a.
An OER, NCOER, DA Form 1059, or DA Form 1059–2 may have administrative errors or may not accurately record the rated Soldier’s potential or the manner in which they performed their duties.
The Evaluation Report Redress Program protects the Army’s interests and ensures fairness to the evaluated officer or NCO.
At the same time, it avoids impugning the integrity or judgment of the rating officials without sufficient cause.
A Commander’s or Commandant’s Inquiry and an evaluation report appeal are separate and distinct actions.
Rated Soldiers may seek an initial means of redress through a Commander’s or Commandant’s Inquiry.
A Commander’s or Commandant’s Inquiry is not a prerequisite for the submission of an appeal but may provide information to assist in a decision due to appeal.
b.
DA Pam 623–3 amplifies and clarifies the policies outlined in this chapter by providing detailed guidance on the preparation of an appeal.
Rated Soldiers are strongly encouraged to read the appeals section of DA Pam 623–3 in its entirety prior to preparing and submitting an appeal.
A thorough understanding of the appeals system can save considerable time and effort and reduce the chance of having an appeal returned without consideration.
Referenced Paragraphs
1–11. Commander’s or Commandant’s Inquiry
During the evaluation process or after it has been completed, when a commander or commandant discovers that an evaluation report rendered by a subordinate or a subordinate command may be illegal, unjust, or otherwise in violation of this regulation, her or she will conduct an inquiry into the matter.
The definition of a rendered evaluation report is one that is authenticated by all designated rating officials with a senior rater’s intent to present the final evaluation report to the rated Soldier for authentication, or apply the appropriate statement in the absence or inability for the rater Soldier to authenticate.
The Commander’s or Commandant’s Inquiry will be confined to matters related to the clarity of the evaluation report, the facts contained in the evaluation report, the compliance of the evaluation with policy and procedures established by HQDA, and the conduct of the rated Soldier and members of the rating chain.
The official does not have the authority to direct that an evaluation report be changed; command influence may not be used to alter the accurate evaluation of a rated Soldier by a rating official that was made in good faith.
The procedures used by the commander or commandant to process such an inquiry are described in chapter 4.
DA Pam 623–3
DA Pam 623–3 contains procedural guidance, preparation instructions, processing requirements, and appeal procedures related to evaluation reports, counseling, rating chains, and the Evaluation Report Redress Program.