Depending on your unit and chain of command, a varying amount of emphasis is put on making NCOER bullet comments “match” the rating. Since the ratings are Needs Improvement, Success, or Excellence, bullet comments are expected to be written so that they coincide with these ratings. The criteria for these ratings is shown in the table below:
| Excellence | Exceeds standards |
| Success | Meets standards |
| Needs Improvement | Doesn’t meet standards |
To make a bullet comment match one of the above ratings, it has to agree, both in the level of achievement and/or in the language used to describe the achievement. Below are examples of bullet comments appropriate for each level of rating:
Writing Bullet Comments with Appropriate Language
In addition to describing performance that corresponds to a specific rating, bullet comments must be written using language appropriate for that rating. Impact statements for Excellence bullets should incorporate words such as exceeded, surpassed, unparalleled, or best. These words or language indicating the highest level of performance reflect an Excellence rating. Even if your bullet comment doesn’t strictly rate as Excellent, you can adjust the language and utilize adjectives suitable for an Excellent rating to suggest its exceptional nature, thereby elevating the level of your NCOER.
Below are examples of the old bullet comment, rewritten in language appropriate for each level of the NCOER bullet comment: Excellence, Success, and Needs Improvement.
Excellence
An Excellence rating is awarded for achievements that exceed requirements and can be represented by words like exceeded, surpassed, bested, pinnacle of achievement, a record, or any language indicating that the accomplishment goes beyond normal expectations. Words like unmatched, unequaled, unrivaled, or peerless also indicate superior performance.
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, surpassing unit goals and reducing unnecessary retransmissions by 50%.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, streamlining procedures, reducing necessary man-hours, and achieving the best rate in the Battalion.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, saving $10K in TDY costs through teleconferencing, setting a record for savings!”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; maintained a 99% operational rate despite 50% of personnel being deployed, an unequaled accomplishment.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; recognized as the best performer in the section, directly contributing to the unit’s escalating success.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; achieved the best on-time delivery rate in 5 years, a peerless performance!”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, providing unmatched support essential to the success of OPERATION ANVIL TREE.”
Note: These are not the only words that can indicate superior, top performance. Use any words that describe the highest level of accomplishment. Other suitable words or phrases may include above average, unprecedented, dominant, exceptional, etc.
Success
A Success rating is given for accomplishments that meet requirements and can be represented by words like met, complied with, answered, or anything indicating that the accomplishment meets normal standards. Words like maintained, ensured, continued, etc., also indicate acceptable performance or meeting standards.
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, solely responsible for the section meeting transmission goals!”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, streamlining procedures and reducing necessary man-hours to comply with standards.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, saving $10K in TDY costs by gathering info through teleconferences to stay within budget.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; maintained a 90% operational rate despite 50% of personnel being deployed.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; performance ensured the platoon’s continued success!”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; motivation and teamwork ensured on-time delivery goals were met for five consecutive years.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, providing essential support for the success of OPERATION ANVIL TREE.”
Needs Improvement
A Needs Improvement rating is given for accomplishments that do not meet established requirements and can be described using language like did not complete all requirements, failed to meet goals, or despite efforts could not perform at the required level. Words like strived, tried, potential, progressed, improved, etc., are also used to indicate substandard performance.
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, maintained progress toward the goal of 200 reports per year.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, with practice and further training, could reduce required completion time.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy, identified a method that may reduce costs if implemented.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 50% accuracy; maintained a 50% operational rate despite 50% of personnel being deployed.”
- “Completed over 120 ops reports with 100% accuracy; has the potential to be a great operator.”
Note: Describing an actual lack of achievement demonstrates the need for improvement.
By applying appropriate language to each level of the NCOER bullet comments, you can effectively convey the performance and rating level in a clear and accurate manner.