Form DA 4856 is a Developmental Counseling Form used by the United States Army. It's a tool for documenting and tracking counseling sessions between leaders and their personnel. The form is used to record details about the counselee's performance, professional development needs, and any planned actions or goals.
Here’s what happens with the form:
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Purpose and Use: It’s mainly for guiding and improving the performance and professionalism of the individual being counseled. This includes addressing both positive behaviors and areas needing improvement.
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Content: The form includes sections for identifying information about the individual, the counseling date, the purpose of the counseling, key points of discussion, a plan of action, session summary, and leader responsibilities. It also includes space for the individual’s response and a follow-up plan.
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Follow-Up: The DA 4856 form helps in setting clear goals and outcomes expected from the counseling. It outlines specific steps the individual should take and how their progress will be monitored.
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Confidentiality and Record-Keeping: While the form is a record of counseling, it's used within the military structure to ensure both parties understand the focus of the session and agreed-upon outcomes. It may be kept as part of the individual’s military records.
This form is crucial in the Army for maintaining professional development, addressing issues, and documenting the guidance provided by leaders to their team members.