NCOER — Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report (DA Form 2166-9 Series)

NCOER — Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report

Quick, plain-language guide to the DA Form 2166-9 series: what it is, who does what, when it’s required, how it’s submitted, and where to find the official rules (AR 623-3 / DA Pam 623-3).

DA Form 2166-9-1 (SGT) DA Form 2166-9-2 (SSG–1SG/MSG) DA Form 2166-9-3 (CSM/SGM) DA Form 2166-9-1A (Support Form)

What is the NCOER?

The NCOER documents an NCO’s performance and potential for personnel decisions (promotions, assignments, schools). The current system uses the DA Form 2166-9 series with a grade-specific report and a shared support form.

  • 2166-9-1 (SGT): rater uses concise bullets; senior rater provides narrative and overall potential box check.
  • 2166-9-2 (SSG–1SG/MSG): rater and senior rater use narratives; senior rater selects a four-box assessment (Most/Highly/Qualified/Not Qualified).
  • 2166-9-3 (CSM/SGM): narrative format; senior rater four-box assessment applies.
  • 2166-9-1A Support Form: shared counseling tool for objectives, attributes/competencies, and documented achievements.

How NCOERs are submitted

NCOERs are created and routed in the Army’s Evaluation Entry System (EES). Electronic submission via EES is the standard; paper or email is only for limited cases.

Access: EES is CAC-enabled at the HRC Evaluations site. User guides, training, and a practice site are available through HRC.

Visual quick hits

Counsel Create Route Submit
Typical flow: Counsel → Create in EES → Route/Review → Submit
Rated NCO Rater Senior Rater
Who does what on each report.
Most Highly Qualified Not
Senior rater potential assessment for SSG and above.

Who does what (roles)

  • Rated NCO: keeps the support form current; provides inputs; signs after rater/senior rater.
  • Rater: conducts counseling; assesses performance (bullets for SGT; narrative for SSG+); recommends assignments on senior-grade forms.
  • Senior Rater: assesses potential and selects the four-box (SSG+).
  • Reviewer (when required): checks accuracy and policy compliance.

When an NCOER is required

  • Annual (normally 12 months)
  • Change of Rater
  • Relief for Cause
  • Complete the Record (board prep)
  • 60-Day Rater/Senior Rater Options
  • TDY/Special situations

Minimum time in position

  • Rater qualification: ~3 rated months under the rater.
  • Senior rater qualification: ~2 rated months.

Exceptions exist (e.g., Relief for Cause). Check current AR/DA Pam language.

Form & writing specifics

  • Bullets vs. narrative: SGT reports use bullets (rater); SSG+ use narratives.
  • Attributes & Competencies: align to the Leadership Requirements Model.
  • Support Form linkage: objectives on 2166-9-1A feed NCOER comments.
  • ACFT/body composition: record per current policy and EES options.

Quick process overview

  1. Publish the rating chain; confirm rater/senior rater qualifications.
  2. Initiate/update the 2166-9-1A Support Form; conduct counseling.
  3. Create the NCOER in EES; complete duty description and performance sections.
  4. Senior rater finalizes narrative and four-box (when applicable); reviewer verifies.
  5. Route for signatures and submit electronically via EES.
  6. Track status/return codes; correct errors promptly.

Official references

Always consult the latest AR/DA Pam and HRC guides for updates.