Posted on Sep 7, 2014
New Army OER Rater bullet point comments; what are your best practices?
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The new Army OER form requires bullet comments for the following sections:
- Character
- Presence
- Intellect
- Leads
- Develops
- Achieves
Some of these are more obvious than others, but some are not so much. For example, assuming there is nothing unusually good or bad to say about an officer, what have you put down for Character and Presence?
Let's hear some good practices. I wish the Army gave some more guidance on this.
- Character
- Presence
- Intellect
- Leads
- Develops
- Achieves
Some of these are more obvious than others, but some are not so much. For example, assuming there is nothing unusually good or bad to say about an officer, what have you put down for Character and Presence?
Let's hear some good practices. I wish the Army gave some more guidance on this.
Posted in these groups: 
OER
OER
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
First and foremost, I have one thing to say: ADRP 6-22 (http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/adrp6_22_new.pdf)! Having just had to go through a couple of the new OERs, if you're unsure of what to address in any of those characteristics, go back to the basics.
Specifically to Character, as LTC Yinon Weiss stated, all officers are expected to be of the highest caliber, but one thing to consider is what does the officer do about promoting those attributes to the highest degree in others? Also, consider if the officer was put in a situation to really shine (or royally screw up)? What if the officer did the 'hard right thing' to their own detriment? It's easy to do the right thing when the going is easy, but do you do the right thing when it isn't?
Going to ADRP 6-22, you'll see that Character addresses the Army Values, Empathy, the embodiment Warrior Ethos and Service Ethos, and Discipline. While all the aspects of Army Values are supposed to be non-negotiable, what about empathy? Discipline?
Part of the Army Values is Respect (Treat people as they should be treated)? Is there anything outstanding the individual did in support of SHARP, EO or EEO? How about Selfless Service? Any outstanding examples of where the soldier put the needs of the unit ahead of their own?
Some links to help out:
http://www.hrc.army.mil/site/ASSETS/PDF/MOD3_Evaluation_System_Rater_and_Senior_Rater_Jan14.pdf - this has great guidance regarding rater/sr. rater, especially regarding what comments should consider, look like, etc.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/ASSETS/PDF/MOD1_Revised_Officer_Evaluation_Reports_Jan14.pdf - overall training packet of the OER - more focused on the mechanics than the above brief.
Others located on HRC's Evaluation Systems Homepage (https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Evaluation%20Systems%20Homepage)
Specifically to Character, as LTC Yinon Weiss stated, all officers are expected to be of the highest caliber, but one thing to consider is what does the officer do about promoting those attributes to the highest degree in others? Also, consider if the officer was put in a situation to really shine (or royally screw up)? What if the officer did the 'hard right thing' to their own detriment? It's easy to do the right thing when the going is easy, but do you do the right thing when it isn't?
Going to ADRP 6-22, you'll see that Character addresses the Army Values, Empathy, the embodiment Warrior Ethos and Service Ethos, and Discipline. While all the aspects of Army Values are supposed to be non-negotiable, what about empathy? Discipline?
Part of the Army Values is Respect (Treat people as they should be treated)? Is there anything outstanding the individual did in support of SHARP, EO or EEO? How about Selfless Service? Any outstanding examples of where the soldier put the needs of the unit ahead of their own?
Some links to help out:
http://www.hrc.army.mil/site/ASSETS/PDF/MOD3_Evaluation_System_Rater_and_Senior_Rater_Jan14.pdf - this has great guidance regarding rater/sr. rater, especially regarding what comments should consider, look like, etc.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/ASSETS/PDF/MOD1_Revised_Officer_Evaluation_Reports_Jan14.pdf - overall training packet of the OER - more focused on the mechanics than the above brief.
Others located on HRC's Evaluation Systems Homepage (https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Evaluation%20Systems%20Homepage)
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COL Randall C.
Using LTC Yinon Weiss as an example.
Character: MAJ Weiss embodies the Army Values and his ethical and moral standards are beyond reproach. He has shown great empathy for the plight of the wayward soldier by establishing a venue which encourages soldiers to share experiences as well as providing support. He has strongly held to his beliefs through a tumultuous period and shows great respect as evidenced by his consideration of other's ideas.
Character: MAJ Weiss embodies the Army Values and his ethical and moral standards are beyond reproach. He has shown great empathy for the plight of the wayward soldier by establishing a venue which encourages soldiers to share experiences as well as providing support. He has strongly held to his beliefs through a tumultuous period and shows great respect as evidenced by his consideration of other's ideas.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
COL Randall C. I have to vote that one up.
I just spent all day trying to get my CAC card setup on a new Windows computer. I definitely empathize with some of the challenges our Soldiers face in just doing the basic day to day portions of their jobs... which aren't even in their job description. It helps motivate me to make RallyPoint as easy to use as possible, and continuously improve it.
I just spent all day trying to get my CAC card setup on a new Windows computer. I definitely empathize with some of the challenges our Soldiers face in just doing the basic day to day portions of their jobs... which aren't even in their job description. It helps motivate me to make RallyPoint as easy to use as possible, and continuously improve it.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC Yinon Weiss - My unit (Army Reserve Civil Affairs) is very dependent on computers to do anything. Most Soldiers, a vast majority, have to bring their personal computer to Battle Assembly in order to accomplish basic tasks. I find it very frustrating personally, and also empathize with our soldiers, that have to drive distances to nearby units to use a military computer just to accomplish something simple, like sign an evaluation. Sometimes I wonder if we are over dependent on technology. With constant upgrading of cyber security it only makes it more difficult for soldiers with a regular computer and limited troubleshooting skills. I too have spent countless hours on militarycac.com to resolve issues to no avail. A bit off the topic of evaluations but definitely impacted by it.
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MAJ Weiss,
To write proper comments for each block you fill out as a rater you have to do three things. First, you need a rater philosophy that allows you to discern what constitutes a good and average rating You have to talk to of the officers you rate and ensure they understand your philosophy. Second, you have to spend time with and actually know the officers you rate. If you don't you will always make poor choices. Finally, you have to dig through ADRP 6-22 and FM 6-22 to develop the comments for each officer...it is a lot of work if done properly but there is not a good, quick way through the new OER.
John C
To write proper comments for each block you fill out as a rater you have to do three things. First, you need a rater philosophy that allows you to discern what constitutes a good and average rating You have to talk to of the officers you rate and ensure they understand your philosophy. Second, you have to spend time with and actually know the officers you rate. If you don't you will always make poor choices. Finally, you have to dig through ADRP 6-22 and FM 6-22 to develop the comments for each officer...it is a lot of work if done properly but there is not a good, quick way through the new OER.
John C
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Does anyone besides me still think it is outrageous that OERs/NCOERs are sometimes filled out and written by the the person who's ER it is. It is a sign of lazy leadership if your leaders cant perform the duties expected of them, especially when properly evaluating and rating the soldiers/officers beneath them.
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COL (Join to see)
Raters and SRs should do their work. Rated officers or NCOs should not write their own evaluations, period. It takes time to evaluate/assess and the process exists.
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MAJ (Join to see)
No choice when you have to rate / are rated by someone you don't even know. Happens frequently in the TPU.
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CPT (Join to see)
That was very much the norm, especially in TPU status but I think the new entry system makes that more dofficult since the rated soldier can't open their eval. Although lokely the rater is simply copying from the support form and changing pronouns.
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MAJ (Join to see)
An honest self evaluation is often more useful than the "what I observed of you" style evaluations. To me the rater and senior rater are there to make sure the self evaluation stays honest. What's outrageous is that we are still outraged and we pretend it shouldn't happen. It's happening for a good reason, because the professional Soldier already knows what they have done well and what they need to improve.
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