Do you agree with using FitRep and Award bullets from an online source?

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:01:54 -0400

I found this website researching what the current Navy FitRep looks like.

http://navyfitrep.com/

I am sure there are sites for each of the services and my opinion is they should NOT be used.

Navy FITREP, CHIEFEVAL and Evaluation Resource

Navy FITREP and Evaluation resource. We are are resource to assist Navy Sailors in writing FITREPs, EVALs, CHIEFEVALs, awards, and Navy counseling sheets. Additional resources include NAVFIT98, BUPERS1610.10, and FITREP/EVAL writing lessons.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 22 at 2015 5:16 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:16:56 -0400

I'm torn. This falls under the "feels wrong" category, specifically for the FitRep side. Less so for the Award side. I know that sounds backwards.

Here's my thoughts. On the FitRep, you have what is essentially bulletized blocks that have to be filled out. The form already does all the work for you. If you can't go down the list and come up with "10 word blurbs" on someone you work with every day, especially if you have a leader book... something is wrong.

On the awards side, it's a couple hundred words, and 85% of it is a "template" which is "fill in the blanks" which requires 0 original thought. You need two sentences justifying what the actual award is for "kicked butt and took names!" on the award sheet. The rest is convincing the Signatory Authority that it's justified, which I'm sure is a much more involved process, but again a person should be able to come up with something.

All that said, it feels wrong, and if it feels wrong, don't do it. Templates are fine, but there's a point where it's no longer a template. This is just saying "my people aren't worth original thought."

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 22 at 2015 8:43 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 20:43:03 -0400

I think if you cannot write an award or evaluation on a subordinate, you did not spend enough time with them to know what they did. Or, it is a sign of laziness. I know each service has different forms but people would do the same thing for Army NCOERs that required bullet comments. Written communication is important for leaders and that needs to begin with simple things like evaluations and awards.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 10:23 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:23:58 -0400

Absolutely not. It is a tool for lazy people to issue thoughtless, impersonal, and generic comments in order to check the box instead of giving a thought out evaluation report.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 8:11 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:11:35 -0400

From the time I put on PO3 I've written my own evaluation for routing and I did initially use this site for inspiration and sometimes a better word to use. I've made it a requirement for all of my junior Sailors to write an evaluation on themselves each year and when the time comes to sign the official one I bring in both and discuss them with the Sailor. It is a tool available to assist and while I don't use it anymore there are some out there that it can help.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Oct 23 at 2015 9:41 AM

SCPO Joshua I — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:41:33 -0400

Inspiration is a good word. Sometimes it helps to see how other people have written.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 10:13 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:13:23 -0400

Sites like that are good for looking at examples, but I agree they are way too generic. In the Navy everyone pretty much writes their own eval and then gives it to the CoC to make changes.