- DA 4856, Developmental Counseling Form, March 2023 (.pdf mil site)
- DA 4856, Developmental Counseling Form, March 2023 (.pdf local copy)
- DA 4856, Developmental Counseling Form, July 2014 (.pdf local copy)
- DA 4856, Developmental Counseling Form, August 2010 (.xfdl local copy)
Why, in the world, did the Army create a form that is only fillable online and only works with a very specific operating system? This shows how disconnected the higher ranks are from the junior NCOs who are largely impacted by the creation of this.
As an NCO, I pay, out of pocket, $100 a month and then several hundred dollars for a puck because the Army doesn't provide internet for its first line Supervisors, as they operate in the field. I am currently writing this from the MWR. I had hopes of downloading the form and returning to my operating environment. I'm doing this on my personal computer, also paid for by me, because this is the only means by which to accomplish the mission that is expected of me.
Let's get back to incorporating the lessons from Six Sigma Lean. Let us celebrate and reward simplify processes so that first line supervisors can be better equipped to manage their Soldiers and accomplish the mission.
I agree with the statement above. I have spent over 2.5 hours now trying to configure and save an initial counseling as a pdf. I ended up printing the document and writing in additional items, and had the soldier physically sign their counseling. Then I had to scan it to my email instead of simply being able to have the soldier sign the document digitally. Simplify the process, make it easier for NCOs to access and edit a necessary formal document.
