Army Counseling Forms

The Army Counseling Form, officially known as DA Form 4856, is a document used in the United States Army to record counseling sessions between leaders and their subordinates. This form is a critical tool for documenting performance, discussing career development, addressing issues, and setting goals. It serves multiple purposes, including:

1. Performance Counseling: Used to discuss a soldier’s performance, both positive and negative. It allows leaders to provide feedback, recognize achievements, and address areas that need improvement.
2. Event-Oriented Counseling: This type of counseling is conducted for specific events, such as promotion boards, deployment preparations, or addressing a specific incident or behavior.
3. Professional Growth Counseling: Focuses on the soldier’s career development, setting long-term goals, and discussing the necessary steps to achieve them.
4. Personal Issues: Leaders can use the form to address personal issues affecting a soldier’s performance or well-being, offering support and guidance.

The DA Form 4856 includes sections for the following:

• Administrative Data: Basic information about the soldier and the counselor.
• Purpose of Counseling: The reason for the counseling session.
• Key Points of Discussion: The main topics covered during the session.
• Plan of Action: Specific actions the soldier should take to address issues or achieve goals.
• Session Closing: Summary and follow-up plans.
• Leader Responsibilities: Actions the leader will take to support the soldier.
• Assessment: Evaluation of the soldier’s progress after the session.

Properly documenting counseling sessions helps ensure clear communication, accountability, and professional development within the Army.

There is one primary Army Counseling Form, DA Form 4856, which is used for various types of counseling sessions. However, the types of counseling conducted using this form can be categorized based on their purpose. Here are the main types of counseling sessions typically documented using DA Form 4856:

1. Performance Counseling:
   • Initial Counseling: Conducted at the beginning of a rating period to outline expectations, standards, and objectives.
   • Quarterly or Periodic Performance Counseling: Regular check-ins to discuss ongoing performance, progress, and areas needing improvement.
   • End-of-Rating Period Counseling: A final review of performance over a specific period, usually coinciding with the end of a rating cycle.
2. Event-Oriented Counseling:
   • Specific Incidents: Counseling for events such as misconduct, failure to meet standards, or exceptional performance.
   • Reception and Integration Counseling: For new soldiers joining a unit, to help them understand their role, the unit’s expectations, and available resources.
   • Crisis Counseling: Addressing issues arising from personal crises, such as family problems or severe stress, and providing support and resources.
   • Referral Counseling: Referring soldiers to additional resources or services, such as mental health support, financial counseling, or legal assistance.
3. Professional Growth Counseling:
   • Promotion Counseling: Discussing the soldier’s potential for promotion, necessary steps to advance, and areas of improvement.
   • Developmental Counseling: Focusing on long-term career goals, educational opportunities, and professional development plans.
   • Reenlistment Counseling: Providing information and guidance on reenlistment options, benefits, and career paths within the Army.
4. Personal Issues Counseling:
   • Adverse Separation Counseling: For soldiers facing administrative separation, providing information on the process, consequences, and support options.
   • Financial Counseling: Addressing financial issues, providing resources, and creating action plans to improve the soldier’s financial situation.
   • Health and Welfare Counseling: Discussing health and wellness issues, providing support, and connecting soldiers with appropriate medical or psychological services.

Each type of counseling aims to address specific needs and situations, ensuring that soldiers receive the guidance, support, and feedback necessary for their professional and personal development within the Army.

The Army Initial Counseling Form, a specific application of DA Form 4856, is used at the beginning of a soldier’s assignment or rating period to establish expectations, standards, and objectives. It sets the foundation for future performance evaluations and provides a clear understanding of the leader’s expectations.

Key Components of the Initial Counseling Form (DA Form 4856):

1. Administrative Data:
   • Counselor’s and Soldier’s Information: Names, ranks, and unit information.
   • Date of Counseling: When the session took place.
2. Purpose of Counseling:
   • Clearly state the purpose of the counseling session, which in this case is initial counseling.
3. Key Points of Discussion:
   • Duties and Responsibilities: Detailed explanation of the soldier’s job duties, responsibilities, and expectations for their role.
   • Standards: Clear communication of the standards the soldier must meet, including appearance, conduct, performance, and any specific unit or Army regulations.
   • Goals and Objectives: Setting short-term and long-term goals for the soldier, including training, professional development, and performance targets.
   • Expectations: Discussion of expectations regarding punctuality, reliability, teamwork, and other relevant factors.
   • Support: Information on the support available to the soldier, including resources for personal and professional development.
4. Plan of Action:
   • Outline specific actions the soldier needs to take to meet the expectations and standards discussed.
   • Include any training, additional duties, or development activities required.
5. Session Closing:
   • Summarize the key points discussed during the session.
   • Ensure both the counselor and the soldier understand the expectations and the plan of action.
6. Leader Responsibilities:
   • The counselor’s commitment to support the soldier, such as providing additional training, mentorship, or resources.
7. Assessment:
   • A follow-up section to evaluate the soldier’s progress against the plan of action and goals set during the initial counseling session.

Sample Initial Counseling Outline:

Administrative Data:

• Counselor: SGT John Doe, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company
• Soldier: PFC Jane Smith, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company
• Date: 2024-06-01

Purpose of Counseling:

• Initial counseling to establish expectations, standards, and objectives for PFC Smith’s performance and development in her new role.

Key Points of Discussion:

• Duties and Responsibilities: Explain specific job duties and responsibilities as a member of the 1st Platoon.
• Standards: Discuss appearance, conduct, and performance standards, including adherence to the Army Values and unit-specific regulations.
• Goals and Objectives: Set goals for the next six months, including completing required training, achieving proficiency in MOS tasks, and preparing for the next promotion board.
• Expectations: Emphasize the importance of punctuality, maintaining a positive attitude, and teamwork.
• Support: Inform PFC Smith of available resources, such as the unit’s training NCO, counseling services, and educational programs.

Plan of Action:

• PFC Smith will complete the following actions:
  1. Attend and complete required training sessions within the next three months.
  2. Achieve a minimum score of 270 on the next APFT.
  3. Schedule and attend a career development session with the unit’s training NCO.

Session Closing:

• Summarize the key points discussed, ensuring PFC Smith understands the expectations and the plan of action. Confirm a follow-up counseling session in three months.

Leader Responsibilities:

• SGT Doe will:
  1. Provide additional training resources and opportunities for PFC Smith.
  2. Monitor PFC Smith’s progress and provide regular feedback.
  3. Arrange a meeting with the unit’s training NCO.

Assessment:

• A follow-up section to be completed during the next counseling session to evaluate PFC Smith’s progress and adjust the plan of action as needed.

This initial counseling form serves as a vital tool for setting the tone of the soldier’s service period, ensuring clear communication of expectations, and providing a roadmap for success.