Writing an NCOER (Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report) is one of the most critical administrative and professional responsibilities for military leaders. A poorly crafted evaluation can stall a career, while a high-impact report separates top performers from their peers. Too many leaders treat evaluation bullets as an afterthought, recycling generic phrases from past years or defaulting to passive language that fails to capture true performance.
This guide breaks down how to construct powerful NCOER bullets that satisfy regulatory requirements under DA Pamphlet 623-3, highlight measurable achievements, and modernize your unit's workflow productivity during evaluation cycles.
Understanding the NCOER Framework and DA Form 2166-9
The NCO Evaluation Report system utilizes specific forms tailored to different ranks, including DA Form 2166-9-1 for SGTs, DA Form 2166-9-2 for SSG through 1SG/MSG, and DA Form 2166-9-3 for CSM/SGM. For the direct and organizational levels, Part IV of the form requires rater bullets across six distinct areas derived from the Army leadership requirements model:
- Character: Demonstrating Army Values, empathy, Warrior Ethos, and discipline.
- Presence: Military bearing, physical fitness, confidence, and resilience.
- Intellect: Mental agility, sound judgment, innovation, and technical expertise.
- Leads: Leading others, building trust, and communicating effectively.
- Develops: Creating a positive environment and fostering the professional growth of subordinates.
- Achieves: Getting results and accomplishing the mission.
Navigating these sections efficiently requires a standardized approach to writing. Bullet comments must be short, concise, and constrained to a maximum of two lines (preferably one). They must begin with a lowercase letter, use past tense when describing contributions, and start with an action verb or a possessive pronoun.
Anatomy of a High-Impact NCOER Bullet
Weak bullets rely on passive phrasing like "assisted with" or "responsible for." Strong bullets use an action-impact structure, often split by a semicolon, to connect what the NCO did directly to the resulting outcome for the unit.
The Action-Impact Formula
- Strong Action Verb: Start immediately with a decisive past-tense verb (e.g., spearheaded, rebuilt, optimized, trained).
- Context and Execution: Detail the scope of the task, including equipment, personnel managed, or operational environment.
- Measurable Result: Close with quantifiable metrics that prove the value delivered (e.g., cut processing time by 40%, maintained 100% property accountability).
For example, instead of writing an ordinary bullet like "helped maintain platoon vehicles," a high-impact version reads:
o sustained 97% operational readiness on fourteen tactical vehicles through an intensive National Training Center rotation; cut average repair turnaround time from eleven to four days.
Category-Specific Strategies and Examples
Avoiding writer's block during evaluation season means treating every section of the report with equal weight. Raters often pour all their effort into the Achieves block while leaving Character and Presence as generic filler. Every section needs specific, non-duplicated evidence.
Character and Presence Bullets
The Character block requires concrete examples of values in action alongside mandatory compliance statements. Presence covers physical fitness and professional bearing.
- o enforced strict standards of dignity and respect across the section; zero EO or EEO infractions recorded during the rating period.
- o scored 585 on the Army Combat Fitness Test; mentored four struggling soldiers until they achieved maximum scores.
- o displayed unwavering calmness under pressure during tactical communication disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted command-and-control operations.
Intellect and Leads Bullets
These sections highlight problem-solving capabilities, tactical competence, and the ability to build cohesive teams.
- o redesigned unit supply tracking workflow using digital logs; eliminated inventory discrepancies and saved twenty administrative hours monthly.
- o led squad through complex urban operations lane with zero safety violations; recognized by battalion commander for superior tactical proficiency.
- o communicated intent clearly across multi-echelon briefs, reducing mission rehearsal preparation time by thirty percent.
Develops and Achieves Bullets
Development focuses on mentorship and institutional stewardship, while Achieves proves mission completion.
- o counseled nine subordinates monthly; resulted in three promotions to sergeant and one soldier selected for commissioning programs.
- o managed a one-million-dollar property book with zero losses or damages across three consecutive change-of-command inventories.
- o planned and executed forty convoy movements covering over 4,000 miles in a deployed environment with zero safety incidents.
For further official guidance on formatting rules and administrative standards, consult the Army Publishing Directorate policy library.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Streamlining your workflow and producing elite evaluations requires eliminating recurring administrative errors that trigger report rejections from human resources:
- Repeating Examples: The regulations state that each specific achievement should appear only once. If a mentoring accomplishment is highlighted in the Develops block, do not reuse it in Leads.
- Vague Metrics: Avoid writing bullets devoid of numbers. Use concrete figures, rankings (e.g., ranked 1st of 15 squad leaders), or financial values to substantiate claims.
- Ignoring Formatting Standards: Failing to use the mandated lowercase starting letter, exceeding the two-line limit, or including the soldier's name directly in the bullet text violates DA Pam 623-3 guidelines.
- Copying Past Reports: Review boards easily spot recycled text. Tailor every line to reflect the unique scope and performance of the specific rating period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a soldier's name inside an NCOER bullet?
No. You must not include the evaluated Soldier's name within the bullet text. However, you can reference other individuals if necessary for context, such as recognition by a general officer.
How do I handle numbers within bullet text?
Spell out numbers from one through ten (e.g., one, four, ten). Use numerical digits for numbers 11 and higher (e.g., 12, 45, 150).
What is the best way to overcome writer's block when drafting bullets?
Keep a running digital folder or tracking log throughout the year where subordinates and raters record specific achievements, completion dates, and hard metrics as they happen, rather than trying to recall events at the end of the annual cycle.
Do rater bullets need to match the box check?
Yes. The qualitative statements written in the bullet comments must directly support and justify the quantitative rating blocks marked by the rater.
