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OFFICE SYMBOL                                                                                      Date

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

SUBJECT:  Executive Officer Initial Counseling 

1.	References.

a.	DA 4856 Developmental Counseling Form, dated ____________.

b.	DA 67-9-1 OER Support Form, dated ____________.

2.	Purpose. The purpose of this memorandum is a tool designed to reinforce both the Army and unit standards. These standards will help us achieve excellence, competence, discipline, and esprit de corps.

3.	Content. This memorandum contains critical subject areas that I feel deserve specific mentioning. By no means is this memorandum intended to limit the scope of responsibility or awareness, but rather to serve as a springboard for our future success and commitment to excellence.

4.	Rated Officer’s Principle Duty Title (Reference DA 4856 & DA 67-9-1):  INSERT TEXT.

5.	Rated Officer’s Daily Duties and Scope (Reference DA 4856 & DA 67-9-1)):  INSERT TEXT.

6.	Areas of Emphasis.

a.	Leadership. Lead by example. Leaders should always place the mission first. It is our duty as Leaders to ensure that each mission given to us is completed to the highest standard possible. At the same time, we must be keen observers and listeners, giving assistance and sound advice to others when the need arises. Strive for excellence and instill the spirit to achieve and win into your subordinates. Be on time and in the right uniform, and demand the same standard. Set the example for others to follow: “Be, Know, Do.” Live the Army values and uphold the Officer Creed.

b.	Competence. Maintain proficiency within the scope of your current duties and MOS. Make sound and timely decisions even in the absence of leadership. Strive for excellence, take the initiative, and follow through with your intent. Accomplish each task to the best of your abilities, and do not try to carry the burden of every task alone. Delegate responsibilities and tasks when appropriate. Do not hesitate to ask for help or advice. Learn from your experiences. Strive to understand and execute the tasks and responsibilities one level up. 

c.	Safety. Always maintain safety awareness. Ensure subordinates conduct a risk assessment (CRM worksheet and brief) prior to any mission. Be familiar with and brief subordinates on all unit safety policies. 

d.	Training. Remain mission focused and performance oriented. Know the unit’s METL (mission essential task list), and ensure that NCOs are developing training focused on the METL. Plan and execute individual, as well as collective training that supports the unit’s mission. Teach Soldiers common tasks and duty-related skills. Share knowledge and experience to fight, survive, and win.

e.	Communication. Communication is a two way street. I expect you to keep me constantly informed of any problems as soon as possible. It is my responsibility to reciprocate the information flow. To be successful as a Company, it is imperative that all Leaders and Soldiers maintain proper communication channels.

f.	Responsibility. Take responsibility for your own actions and the actions of our Company: good, bad, right, and wrong. Learn from them. Ensure that we are delegating those responsibilities to the right Leaders when necessary and that we are holding them accountable for the success/failure of the mission.

g.	Education. Seek self-improvement continuously. Learn and progress through military and civilian education, as well as day-to-day experiences. Demand the same from our Soldiers. 

h.	Physical Fitness, Appearance, and Professionalism. Maintain a professional appearance as well as a high state of mental and physical readiness. Look like a Leader and conduct yourself as a Leader. Your appearance, stamina, and actions often determine your effectiveness as a Leader toward subordinates, peers, and superiors alike.

i.	Chain of Command. I am committed to addressing the concerns of all members of the command. Although I am a strong advocate of using the NCO support channels to resolve issues. Ensure Soldiers and Leaders understand this process as well. My door is always open to them as long as they have brought it to their Leader’s and your attention prior to it reaching my desk.

j.	Counseling. Read FM 22-100, Appendix C, AR 623-3, and DA PAM 623-3. Performance counseling will be conducted at a minimum, monthly for CPL/SPC and below and quarterly for SGT and above. Areas to be covered should include, but are not limited to: sustains, improves, and upcoming events. All counseling 

packets should be documented in the Soldier’s Company personnel folders in the training room.

k.	Soldier/Family Assistance. Various organizations are available for the Soldiers and their family members: Red Cross, ACS, AER, Chaplain, JAG, IG, etc. As an Officer, you should be able to access these facilities IOT assist Soldiers in need. If you or the Company Support Channel feels it necessary for one of the Soldiers to seek assistance from any of the various organizations, everything will be done to ensure that an appointment is made as soon as possible to ensure an expeditious remedy.

l.	Accountability and Maintenance. Properly maintain and account for all personnel and equipment:

(1)	Personnel should be accounted for daily. First-line supervisors should stay informed, always knowing the location of their Soldiers and what they are doing throughout the duty day.

(2)	Issued items, such as initial issue, CIF, organizational equipment, and RFI (rapid fielding initiative) should be inspected monthly. Personnel living within the Company Barracks should have their rooms inspected, at a minimum, weekly. 

(3)	All equipment and vehicles will be properly inventoried with all shortages annotated on a DA 2062 and turned-in for review. First-line supervisor should follow up on shortages on a weekly basis.

(4)	All equipment will be hand receipted down to the user level in the COC. Sub-hand receipt (HR) holders will be responsible for their assigned equipment and conduct monthly inventories.

(5)	Inventories will be conducted to standards with all non-expendable (N), durable (D), and expendable (X) items laid out for inspection. All sub-HR holders will have their sub-HR present, inventory the equipment, and annotate any shortages prior to inspection by the PLT/CO leadership.

(6)	Informal inventories will be conducted NLT the 15th of every month IOT properly annotate any deficiencies and provide time to process a FLIPL. Formal inventories will be command directed.

m.	Army Policies. EO, sexual harassment, abusive practices are as you know serious topics on which the Army has set forth stringent guidelines. In its simplest form, we who are employed by the military do not practice, condone, or encourage actions, which cause someone to be treated unfairly based on race, sex, religion, ethnic background, or any reason other than ability and merit. Sexual harassment is not only degrading but inhibits productivity and can be very harmful to the individual subjected. As an Officer you must remain alert to any of these practices and put an immediate and appropriate halt to them. I expect your total support in this area.

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The above signed are in agreement that the counseling occurred on XX XXX XX.