I just wanted to know, can a Soldier receive a performance counseling before receiving an initial counseling detailing what is expected?

Depends. If it is performance compared to what should always be expected (i.e. failure to maintain fitness standards, be on time, weapons qual, or maintaining uniform standards) it should be possible. For most circumstances, I believe that the particulars of the unit standards need to be outlined before being able to tell a soldier that they have missed the mark. It has been quite some time since I have written a counseling though and I may be mistaken.