a.
A decision to appeal an evaluation report must not be made lightly.
Before deciding whether or not to appeal, the prospective appellant should analyze the case dispassionately.
The prospective appellant will note that:
(1)
Pleas for relief citing past or subsequent performance or assumed future value to the Army are rarely successful.
(2)
Limited support is provided by statements from people who observed the appellant’s performance before or after the period in question (unless performing the same duty in the same unit under similar circumstances), letters of commendation or appreciation for specific but unrelated instances of outstanding performance, or citations for awards, inclusive of the same period.
b.
Once the decision has been made to appeal an evaluation report, the appellant will state succinctly what is being appealed and the basis for the appeal.
For example, the appellant will state—
(1)
Whether the entire evaluation report is contested or only a specific part or comment.
(2)
The basis for the belief that the rating officials were not objective or had an erroneous perception of their performance.
A personality conflict between the appellant and a rating official does not constitute grounds for a favorable appeal; it must be shown conclusively that the conflict resulted in an inaccurate or unjust evaluation.
c.
Most appellants will never be completely satisfied with the evidence obtained.
A point is reached, however, when the appellant will decide whether to submit with the available evidence or to forgo the appeal entirely.
The following factors are to be considered:
(1)
The evidence must support the allegation.
The appellant needs to remember that the case will be reviewed by impartial board members who will be influenced only by the available evidence.
Their decision will be based on their best judgment of the evidence provided.
(2)
Correcting minor administrative errors or deleting one official’s rating does not invalidate the evaluation report.