A code 05, “Relief for Cause” OER, is required when an officer is relieved for cause, regardless of the rating period involved (for example, information pertaining to a previous reporting period that did not come to light until a later rating period).
“Relief for Cause” is defined as an early release of an officer from a specific duty or assignment directed by superior authority and based on a decision that the officer has failed in their performance of duty.
In this regard, duty performance will consist of the completion of assigned tasks in a competent manner and compliance at all times with the accepted professional officer standards consisting of attributes and competencies as part of the Leadership Requirements Model (see ADP/ADRP 6–22).
These standards will apply to conduct both on and off duty.
The following are additional considerations for “Relief for Cause” OERs.
AR 600–8–2 explains procedural requirements for a nontransferable flag for “Relief for Cause” reports.
a.
If, regardless of reason, the relief does not occur on the date the officer is removed from duty position responsibilities (that is, suspended), the period of time between the removal and the relief will be nonrated time included in the period of the “Relief for Cause” OER.
The published rating chain at the time of the relief will render the “Relief for Cause” OER at the time of the relief; no other OER will be due on this officer during this nonrated period.
b.
Cases where the rated officer has been suspended from duties pending an investigation will be resolved by the chain of command as expeditiously as possible to reduce the amount of potential nonrated time involved.
Every effort will be made to retain the established rating chain, with the officer performing alternate duties under that rating chain until the investigation is resolved.
If the rated officer is suspended and subsequently relieved, the period between the suspension and the relief is nonrated time.
The suspended officer will not render evaluation reports or receive an OER until their status (and, thus, their ability to serve as a rating official) is decided (that is, if relieved the rated officer will not render reports as a rating official).
While no OER will be rendered on a suspended officer during the period of suspension, for an officer who is suspended and subsequently returned to duty (not relieved), the period of suspension is recorded as evaluated time on the next OER.
c.
If a relief for cause is contemplated on the basis of an informal AR 15–6 investigation, referral procedures contained in that regulation will be followed before the act of initiating or directing the relief.
This is irrespective of the fact that the resultant OER will also be referred to the rated officer as described in paragraph 3–29.
This does not preclude a temporary suspension from assigned duties pending application of the procedural safeguards contained in AR 15–6.
Action to relieve an officer from any command position will not be taken until after obtaining written approval from the first general officer in the chain of command of the officer being relieved, as required by AR 600–20.
d.
The “Relief for Cause” OER must specifically indicate who directed the relief of the rated officer.
If the official directing relief is in the rating chain, that official will clearly explain the reason for the relief in their portion of the OER.
If the relief is directed by someone outside the rating chain, the evaluation report will indicate who directed the relief in either the rater or senior rater narrative portion.
See DA Pam 623–3 for instructions and procedural guidance that apply to completing a “Relief for Cause” report.
e.
If the relief is directed by someone other than the rating officials, the official directing the relief will describe the reasons for the relief in an enclosure to the OER (see fig 3–2).
See paras 2–15 through 2–18 for supplementary review requirements.
f.
If, after a “Relief for Cause” report has been submitted to HQDA, rating officials become aware of additional significant information, the provisions of paragraphs 3–37, 3–38, and 3–39 will apply.
g.
A rating official may relieve an officer because of information received about a previous reporting period.
For example, a rating official who receives information from a completed investigation regarding a past incident plans to relieve the officer from their present position or process them for elimination.
When this occurs, the following provisions apply:
(1)
A “Relief for Cause” report will be prepared.
(2)
The rated officer will be evaluated only on performance during the current rating period, with the exception of the statement clarifying the relief.
(3)
Rating restrictions described in DA Pam 623–3 do not apply.
(4)
The reason for the relief will be cited in the report.
(5)
If necessary, the new information will be forwarded to the previous rating chain when submitting an addendum, as described in paragraphs 3–37, 3–38, and 3–39.
h.
The minimum time requirements for rating officials do not apply.
All rating officials will evaluate the rated Soldier; however, any rating official who has not directed the relief, and does not agree with the relief, may state nonconcurrence in the proper narrative portion of the “Relief for Cause” OER.
Referenced Paragraphs
3–29. Referral process for DA Form 67–10 series and DA Form 1059 series
Referred evaluation reports will be provided to the rated Soldier for acknowledgment and an opportunity to comment before submission to HQDA.
3–37. Modifications to previously submitted evaluation reports
Evaluation reports accepted for inclusion in a Soldier’s AMHRR are presumed to be administratively correct, to have been prepared by the properly designated rating officials, and to represent the considered opinions and objective judgment of the rating officials at the time of preparation.
3–38. Newly received favorable information
Newly received favorable information pertaining to a completed evaluation report may be submitted as an addendum under authorized conditions.
3–39. Newly received derogatory information for DA Form 67–10 series, DA Form 2166–9 series and DA Form 1059 series
Newly received derogatory information may require referral, clarification, or addendum processing in accordance with this regulation.
2–15 through 2–18. Review requirements
These paragraphs prescribe review responsibilities, mandatory reviews, and supplementary review requirements for evaluation reports.
ADP/ADRP 6–22. Army Leadership Requirements Model
The Army Leadership Requirements Model establishes the attributes and competencies used to assess officer and NCO performance and potential.
AR 600–8–2
AR 600–8–2 explains procedural requirements for a nontransferable flag for “Relief for Cause” reports.
AR 15–6
AR 15–6 contains procedures for investigations and boards of officers, including referral procedures applicable before initiating or directing a relief for cause action.
AR 600–20
AR 600–20 contains command policy requirements, including approval authority requirements for relieving officers from command positions.