Let’s be real for a second. Most NCOs treat the DA Form 2166-9-1A like a chore they can just breeze through right before the rating period ends. They’ll throw in some generic "did my job" fluff and call it a day. But if you're looking at examples of ncoer support form entries, you probably already know that’s a huge mistake. The support form isn't just a document; it’s your primary weapon for controlling your own narrative. It’s where you tell your rater exactly why you deserve that "Far Exceeded Standard" or "Most Qualified" box check.
I’ve seen plenty of Sergeants and Staff Sergeants struggle to translate their daily grind into those punchy, high-impact bullets the Army loves. Honestly, it’s a bit of an art form. You have to balance being humble with the fact that, on paper, you need to look like the next coming of Alvin York.
Why the Support Form is Your Secret Weapon
The support form is the foundation. If you wait until your NCOER is due to start thinking about your accomplishments, you’ve already lost. You've forgotten the small wins. You've forgotten that time you stayed late to fix the comms before the jump or how you mentored that PFC who was on the verge of an Article 15.
Essentially, the support form serves as a running record. When your rater sits down to write your evaluation, they’re going to look at your 2166-9-1A. If it’s empty, they’re going to guess. And trust me, you don’t want someone guessing about your career. You want to provide examples of ncoer support form bullets that make it impossible for them to give you a mediocre rating.
Breaking Down the Attributes: Real Examples
The Army evaluates us on two things: Attributes (who we are) and Competencies (what we do). When you’re filling out your support form, you need to categorize your goals and your achievements into these specific buckets.
Character: More Than Just Not Getting in Trouble
Character isn't just about passing a drug test. It’s about the Army Values, Empathy, and the Warrior Ethos. On your support form, your objectives should reflect how you plan to lead by example.
Illustrative Examples of Performance Objectives:
- Promote a unit climate of dignity and respect by strictly enforcing SHARP and EO policies.
- Maintain 100% accountability of all sensitive items during the upcoming NTC rotation.
- Foster a "People First" mentality by conducting monthly developmental counseling for all subordinates.
Illustrative Examples of Accomplishments:
- o supported the Army's SHARP/EO programs; facilitated three unit-level training sessions resulting in zero reported incidents.
- o exhibited unwavering integrity; identified and reported a $5k property accountability discrepancy, saving the unit from a FLIPL.
- o mentored three "at-risk" Soldiers, improving their morale and resulting in zero alcohol-related incidents during the rating period.
Presence: Look the Part, Act the Part
This is about your professional bearing, fitness, and resilience. If you’re a PT stud, this is your time to shine. If you’re the NCO who stays calm when the TOC is losing its mind, put it here.
Illustrative Examples of Performance Objectives:
- Achieve a score of 540 or higher on the ACFT.
- Graduate from the Battle Staff NCO Course with a GPA above 90%.
- Maintain an immaculate professional appearance and set the standard for the platoon.
Illustrative Examples of Accomplishments:
- o led from the front with an ACFT score of 565; motivated five Soldiers to increase their individual scores by an average of 30 points.
- o demonstrated exceptional resilience during a 14-day field exercise; maintained mission focus despite 48 hours of continuous operations.
- o selected as the Battalion NCO of the Quarter; represented the unit with "best-in-class" military bearing and knowledge.
The Meat of the Evaluation: Competencies
This is where you show what you actually did. The competencies—Leads, Develops, and Achieves—are the heavy hitters for promotion boards.
Leads: Influence Beyond the Rank
Leading isn't just giving orders. It’s about building trust and communicating. If you’re looking for examples of ncoer support form bullets in this category, focus on how you influenced the mission.
- o communicated complex FRAGORDs to the squad under high-stress conditions; resulted in 100% mission success during live-fire exercises.
- o built trust across the staff; coordinated with the S-4 to secure $15k in additional training ammunition for the platoon.
- o led a team of 10 Soldiers during a humanitarian relief mission; provided 500+ meals to local civilians while maintaining security.
Develops: Building the Future
Boards love to see NCOs who take care of their Soldiers. If you aren't developing the next generation, you aren't doing your job.
- o mentored two Specialists for the promotion board; both were selected for Sergeant on their first attempt.
- o created a comprehensive "Train-the-Trainer" program for the new radio systems; increased platoon technical proficiency by 40%.
- o encouraged civilian education; assisted four Soldiers in enrolling in college courses, resulting in 12 combined semester hours.
Achieves: Getting Results
This is the bottom line. Did you get the job done? Did you meet the commander's intent? Use numbers here. Numbers don't lie.
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- o managed $2.4 million worth of equipment with zero losses during a high-tempo deployment.
- o increased the section’s MOS qualification rate from 75% to 100% within six months.
- o planned and executed a Company-level range; qualified 120 Soldiers on the M4 carbine with a 95% first-time pass rate.
Tips for Writing Like an Expert
The biggest mistake I see is being too vague. "Soldier did a good job" is a death sentence for your NCOER. You need to be specific. Use the Action-Action-Result method. What did you do, how did you do it, and what was the impact on the unit?
Also, keep it punchy. You only have so much space on the form. Use strong verbs like "spearheaded," "orchestrated," "revitalized," and "engineered." Avoid passive language like "was responsible for." Honestly, if you were "responsible for" it and nothing happened, that’s not an accomplishment—that’s just the bare minimum.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until the last minute: I've said it once, I'll say it again. Keep a "love me" file on your phone or in a notebook. Every time you do something cool, write it down.
- Not aligning with the Commander's goals: If your Commander is focused on maintenance and all your bullets are about PT, you’re missing the mark. Check the "Areas of Special Emphasis" on your rater’s support form.
- Being too humble: This isn't the time to be shy. If you did the work, take the credit. Your peers definitely will.
- Copy-pasting from the internet: Use examples of ncoer support form bullets for inspiration, but make them your own. Your rater will know if you just ripped something off a website.
Practical Next Steps for Your Support Form
Instead of just staring at a blank PDF, start with these steps:
- Review your Rater’s Support Form: See what their goals are and align yours to support them. If they want 100% weapon qualification, make that your goal too.
- Audit your last 90 days: Look back at your calendar. What ranges did you run? What equipment did you fix? Which Soldiers did you counsel?
- Draft three bullets per category: Don't worry about making them perfect yet. Just get the raw data down.
- Focus on the "Impact": For every bullet, ask yourself "So what?" If the answer is "Because it was my job," dig deeper to find the actual value you added to the Army.
- Schedule a sit-down: Don't just email the form. Sit down with your rater and explain why you chose these goals and how your accomplishments meet their expectations.
By treating the support form as a living document rather than a bureaucratic hurdle, you're not just filling out paperwork—you're actively managing your trajectory in the NCO corps. Get the data, write the impact, and let the form do the heavy lifting for your next promotion.