The following are senior rater requirements and eligibility by evaluation report:
a. DA Form 67–10 series.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs 2–7a(5) through 2–7a(7), a senior rater will be a commissioned officer of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Coast Guard, or a DoD Civilian employee (including nonappropriated fund employees). Members of Allied Armed Forces are not authorized to be senior raters.
(2)
The minimum grade for a senior rater will be in accordance with table 2–1. A civilian senior rater will be a designated supervisor of the rated officer serving at an appropriate grade level above the rater and meeting the minimum grade or rank requirements in table 2–1. For purposes of this regulation, a civilian supervisor/rating official need not be classified as a supervisor under the Office of Personnel Management classification guidance provided they are responsible for directing and assessing the rated Soldier’s performance. See exceptions for AMEDD officers in appendix E.
(3)
The senior rater will be the immediate supervisor of the rater and a supervisor above all other rating officials in the rated officer’s chain of command or chain of supervision, except as indicated in paragraph 2–6 and 2–7a(13).
To render a written OER, the senior rater must have been designated as the rated officer’s senior rater for a minimum period of 60 calendar days, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph.
For USAR TPU, DIMA, and drilling IRR Soldiers and ARNG Soldiers, the senior rater must have served in that capacity for a minimum of 90 calendar days (see apps G and H).
(4)
Senior executive service (SES) members, as defined in 5 USC 3132 and serving in DoD positions, may senior rate all grades of rated officers, provided they are in the rated officer’s chain of supervision and are at least one level above the rater or intermediate rater of the rated officer.
See paragraph 2–8a(2) and section IV of this chapter regarding supplementary review requirements.
DA Pam 623–3 provides procedural guidance on OER administrative data.
(5)
Members of Congress may senior rate all grades of rated officers serving as fellows or military liaisons on the member’s personal staff.
Normally, the member’s civilian chief of staff, or another individual on the member’s staff who supervises the day-to-day duties of the rated officer, will serve as the rater (or intermediate rater) when the member of Congress is the senior rater.
(6)
Ambassadors may senior rate all grades of officers serving at U.S. consulates under an ambassador’s authority.
(7)
Under unique circumstances, requests for other U.S. Government officials (for example, political appointees) to serve as senior raters may be granted as an exception to policy.
Written requests for an exception to policy will be submitted to the appropriate HQDA component in accordance with the guidance contained in paragraph 2–7a(8).
See paragraph 2–8a(2) and section IV of this chapter regarding supplementary review requirements.
DA Pam 623–3 provides procedural guidance on OER administrative data.
(8)
Requests for exception to policy will be submitted to HRC (AHRC–PDV–E) at the beginning of the rating period, or the earliest possible date when it is known that the official will need to serve as the senior rater.
Written requests will be in memorandum format on letterhead stationery and will indicate the rated officer’s rank and full name, DoDID number, the period during which the U.S. Government official will serve as the senior rater, the effective date, and the justification for them to serve as senior rater (see app F).
A copy of the HRC-approved exception to policy memorandum will be submitted to the appropriate HQDA component as an enclosure to the completed OER.
(9)
Senior raters may evaluate the rated officer with fewer than 60 days as a senior rater if they also served as the rated officer’s intermediate rater in a previously published chain, and the combined total of time served in the rating chain equals 60 days or more.
For other exceptions to this policy, see chapter 3, sections VIII and IX.
(10)
A senior rater who has been selected for promotion and who is in an authorized position for the next grade will be considered to be serving in the next grade.
The symbol “P” will be inserted after their current rank on the applicable OER.
(See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)
(11)
A senior rater who has been selected for promotion but who is not in a position authorized for the next grade will be considered to be serving in their current grade.
The symbol “P” will not appear after the current rank on the applicable OER.
(12)
Senior raters will meet the minimum grade requirements listed in table 2–1.
(13)
Senior raters will be senior in grade or date of rank to the rater and the intermediate rater.
Exceptions to this rule may apply if—
(a)
The senior rater is authorized by paragraph 2–5b(1) to rate the other members of the rating chain.
(b)
The senior rater is a COL serving in a COL-level chief of staff position and is, therefore, authorized to senior rate the rated Soldiers of the personnel they rate.
This authority does not apply to a COL serving as the acting chief of staff.
(c)
The senior rater is a BG serving in a BG-level chief of staff position and is, therefore, authorized to senior rate the rated Soldiers of the personnel they rate.
This authority does not apply to a BG serving as the acting chief of staff.
(d)
A senior rater need not be senior in grade or date of rank to a designated intermediate rater from a nonparent unit when dual supervision exists.
(14)
To senior rate officers in the ranks of WO1 through chief warrant officer four (CW4) and 2LT/1LT:
(a)
Military senior raters will be will be at least a promotable captain (CPTP) or major (MAJ), meeting the requirements of table 2–1.
(b)
Civilian senior rater supervisors will be at least general schedule (GS)-13, or equivalent, to senior rate officers in the ranks of WO1 through CW4 and 2LT/1LT.
(15)
To senior rate officers in the ranks of CW4P and CW5:
(a)
Military senior raters will be at least a promotable major (MAJP) or lieutenant colonel (LTC), meeting the requirements of table 2–1.
(b)
Civilian senior rater supervisors will be at least GS–13, or equivalent, to senior rate officers in the ranks of CW4P and CW5.
(16)
To senior rate officers in the ranks of 1LTP through MAJ:
(a)
Military senior raters will be at least two grades higher than the rated officer.
(b)
Civilian senior rater supervisors will be at least GS–13, or equivalent, to senior rate officers in the ranks of 1LTP through MAJ.
(17)
To senior rate officers in the ranks of MAJP or LTC:
(a)
Military senior raters will be at least one grade higher than the rated officer.
(b)
Civilian senior rater supervisors will be at least GS–15 or equivalent to senior rate officers in the ranks of MAJP or LTC.
(18)
To senior rate officers in the ranks of LTCP or COL:
(a)
Military senior raters will be at least one grade higher than the rated officer.
(b)
Civilian senior raters will be at least SES rank and precedence or equivalent to senior rate officers in the ranks of LTCP through BG.
(19)
To senior rate officers in the rank of promotable colonel (COLP) or BG, the senior rater will be senior in grade or date of rank to the other members of the rating chain.
b. DA Form 2166–9 series.
(1)
Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs 2–7a(5) through 2–7a(7), a senior rater will be an officer or NCO of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S Coast Guard, or a DoD Civilian (or nonappropriated fund employee).
Members of Allied Armed Forces are not authorized to be senior raters.
Exceptions for U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) are outlined in paragraph 2–7b(16).
(2)
The minimum grade for a senior rater will be in accordance with table 2–1.
A civilian senior rater will be a designated supervisor of the rated NCO serving at an appropriate grade level above the rater and meeting the minimum grade or rank requirements in table 2–1.
For purposes of this regulation, a civilian supervisor/rating official need not be classified as a supervisor under the Office of Personnel Management classification guidance provided they are responsible for directing and assessing the rated Soldier’s performance.
(3)
The senior rater will be the immediate supervisor of the rater.
To render a written NCOER, the senior rater must have been designated as the rated NCO’s senior rater for a minimum period of 60 calendar days, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (see chap 3, secs VIII and IX).
For USAR TPU, DIMA, and drilling IRR Soldiers and ARNG Soldiers, the senior rater must have served in that capacity for a minimum of 90 calendar days (see apps G and H).
(4)
SES members, as defined in 5 USC 3132 and serving in DoD positions, may senior rate all grades of rated NCOs, provided they are in the rated NCO’s chain of supervision and are at least one level above the rater.
See paragraph 2–8a(2) and section IV of this chapter regarding supplementary review requirements.
DA Pam 623–3 provides procedural guidance on NCOER administrative data.
(5)
Ambassadors may senior rate all grades of NCOs serving at U.S. consulates under an ambassador’s authority.
(6)
Under unique circumstances, requests for other U.S. Government officials (for example, political appointees) to serve as senior raters may be granted as an exception to policy.
Written requests for an exception to policy will be submitted to the appropriate HQDA component in accordance with the guidance contained in paragraph 2–7b(7).
See paragraph 2–8a(2) and section IV of this chapter regarding supplementary review requirements.
DA Pam 623–3 provides procedural guidance on NCOER administrative data.
(7)
Requests for exception to policy will be submitted to HRC (AHRC–PDV–E) at the beginning of the rating period, or the earliest possible date when it is known that the official will need to serve as the senior rater (see app F).
Written requests will be in memorandum format on letterhead stationery and will indicate the rated NCO’s rank and full name, DoDID number, the period during which the U.S. Government official will serve as the senior rater, the effective date, and the justification for them to serve as senior rater.
A copy of the HRC-approved exception to policy memorandum will be submitted to the appropriate HQDA component as an enclosure to the completed NCOER.
(8)
Senior raters may evaluate the rated NCO with fewer than 60 days as a senior rater if they also served as the rated NCO’s rater in a previously published chain, and the combined total of time served in the rating chain equals 60 days or more.
For other exceptions to this policy, see chapter 3, sections VIII and IX.
(9)
A senior rater who has been selected for promotion (that is, whose name is on a promotion list) and who is in an authorized position for the next grade will be considered to be serving in the next grade.
The symbol “P” will be inserted after their current rank on the applicable NCOER.
(See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)
(10)
A senior rater who has been selected for promotion (that is, whose name is on a promotion list) but who is not in a position authorized for the next grade will be considered to be serving in their current grade.
The symbol “P” will not appear next to their current rank on the applicable NCOER.
(11)
Senior raters will meet the minimum grade requirements of table 2–1.
(12)
Senior raters will be senior in grade or date of rank to the rater.
Exceptions to this rule may apply if:
(a)
The senior rater is authorized by paragraph 2–5b(1) to rate the other members of the rating chain.
(b)
The senior rater is a COL serving in a COL-level chief of staff position and is, therefore, authorized to senior rate the rated Soldiers of the personnel they rate.
This authority does not apply to a COL serving as the acting chief of staff.
(c)
The senior rater is a BG serving in a BG-level chief of staff position and is, therefore, authorized to senior rate the rated Soldiers of the personnel they rate.
This authority does not apply to a BG serving as the acting chief of staff.
(13)
To senior rate NCOs in the ranks of SGT or promotable sergeant (SGTP), military senior raters will be at least the rank of sergeant first class (SFC) or above.
An exception exists which allows for staff sergeant promotable (SSGP) serving in an authorized position for the next grade to senior rate.
(14)
To senior rate NCOs in the ranks of staff sergeant (SSG) or SSGP, military senior raters will be at least the rank of master sergeant (MSG) or above.
An exception exists which allows for sergeant first class promotable (SFCP) serving in an authorized position for the next grade to senior rate.
(15)
To senior rate NCOs in the ranks of SFC or SFCP, military senior raters will be at least the rank of SGM or above.
(16)
To senior rate NCOs in the ranks of MSG through CSM, military senior raters will be senior in grade or date of rank to the other members of the rating chain.
Exceptions to this rule apply for NCOs assigned to the USASMA.
CSMs serving at USASMA as the Director, Sergeants Major Course or Director, Staff and Faculty are not required to be senior in date of rank to the CSMs assigned as their respective deputies in order to serve as a senior rater for an NCO that their respective deputy rates.
The director positions are considered BDE CSM positions (TDA remarks code 7C), while the deputy directors are considered BN CSM positions (TDA remarks code 6C).
c. Civilian employees.
DoD Civilian employees in the grade of GS–09 or equivalent and above may serve as senior raters when there is no immediate military supervisor and when the civilian supervisor is responsible for directing and assessing the rater’s performance, as established on the rating scheme, and is in the best position to accurately evaluate the rated NCO.
The uniqueness of other civilian pay scales precludes the establishment of a general Armywide policy.
Therefore, the minimum grade for civilian senior raters holding other than GS pay grades is determined by local commanders.
The civilian senior rater will be officially designated on the published rating scheme established by the local commander.
Table 2–1
Minimum grade requirements for senior raters on DA Form 67–10 series and DA Form 2166–9 series—Continued
| Rank of rated officer/NCO | Minimum rank or grade of military senior rater | Minimum grade/schedule and pay grades of civilian supervisor senior rater (merit/GS pay grade) |
|---|---|---|
| SGT/SGTP | E–7 (SFC)/SSGP | GS–9 or equivalent |
| SSG/SSGP | E–8 (MSG)/SFCP | GS–9 or equivalent |
| SFC/SFCP | E–9 (SGM) | GS–9 or equivalent |
| MSG/master sergeant promotable (MSGP)/1SG/1SGP/SGM/CSM | Senior to the rater | GS–9 or equivalent |
| WO1 through CW4 | O–4 MAJ/Maj/(CPTP) | GS–13 or equivalent |
| CW4P/CW5 | O–5 LTC/LtCol/Lt Col/MAJP | GS–13 or equivalent |
| 2LT/1LT | O–4 MAJ/Maj/(CPTP) | GS–13 or equivalent |
| 1LTP/CPT | O–5 LTC/LtCol/Lt Col/MAJP | GS–13 or equivalent |
| CPTP/MAJ | O–6 COL/Col/LTCP | GS–13 or equivalent |
| MAJP/LTC | O–6 COL/LTCP | GS–15 or equivalent |
| LTCP/COL | O–7 BG/BGen/Brig Gen/(COLP) | SES (see paras 2-7a(4) and 2-7a(18)(b)) |
| COLP/BG | Senior to the rater and intermediate rater | Senior to the rater and intermediate rater |
Notes:
1
A promotable officer or NCO (signified on the OER and NCOER by placing a “P” after the current rank) is one who is on a promotion list (or selected for attendance to USASMA) and is currently serving in a position authorized for the next higher rank or grade. (See para 2–11 for ARNG-specific requirements.)
2
Civilian raters must be officially designated on the published rating scheme established by the local commander and meet the minimum grade requirements indicated. The uniqueness of the other civilian pay scales precludes the establishment of a general Armywide policy. Therefore, the minimum grade for civilian senior raters holding other than GS pay grades is determined by local commanders.
3
As an exception to this rule, senior Army advisors, ARNG, are rated by the associated state/territory adjutant general (AG) and senior rated by the assigned First Army Division Commander (Division East or Division West), regardless of the relative dates of rank of the rating officials.
4
Other exceptions to this rule apply as indicated in paragraphs 2-7a(13)(b) and 2-7b(16), and for AMEDD COLs as specified in appendix E.
5
For supplementary review requirements, see paragraph 2-8a(2).
6
United States Navy (USN) senior rater rank equivalents are: O–4, lieutenant commander; O5, commander; O–6, captain; O–7, rear admiral (lower half-BG equivalent); and O–8, rear admiral (upper half major general (MG) equivalent). Admirals, who are equivalent to general officers, are referred to as flag officers.
Legend
- Maj = major (used by Marine Corps and United States Air Force (USAF))
- LtCol = lieutenant colonel (used by Marine Corps)
- Lt Col = lieutenant colonel (used by USAF)
- Col = colonel (used by Marine Corps and USAF)
- BGen = brigadier general (used by Marine Corps)
- Brig Gen = brigadier general (used by USAF)