Verbal Counseling Statement - DEPRECATED

This SOP page is no longer relevant. This could be due to historical changes, the page is out of date, or been replaced. Please view our Standard Operating Procedures page for the relevant SOP's.

Reason: New Page = Developmental Counseling Statement

Regimental Disciplinary Process
Counseling	Developmental Counseling Statement (DCS)
Repeated Minor Offences or Serious Offences	Letter of Reprimand (LOR) • Article 15 - Commander's Investigation and Hearing
Repeated Serious Offences or Gravely Serious Offences	Article 32 - Pre-Trial Investigation and Court Martial

This is the Document Release Information
Article Number:	7CAV-R-015
Scope:	Verbal Counseling Statement
Version:	Version 1.1
Effective Date:	05 AUG 18
Last Modified Date:	DDMMMYYYY
Approving Authority:	Regimental Commanding Officer
Point of Contact:	Regimental Chief of Staff

DOWNLOAD: Blank ICS/VCS Form

Purpose

A verbal counselling statement (VCS) is a Non-Punitive measure used to counsel an individual on something he or she has done that is incorrect. The goal of the VCS is to verbally discuss the issue with the individual until there is a full understanding of what they did wrong and what measures the individual will take to prevent it happening again.

Likewise the VCS ensures that the counselor, usually the next member in the individual's Chain of Command, has a plan of action to help the individual and it ensures that they will check back with trooper in future to ensure the issue is resolved. If an individual has done something incorrect, a VCS must be issued. Not documenting any discussions with individuals only hampers further counseling if it becomes necessary.

Content

The content of a Verbal Counseling Statement must at minimum detail the following:

1. The details of the behavior, actions or issue that prompted the VCS and how it contravenes our standards, rules or regulations.
2. A plan developed by the counselor in consultation with the trooper to ensure the issue doesn't reoccur. This plan should spell out the actions to be taken both by the trooper and the counselor to aid in its success.

Delivery

Generally speaking, there are two steps to delivery:

1. A private message (PM) is sent on the forum. This details the nature of the issue and basic steps to avoid recurrence. In the case of less serious issues, such as missing roll-call or section practice, the trooper will simply acknowledge the message and the counseling can be considered complete.
2. For any issue that could be considered even remotely serious, a meeting in Teamspeak is essential. Written forms of communication are not efficient at communicating feelings or intentions and therefore more difficult issues should always be resolved in Teamspeak.

Multiple VCS'

If an issue or behavior repeats itself within 90 days of being counseled for the same issue, a Negative Counseling Statement should be prepared and delivered. Refer to Battalion SOPs for more direction regarding missing roll-call and/or section practice.

If a trooper receives three VCS' within a 90-day period, the third becomes a Negative Counseling Statement automatically.

Record-Keeping

Record of a Verbal Counseling must be kept for at least 90 days. Refer to Battalion SOPs for how and where a VCS will be stored.

The Non-Punitive Nature of a VCS

A VCS is non-punitive. This means specifically that the VCS itself does not spell out a punishment as a result of the VCS. However, this does not mean that when being considered for non-statutory promotion in grade or billet that the VCS will not be factored into the decision-making process.

Special Note

A VCS is not meant to be this highly official, stern lecture on the deficiencies of a trooper's behavior or actions. It's simply a conversation about something that went wrong and helping the trooper to ensure they know it was incompatible with our standards or regulations and how to prevent re-occurrence. Set a light tone for the communications and assume the trooper just didn't know better. This will help troopers feel less threatened by the process and will avoid the spreading the perception of the VCS as a punitive measure - essentially we don't want them to feel like they are getting crapped on.

See also

• Initial Counseling Statement
• Negative Counseling Statement