← NCO LEADER TOOLKIT
// NCOER SENIOR RATER NARRATIVE BUILDER & POLICY REFERENCE · AR / DA PAM 623-3

NARRATIVE INPUTS

GENERATED SENIOR RATER NARRATIVE

0 chars
Fill in the fields to generate the narrative.
EES field limits vary by NCOER type/version — verify against the current form before pasting.
Consistency check: The box check and the narrative must agree. A "Most Qualified" check paired with hedging language ("has potential to," "should be able to") undercuts the rating and reads as an inconsistency during HQDA review.
Remember: Senior rater comments are potential-focused — an assessment of the NCO's ability to perform in positions of greater responsibility or higher grade, compared to others of the same grade. It's not simply a restatement of the rater's performance bullets.

DA Form 2166-9-1 SGT

Rater uses concise bullet comments for performance. The senior rater provides the narrative comments and the overall potential box check for this report — the senior rater's assessment carries the narrative weight on this form.

DA Form 2166-9-2 SSG – 1SG / MSG

Both the rater and senior rater use narrative comments. The senior rater additionally selects a four-box overall potential assessment: Most Qualified, Highly Qualified, Qualified, or Not Qualified. This is the report most NCOs in the SSG–MSG population will receive.

DA Form 2166-9-3 CSM / SGM

Full narrative format for both rater and senior rater; the four-box potential assessment applies the same way it does on the 9-2.
Performance vs. potential: Rater comments are specific to performance-based assessments. Assessments of potential — the NCO's ability to perform in positions of greater responsibility and/or higher grade, compared to others of the same grade — are reserved for the senior rater. Factors like relative experience, effort given the time/resources available, and results reasonably expected are all considered, but retirement or pending separation is never a factor in assessing potential.

Four-Box Meaning, At a Glance

BoxGeneral Meaning
Most QualifiedTop tier of the senior rater's profile — the NCO clearly stands out for immediate advancement
Highly QualifiedStrong performer with solid potential, just below the top tier
QualifiedMeets standard, sound performer — the expected rating for most solid NCOs
Not QualifiedSerious, substantiated deficiency — requires clear narrative support
Senior raters must evaluate and identify their best Soldiers based on performance and potential — the profile is managed across everyone a senior rater currently rates, not on a single report in isolation.

PROHIBITED CONTENT & TECHNIQUES

  • Quota or number-driven language that implies a formula rather than a genuine assessment.
  • Comparing the rated NCO to another named, identifiable individual in the narrative.
  • References to EO/EEO complaints filed by or against the rated Soldier.
  • Unsubstantiated negative comments — any adverse information must be verifiable and, where required, already referred to the Soldier through proper channels.
  • Symbols, ASCII art, or unauthorized abbreviations used to imply a rating outside the actual box check.

ALLOWED NEGATIVE ITEMS (IF SUBSTANTIATED)

  • Criminal acts — when substantiated through proper proceedings.
  • Conviction of a driving-under-the-influence charge.
  • Acts of sexual misconduct or physical/mental abuse.
  • Inappropriate or unprofessional personal relationships.
  • Involvement in extremist organizations and/or activities.
  • Acts of reprisal.
  • Behavior inconsistent with or detrimental to good order, conduct, and discipline.
Referral required: A report containing derogatory information of the type above is normally a referred report — the rated Soldier must be given the opportunity to review and comment before it's submitted. Confirm current referral procedures in AR 623-3 before finalizing any negative narrative.
Golden rule: If a comment couldn't be defended, word-for-word, in front of a promotion board or an Inspector General inquiry, it doesn't belong in the narrative.