NCOER Support Form (DA Form 2166-9-1A)
The NCOER Support Form is the working document behind every NCOER. It sets the rated NCO's duties, goals, and objectives at the start of the rating period, records performance at each counseling, and gives the rater the input for the final evaluation. It is mandatory for every NCO from corporal through command sergeant major (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b).
Source: DA PAM 623-3 (12 February 2025). Last updated October 10, 2026.
Draft an NCOER Support Form with EvalMeDA Form 2166-9-1A, part by part
Part I — Administrative data
Auto-populated in EESName, rank, date of rank, PMOSC, unit, and the SSD/NCOES-requirement-met check for the next grade. Most of it fills from the authoritative database when the form is started in EES.
Part II — Authentication
Rating chainThe rater, senior rater, and any supplementary reviewer, plus the counseling dates — the initial counseling and each later session — with the rated NCO's initials.
Part III — Duty description
Drafted by the rated NCO; finalized by the raterPrincipal duty title and duty MOSC; daily duties and scope (to include, as appropriate, people, equipment, facilities, and dollars); areas of special emphasis; and appointed duties outside the duty description.
Part IV — Performance goals and expectations
Rated NCOThe rated NCO's goals and expectations for the rating period, including goals that support SHARP, EO/EEO, and a climate of dignity and respect (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b(1)(b)).
Part V — Attributes and competencies
Drafted by the rated NCO; updated with the raterSix blocks — Character, Presence, Intellect, Leads, Develops, and Achieves — each with two boxes: major performance objectives, and significant contributions and accomplishments. Character carries the SHARP, EO, and EEO support line.
Part VI — Senior rater comments
Senior raterThe senior rater's comments from their counseling sessions. This part belongs to the senior rater, not the rated NCO.
How the support form moves through the rating period
- Start of the rating period. The rater gives the rated NCO a copy of the rater's and senior rater's support forms (DA Form 2166-9-1A, DA Form 67-10-1A, or equivalent), with the unit mission, rating chain, duty description, and goals. The rated NCO then drafts Parts III, IV, and V (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b(1)(a)).
- Initial counseling — within 30 days. Within the first 30 days of the rating period (or of lateral appointment to CPL or promotion to SGT), the rater conducts the first counseling, including goals for a healthy workplace and for SHARP and EO programs. The rater and rated NCO initial Part II. The senior rater should also counsel face to face within the first 30 days and again at the midpoint (para 3-1b(1)(b)–(c)).
- During the rating period. Follow-up counseling updates the duty description and records significant contributions and accomplishments against the objectives. Each session ends with the key points recorded and the rated NCO's initials (para 3-1b(2)).
- End of the rating period. The rater completes the final support form. The rated NCO may provide input but does not prepare their own final form. The rater uses it to write the NCOER, and EES can auto-populate portions of the draft NCOER from it (para 3-1b(3)).
Counseling cadence
Counseling is conducted at least quarterly for Regular Army and AGR NCOs, and at least semiannually for Army National Guard and Army Reserve NCOs performing inactive duty training (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b).
Draft the NCOER Support Form from the rating chain's forms
Upload the rater's and senior rater's support forms and EvalMe nests the objectives under theirs. Accomplishments come only from the rated Soldier's own notes — nothing is invented — and carry straight into the evaluation at the end of the period.
Open the support form builderFrequently asked questions
Who fills out the NCOER Support Form?
The rated NCO drafts Parts III, IV, and V at the start of the rating period, working from copies of the rater's and senior rater's support forms. The rater updates it at each counseling and completes the final form at the end of the period; the rated NCO may provide input but does not prepare their own final form (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1).
Is the NCOER Support Form mandatory?
Yes. DA Form 2166-9-1A use is mandatory for all NCOs from corporal through command sergeant major. No NCOER is prepared for corporals; for a CPL who does not receive an NCOER, the rater keeps the support form for one year (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b and 3-1b(3)(c)).
How often are NCOs counseled?
The initial counseling is within the first 30 days of the rating period. After that, counseling is at least quarterly for Regular Army and AGR NCOs and at least semiannually for ARNG and USAR NCOs performing inactive duty training (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b).
What goes in Part IV, performance goals and expectations?
The rated NCO's goals and expectations for the rating period. Per DA PAM 623-3 para 3-1b(1)(b), goals that support a healthy workplace, the equal opportunity and EEO programs, and the SHARP program are discussed at initial counseling and included in Part IV and Part V.
Does the support form carry over to the NCOER?
The rater uses the final support form as the input for the NCOER, and the electronic DA Form 2166-9-1A in EES can auto-populate portions of the draft NCOER (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b(3)).
Can an NCO's rater be an officer with a different support form?
Yes. The rater provides the rated NCO the rater's and senior rater's support forms — DA Form 2166-9-1A, DA Form 67-10-1A, or equivalent — so a rating chain that mixes NCO and officer forms is expected (DA PAM 623-3, para 3-1b(1)(a)).