have good insight into what items or ideas are necessary to include.
The biggest technique I have found to help with the counseling process is setting up expectations in the very beginning. I use a three-line introduction in the "Purpose of Counseling" section which goes as follows:
1. Cite the Army Regulation, or unit SOP (ex "In accordance with AR 350-1, all Soldiers must attain a score of at least 60 points on each event and an overall score of at least 180 points." (FM 7-22 A-3))
2. Cite the infraction (ex "You scored less than 60 points on your run events and less than the minimum allowed overall points on your APFT.")
3. Cite the consequences of the action ("You will be flagged for APFT failure and administered another APFT")
This sets the tone for the counseling and avoids arguing during the discussion. While the consequence is set in stone, the Plan of Action to get better is a part of the discussion. The problem with using cookie-cutter counseling is that it doesn't allow for this discussion to be developed. The solution will be as individual as the Soldier with the problem.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 9:40 AM

2017-06-01T09:40:20-04:00

The best program I found to use with writing counselings is just writing them. With practice, your writing will get better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 9:40 AM

2017-06-01T09:40:48-04:00

Why would anyone need a software program to write counselings or make a soldier tracker? I never even heard of any software for counseling but I don't see the need for it.

I have had so many different styles when I was junior enlisted and got counseled. My first NCOIC this is what he wrote in my monthly counseling: "Good job this month. Your uniform looked good." That was it. SFC and that's all he did for me.

When we were deployed the first time it was just me and my LT in the S2 shop. They took the two NCOs to S3 - one to PSD, one to the TOC. She did my monthly counselings. She wrote them how the old NCOER was set up with two or three bullets for each heading and then a summary of the month. That's how I counseled soldiers for monthly counselings after I became a NCO. Negative counselings - depended on what my soldiers did. I wrote my first soldier one positive counseling for getting 149/150 on his promotion board.

Trackers - I always just made different trackers in Excel.

Less is usually more. I definitely wouldn't spend money on software for counseling.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 1 at 2017 12:32 PM

2017-06-01T12:32:09-04:00

Microsoft Word is pretty good...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 1:00 PM

2017-06-01T13:00:39-04:00

I think I need to rephrase the question. I don't want a program to write the counseling for me. I have just seen programs dedicated to the writing of counselings with tools that organize your counselings and create a virtual binder to track your soldiers scan profiles and documents etc. it also contains examples of counselings and a thesaurus. I was just looking for feedback on these programs.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 5:53 PM

2017-06-01T17:53:17-04:00

I'm surprised that you would need this.

Many general types of counselings have been written and are likely stored on many servers in your unit (stuff like ht/wt and APFT failure)

For monthly/quarterly performance counseling, I find that using the Army Values as topics works great and can also provide some bullet point ideas for NCOERs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2017 9:15 PM

2017-06-03T21:15:27-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member this is a good start and it is free.

http://www.armywriter.com/counseling-examples.htm

Army Counseling Examples

Army counseling examples, monthly and quarterly counseling examples, event-oriented counseling and positive counseling examples

Response by CSM Mark Gerecht made Aug 5 at 2020 10:33 AM

2020-08-05T10:33:57-04:00

Check out MentorMilitary.com they have a counseling series called Counsel Quick or a larger program called Counselor. It provides professional counselings that you can easily personalize and a good starting point for 100's of situations. Sometimes you just need to get an example that helps you get started and we don't mentor leaders on the correct way to counsel. We typically leave it up to them to figure out. Sometimes leaders are not good writers and need some help and there is nothing wrong with searching for examples that will help you learn and grow as a leader. These programs are not the know and be all but the do get you started in the right direction. Hope this helps

Response by AB Noe H. Rutherford made Feb 19 at 2022 1:51 AM

2022-02-19T01:51:20-05:00

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2022 3:17 PM

2022-09-27T15:17:08-04:00

https://www.mentormilitary.com/army-s/121.htm#

Army Professional Development - Mentor Military

We offer a huge selection of titles for any Army Soldier or Officer. These titles will help you accelerate your career and let you spend more time on mission, We offer guides on counseling, evaluations, awards, uniforms, promotions, and much more.