By Pfc. Howard Ketter
Desert Voice Staff Writer
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Department of the Army Form 2166-8 is a non-commissioned officer evaluation report, used to rate the performance of NCOs in the rank of sergeant through command sergeant major.
NCOERs are vital to an NCO's career. They display an evaluation of overall performance and promotion potential along with recommended duty positions at the next level. NCOs are rated in five different categories; competence, physical fitness and military bearing, leadership, training, and responsibility and accountability.
Rating chains consist of four individuals; the rated NCO, rater, senior rater and reviewer.
The rated NCO is the Soldier receiving the evaluation for their job performance. The Soldier's first line supervisor is the rater; senior rater is the Soldier who oversees the rater; and reviewer is the Soldier who is ultimately responsible for the timeliness and accuracy of the report.
There are seven different types of NCOERs. The most common ones are annual, which are given each year to the NCO and change of rater, which occurs when an NCO or rater leaves the unit.
Counseling is also a major part of the evaluation process.
"Counseling informs Soldiers of strengths, areas that need improvement and also informs them of the standards and expectations," said Master Sgt. Andre R. Richardson, replacement operations, U.S. Army Central.
DA Form 2166-8-1, NCO counseling checklist and record, is used to let the Soldier being evaluated know about their progress and what they need improvement on in the future. During the initial counseling, the rater will tell what is expected of the NCO during the rating period. The DA 2166-8-1 is used quarterly as a counseling tool and also to help build the NCOER when it is due.
If performed correctly and consistently throughout the Soldier's time in a unit, the NCOER counseling checklist can provide accurate information and accomplishments which can be implemented dirctly into the NCOER.
"If you sit down with your Soldier and go over what they need to do within a six month or one year time period, an NCOER writes itself," said Sgt. Maj. Henry W. Johnson, Reserve Affairs, USARCENT.
"NCOERs are the primary source document used for the selection of sergeant first class through sergeant major promotions, command sergeant major appointment, schooling and assignments," said Richardson.
It is important that new NCOs receive initial NCOER counseling and quarterly counselings on schedule.
NCOs should take initiative by ensuring that they receive, as well as administer NCOERs properly and on schedule. Soldiers can reference Army Regulation 623-3, DA Pamphlet 623-3 or ask senior NCOs for more information.