Posted on Nov 18, 2019
SSG(P) Jonathan S.
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where can i learn to write proper counselling statements for my soldiers ?
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CSM Chuck Stafford
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I'm not sure what a "proper" counseling statement is... That said, perhaps the technique you should start with -- What topics do I want to cover in a counseling? Write as you would talk -- Positive, negatives, courses of actions, potential repercussions, professional/personal development, etc. The more you counsel, the better and more focused your writing will become. And of course, there are "counseling technique" books you can find online to jumpstart the brain and inspire your creative juices -- Good Luck!
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CSM Chuck Stafford
CSM Chuck Stafford
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...and of course FM 6-22...
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SSG(P) Jonathan S.
SSG(P) Jonathan S.
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just in general, i need to write initial counselling statements for my team. i also need to write several negative counseling statement for different event for one of my old privates from when i was still in the weapons squad as the fill in WSL. But i will look into the leadership FM.
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SFC Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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Start with counsel quick it costs money but there are a lot of examples
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SGT Intelligence Analyst
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Have you look at ncosupport.com tons of examples for almost every incident you could think of.
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SSG(P) Jonathan S.
SSG(P) Jonathan S.
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thanks for the tip
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SGT Intelligence Analyst
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SSG(P) Jonathan S. no worries brother we’ve gotta share the knowledge
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Where can I learn to write proper counseling statements for my soldiers?
CAPT Kevin B.
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Edited >1 y ago
I hate to say it, but these how to write something questions are problematical. Many times the real question is "Where is the dropdown list of good bullets that I can just click and send because I never learned to write?" If you know the three whatever critical things you want to get down on paper, then it isn't about the information, it's about converting it to written language. There's a system and process for that. It's something that's taught. Overall in the military, writing skills are typically fair at best and poor commonly. Counseling statements, like evaluation reports, have two elements. What should be said and how do you do it. You must nail the first. If you don't, even good writing skills can't help you. Even if you get these down OK, most MILs never do the follow up piece. Hey Specialist Jones. Remember we talked about weapons cleaning? How's it going now? Need any help? Counseling without follow up is a failure. BTW, that should be a strong hint to only do 2-3 things in counseling. The 100 item shopping list guarantees failure because the SM can't tell what's most important. It also says whoever created that list doesn't know either.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Proper counselling statements? Please clarify so as I can give a better answer.
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SGT Public Safety Officer
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To clearing, my example is referring to quarterly counseling statements.
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SGT Public Safety Officer
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From what I have seen, lower enlisted get the general template of a counseling statement, at least at my unit. You start off with the common tasks and skills expected of the solider, touch on APFT strength and weaknesses, weapons qual, highlight any “above and beyond” moments and lastly, what the Solider needs to work on. That is the basic frame work I have seen at my unit. I can’t speak for others.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
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This is a rather important question, as I had counseling statements written in highlighter because that is what my team leader had in his hand at the time.

Army study guide was where I went for a ton of Army information. And by the looks of it, they have only gotten better. They have general and specific event counseling guidelines. If at all possible, always try to type your counseling statements. Unless you are required to do one in the field. A soldier will have a hard time understanding your intent a few weeks down the road because they can't read your handwriting.

https://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_counseling/general_counseling_information/index.shtml
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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A highlighter? Really?
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SPC Casey Ashfield
SPC Casey Ashfield
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MSG (Join to see) - One of those field counseling statements. It was in yellow, so that made it worse. I figured he would have borrowed a pen from another NCO before writing in a highlighter.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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SPC Casey Ashfield - wow. just.....wow
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