Realistically, is it possible to recover from a bad NCOER?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:13:27 -0400

With the way the Army is getting rid of Soldiers, good and bad, left and right, is one bad NCOER enough to end a career.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 10:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:31:51 -0400

I think you would have to define what a bad NCOER is here, because some would consider anything less than ones across the board falling in that category. Now, if we're talking about a relief for cause, or a no tick mark next to an army value, then I'd say it's a safe bet that your time in the Army is going to come to a swift end sometime in the relatively near future.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 10:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:58:19 -0400

SGT Mickles,

As an SGT and new SSG you can recover all day long. On the other had if you are looking at SFC or above this could end your chances for advancement. Remember they normally only go about 5 or 6 NCOERs back so earlier in your career is easier to recover from issues.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2014 11:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 23:04:42 -0400

Quite frankly, you would have to better define "bad". A violation of the Army values and supporting bullets is of course bad and tough to recover from if it is not appealed. A "4 or 5" rating is bad but is worse with supporting bullets outlining sub-standard performance. Although a 3 rating will not place you above your peers, it is not "bad", it is just undesirable. For detailed information, see AR 623-3 and DA Pam 623-3

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 9 at 2014 9:25 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:25:15 -0400

Yes, a 'bad' (4/4, 5/5, No in Army Values) NCOER can end a career...lucky for you (I'm assuming), it happened while you're were SGT and not a SSG.

Soldiers in the ranks of SSG and above not serving on an Indefinite reenlistment contract are ineligible for continued service if one or more of the following occur:

- Soldiers who receive an NCO Evaluation Report (DA Form 2166-8) for the reason of “05-Relief for Cause.”

- Soldiers who receive an NCO Evaluation Report (DA Form 2166-8) with an entry of “No” in Part IV (Army Values/Attributes/Skills/Actions).

- Soldiers who receive an NCO Evaluation Report (DA Form 2166-8) with an entry of “4-Fair” or “5-Poor” in Part V (Overall Performance and Potential).

- Soldiers who receive a Service School Academic Evaluation Report (DA Form 1059) with a performance summary of “Failed to Achieve Course Standards” in an NCO Education System course.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 2:19 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:19:19 -0400

I never got a 'No' in the Army Values portion when I was an NCO, but I did get one NCOER where I had needs improvement and got 4/3 based on unreasonable expectations from a SGM. This was on active duty.

As a Reservist, I got a bad NCOER as well, with 4/3, no comments, success in four areas, and needs improvement in Physical Fitness and Military Bearing.

As I'm a CW2 now, I'd say the answer to your question is "it depends, but not always". I'm over 20, so if I didn't have my service obligation, I'd be eligible for retirement right now.

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Apr 10 at 2014 9:55 AM

SFC Timothy Riser — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 09:55:15 -0400

Yes it is, I had a bad NCOER 7 years ago, and today I am on the SFC Promotion List!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2014 10:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 10:17:56 -0400

If your referring to yourself or another just know that at the point your at that yes it is possible but it's hard. The system is revisiing itself and expect them to look back five years worth of evaluations not just five NCOERs back. If it was a relief for cause NCOER it's going to be harder. If it's a NCOER with bad remarks and a No checked in Army Values it will be hard. If you feel though the bullets are weak and perhaps a needs improvement is there you have a chance to breath only at the mountain top again. You should have supported 4856s with it going forward. If those are not there or GOMR/Art 15 then it should not go past the CSM reviewing it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2014 4:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 16:18:15 -0400

Do you think an E-5 with 6 years in the Army, who gets a no in the values and a 3/3 should be able to reenlist?

Response by 1SG Carlos E Bonet made Feb 17 at 2016 5:27 AM

1SG Carlos E Bonet — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 05:27:09 -0500

Yes...the board...usually see the last 3 or the last 3 years.

Response by SSG Matthew Koehler made Dec 27 at 2016 7:28 PM

SSG Matthew Koehler — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 19:28:08 -0500

Wait till you get into a civilian job where the corporate mindset leans liberal....