When is the earliest an NCOER can be signed?

The earliest an NCOER (Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Report) can be signed is 14 days prior to the NCO's thru date. This timeframe allows for a review and discussion of the evaluation between the rater and the rated NCO to ensure that all performance perspectives are considered before the actual evaluation period is concluded.

Being able to sign the NCOER at this point provides an opportunity for the rated NCO to acknowledge the evaluation process and for raters to document performance that may be influenced by recent developments or achievements leading up to the end of the rating period. This aligns with the intent to provide a fair assessment that accurately reflects the NCO's performance over the rating period while also complying with regulatory guidance.

In contrast, signing at the end of the rating period would not accommodate the necessary discussions and feedback that are essential steps in the evaluation process. Similarly, signing 30 days after the thru date would delay the evaluation, potentially impacting the NCO’s career progression and the timely documentation of their performance. Lastly, signing after the NCOER Support form submission is not the correct timeline since the support form is used for the preparation process but does not dictate the earliest signing timeframe of the actual NCOER itself.