How to Submit a Waiver for a Missed OER Rating Period

A missed Officer Evaluation Report (OER) rating period can create an administrative gap that affects a soldier’s record, career planning, and future assignments. The solution is usually a formal waiver, exception-to-policy request, or command-directed correction supported by clear evidence.

The exact process depends on why the report was missed, how long the rating period lasted, and which headquarters has authority to approve the request. A local S1, G1, senior rater, or servicing administrative office can identify the correct route before paperwork is submitted.

For soldiers serving in Australia, time zones and local working arrangements can add practical complications. A commander in Canberra, a unit in Brisbane, or a soldier posted near Perth may be coordinating with U.S.-based offices during different business hours. Plan ahead rather than leaving the request until an end-of-day “arvo” deadline.

Identify Why The OER Was Missed

Begin by establishing the facts. Confirm the beginning and ending dates of the rating period, the duty position held, the assigned rater and senior rater, and whether the officer changed units, deployed, went on extended leave, or became unavailable. A missing report may result from an administrative oversight, a change of duty, a relief-for-cause issue, or a misunderstanding about minimum rating requirements.

Review the officer’s evaluation history and personnel documents before writing the waiver. If digital records are difficult to access, the guide on locating iPERMS records may help you find supporting documents such as orders, duty descriptions, counselling records, or previous evaluations.

The reason should be precise and supported by dates. “The report was overlooked” is weaker than a short explanation showing that the rater departed on a specific date, the officer moved to another organisation, and the unit discovered the gap during a records review.

Confirm The Correct Administrative Route

There is no single universal waiver template for every missed OER situation. The required format may be set by the unit, command, personnel office, or current Army guidance. Ask the S1 or G1 whether the request should be titled a waiver, exception to policy, memorandum for record, administrative correction, or another type of submission.

Your chain of command normally needs to review the request before it goes to the approval authority. The rater and senior rater may need to provide statements explaining what happened and whether they can still give a fair evaluation. If either person is unavailable, the command may need to explain why a substitute process is appropriate.

Use the current Army regulation and evaluation guidance rather than relying on an old example found online. Administrative rules can change, and a form that was accepted several years ago may now be incomplete. General websites can help with orientation, but they do not replace official instructions from the responsible headquarters.

Build A Complete Supporting Packet

A strong waiver packet makes the timeline easy to follow. Include the proposed memorandum, a chronology of relevant events, duty-assignment or transfer orders, previous counselling evidence, communication showing attempts to correct the issue, and any statement from the rater or senior rater. Keep the documents in a logical order and use consistent dates throughout.

Explain the remedy being requested. The command may need approval to submit a late evaluation, reconstruct a report, accept an alternative evaluation, or correct an entry in the personnel record. Do not assume that approval of a waiver automatically creates a completed OER; those may be separate administrative steps.

Check names, ranks, organisation titles, duty dates, and signatures carefully. A minor mismatch can cause the packet to be returned for correction. For soldiers coordinating from Australia, allow extra time around Australian public holidays and U.S. federal holidays, especially when the reviewing office is located several time zones away.

Submit Through The Chain Of Command

Start with the immediate supervisor or unit administrative section unless local instructions say otherwise. The packet should move through the chain of command so that leaders can confirm the facts and endorse the requested remedy. Sending it directly to a distant personnel office without command review may slow the process or result in a request for additional information.

Track the submission date, recipient, action officer, and current status. Keep the signed version and all attachments in a secure location. If the packet is returned, save the comments and revise the documents promptly rather than starting over without a record of the earlier submission.

Access records only through approved systems. The EES Army login page may help users locate general information about the evaluation system, but EES Army is an informational website rather than an official Army government portal. Use authorised Army credentials, approved networks, and the instructions provided by your command.

Cyber awareness also matters when researching administrative topics. A commercial page such as a live roulette guide has no role in an OER waiver, so unrelated links should never be used to access military records or upload official documents.

Follow Up After Approval

Approval is only one milestone. Confirm whether the late OER must be prepared, signed, submitted through the evaluation system, or uploaded into the official personnel record. Ask the servicing office how long the correction normally takes and whether you will receive a transaction number or other proof of completion.

After processing, review the record again. Check that the correct evaluation appears, the rating period is accurate, and the missing gap no longer affects the officer’s history. If the document does not appear after the stated processing time, contact the action officer with the original approval and submission evidence.

Documents And Checks To Include

• A clear explanation of why the rating period was missed
• Exact start and end dates for the affected period
• Rater and senior rater details, including availability
• Orders, assignment records, or other evidence supporting the timeline
• Command endorsements and required signatures
• The specific correction or waiver action being requested

A timely follow-up is especially useful for officers approaching a promotion or assignment board. Keep copies in accordance with Army records rules, avoid sending protected information through personal email, and ask the unit S1 or G1 to confirm when the matter is fully closed.