Posted on Jun 1, 2017
Has anyone used, or can recommend, any good software for writing counselings?
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I've noticed there are a few computer programs available for purchase to aid in writing counselings. Mentor military has one that's around $50-$200 it includes examples of counselings as well as soldier trackers. Nco support has one that is only $10 for some general examples. I was wondering if anyone has used these or can recommend a better software program.
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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Learn to write counselings on your own. Writing skills in the Army are horrible; don't contribute to that. The more you do, the better you will become. Just remember to put the 5 Ws in every counseling, devise a custom plan of action for each Soldier that helps them, not just punishes, and then follow up. If you depend on computer programs to lead, you won't really become a better leader. I don't even see how generic computer programs would even help you write counselings, as each Soldier and each situation is different.
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SSG Marc W. - Actually no, they're not. As a former S-1 NCOIC and Orderly Room NCOIC, I cannot remember how many NCOERs and award recommendations I have reviewed that were basically copy & paste jobs, with only the names and personal information changed. To me, this shows laziness and a disregard for the accomplishments of the Soldiers under one's charge. Many people think writing is some mysterious art, like alchemy or something, that only a select few are good at. So they sink back into complacency and mediocrity, doing the minimum to get the job done. When people (like me) try to correct them, or suggest improving their writing skills, they embrace ignorance and fear, and lash out at those trying to help them. Many posts have writing skills classes that can be taken for free. More Soldiers and Leaders should take advantage of them. It can only help.
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Set up a reference binder for your counseling examples. The best counseling is the one you write yourself.
As you encounter situations requiring more than a simple developmental counseling, such as a school, ETS, APFT failure, etc., seek out resources, build your counseling, and add it to your counseling binder. I have found that leadership will have good insight into what items or ideas are necessary to include.
The biggest technique I have found to help with the counseling process is setting up expectations in the very beginning. I use a three-line introduction in the "Purpose of Counseling" section which goes as follows:
1. Cite the Army Regulation, or unit SOP (ex "In accordance with AR 350-1, all Soldiers must attain a score of at least 60 points on each event and an overall score of at least 180 points." (FM 7-22 A-3))
2. Cite the infraction (ex "You scored less than 60 points on your run events and less than the minimum allowed overall points on your APFT.")
3. Cite the consequences of the action ("You will be flagged for APFT failure and administered another APFT")
This sets the tone for the counseling and avoids arguing during the discussion. While the consequence is set in stone, the Plan of Action to get better is a part of the discussion. The problem with using cookie-cutter counseling is that it doesn't allow for this discussion to be developed. The solution will be as individual as the Soldier with the problem.
As you encounter situations requiring more than a simple developmental counseling, such as a school, ETS, APFT failure, etc., seek out resources, build your counseling, and add it to your counseling binder. I have found that leadership will have good insight into what items or ideas are necessary to include.
The biggest technique I have found to help with the counseling process is setting up expectations in the very beginning. I use a three-line introduction in the "Purpose of Counseling" section which goes as follows:
1. Cite the Army Regulation, or unit SOP (ex "In accordance with AR 350-1, all Soldiers must attain a score of at least 60 points on each event and an overall score of at least 180 points." (FM 7-22 A-3))
2. Cite the infraction (ex "You scored less than 60 points on your run events and less than the minimum allowed overall points on your APFT.")
3. Cite the consequences of the action ("You will be flagged for APFT failure and administered another APFT")
This sets the tone for the counseling and avoids arguing during the discussion. While the consequence is set in stone, the Plan of Action to get better is a part of the discussion. The problem with using cookie-cutter counseling is that it doesn't allow for this discussion to be developed. The solution will be as individual as the Soldier with the problem.
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Great question I never found any software to be capable to put in to words what each individual was accomplishing or not. Counseling is an art.in it's self. Remember all your Soldier's are unique and bring different things to the table.
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