How to Submit a DA Form 2166-9-1 for an Initial NCOER

An initial NCOER documents a sergeant’s performance during the first evaluation period after becoming an NCO. The process uses the Army’s Evaluation Entry System (EES) to create, complete, review, digitally sign, and forward the report through the rating chain. Learn more about 3.

DA Form 2166-9-1 is generally used for sergeants. It records duty description information, performance expectations, attributes, competencies, and the rater’s assessment. The report is separate from the NCOER support form, although the support form and counseling records provide much of the information needed to prepare it.

Before starting, confirm the applicable regulation, the evaluation period, the rating chain, and local command procedures. EES screens and routes the report, but the rated NCO and leaders remain responsible for accurate information, timely counseling, and proper signatures.

What The Initial NCOER Covers

An initial NCOER is usually required when a newly promoted sergeant enters the NCO evaluation system and meets the minimum time requirements for an evaluation. The exact requirement can depend on promotion date, reporting dates, a change in duty or rater, and the rules in AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3.

The report normally includes the rated NCO’s identification data, unit information, duty title, principal duties, areas of special emphasis, and appointed duties. It also addresses Army values, empathy, warrior ethos and service ethos, discipline, fitness, competence, leadership, development, and achievement.

The report should describe observed performance rather than general impressions. Strong entries connect actions to results, such as improved readiness, successful training, safer operations, better accountability, or increased team performance.

Confirm Eligibility And The Rating Chain

The rated NCO should verify that the correct form is being used and that the report is classified as an initial evaluation when appropriate. The rating chain must also be accurate. Typically, the rater observes and evaluates daily performance, the senior rater assesses potential and overall performance, and a supplementary reviewer may be involved when required by policy.

Before the report is created, check names, ranks, duty positions, organization names, and rating dates. A wrong rater or incorrect period can cause the report to be rejected or require administrative correction after submission.

EES Army guides can provide useful background on evaluation workflows and related personnel actions, but the official rating chain and command policy control the submission. When circumstances are unusual, the servicing S-1, battalion human resources section, or career counselor can help determine the correct action.

Prepare Evidence And The Support Form

Gather counseling statements, training records, awards, physical readiness results, inspection results, maintenance or readiness data, and documented accomplishments. The goal is to build a factual record that reflects the entire evaluation period rather than only the final few weeks.

Review the NCOER support form before entering the final report. The support form helps establish duties, goals, expectations, and developmental objectives. It should not simply be copied into the NCOER; instead, use it as a reference for evaluating whether the NCO met, exceeded, or fell short of expectations.

Performance bullets should be concise and specific. Include what the NCO did, how the action affected the organization, and measurable results when available. Avoid unsupported superlatives, private information, vague praise, and statements that cannot be substantiated by the rating chain.

Complete And Route The Form In EES

The rater generally initiates the evaluation in EES by selecting the correct NCOER type and entering the administrative information. The rated NCO reviews the entries and provides comments when permitted or required. The rater then completes the performance assessment before routing the report to the senior rater and any required supplementary reviewer.

Each participant should carefully inspect the report before signing. Digital signatures confirm that the person reviewed the evaluation and that the information reflects the official assessment. A signature does not necessarily mean the rated NCO agrees with every statement; disagreement should be addressed through the appropriate comment or appeal process.

Review Point	What To Verify	Common Problem
Report type	Initial NCOER for the correct grade	Selecting the wrong evaluation category
Dates	Accurate beginning and ending dates	Overlapping or incomplete rating periods
Rating chain	Correct rater, senior rater, and reviewer	Outdated duty positions
Duties	Current principal and additional duties	Generic or copied descriptions
Performance	Specific actions and measurable results	Unsupported or vague bullets
Signatures	Every required official signs in sequence	Routing the report before corrections
Filing	Approved report reaches the official record	Assuming EES submission equals filing

After all required signatures are complete, the report is routed for final processing. EES status messages can show whether the form is pending action, returned for correction, or forwarded for approval. Keep a copy of the completed report and any routing documentation until the evaluation appears in the official personnel record.

Check The Record After Submission

Submission through EES is an important step, but it is not the same as verifying that the report has been properly filed. The unit administrative office may have additional quality-control or transmission requirements before the evaluation reaches the Army Military Human Resource Record.

Once processing is complete, review the Soldier’s official record for the document. Personnel who are checking several career documents may also review guidance on accessing iPERMS after separation, although active Soldiers should follow current Army access procedures and unit guidance.

If the report is missing, contains an administrative error, or displays an incorrect status, contact the unit S-1 or records manager promptly. Keep the report’s title, evaluation period, signatures, and submission history available when requesting assistance.

Prevent Delays And Corrections

Most delays come from incorrect administrative data, an incomplete rating chain, missing signatures, weak duty descriptions, or a report that does not match the counseling record. Reviewing these details before routing is faster than correcting a rejected evaluation later.

The rated NCO should also monitor deadlines and communicate early with the rater. A leader who changes duty position, deploys, transfers, or becomes unavailable may affect routing and responsibility. These events should be addressed through the chain of command rather than left for the final submission date.

Use these practical checks before sending the report forward:

• Confirm the form, grade, evaluation type, and rating period.
• Compare duty descriptions with the NCO’s actual responsibilities.
• Support performance statements with records, dates, and measurable outcomes.
• Verify every required reviewer and digital signature.
• Save the approved report and confirm its arrival in the official record.

Connect The Evaluation To Career Records

An NCOER can affect professional development, assignments, and future promotion consideration, so accuracy matters beyond the immediate submission. Soldiers who are tracking career information can review guidance on checking Army promotion points, while remembering that promotion eligibility and point calculations depend on current Army policy and official systems.

The evaluation should present a balanced, evidence-based account of performance and potential. It should not be written to inflate results or conceal deficiencies. Clear counseling, timely feedback, and accurate documentation give the rating chain a defensible basis for the final assessment.

Begin by confirming the rating chain and evaluation dates with the unit S-1, then prepare the duty description and supporting evidence before opening the report in EES. After routing, monitor the status until the signed evaluation is accepted and reflected in the official record.