Administrative Counseling, Admonitions, and Reprimands

Quality Force Tools

Administrative counseling, admonitions, and reprimands are quality force management tools available to:

Supervisors
Commanders
Other persons in authority

…to help maintain established USAF standards and enhance mission accomplishment.

Purpose

These tools are intended to improve, correct, and instruct subordinates who depart from standards of performance, conduct, bearing, and integrity on- or off-duty, and whose actions degrade the individual and unit's mission.

Graduated Pattern

Counseling, admonitions, and reprimands should be used as part of a graduated pattern of discipline in response to repeated departures from standards.

Decision Basis

The decision to issue a letter should be based primarily on:

The nature and seriousness of the incident
The previous disciplinary record of the member

Verbal vs Written

Counseling statements may be either verbal or written, but written corrective actions are more meaningful to the member, and when documented properly, may be used in subsequent proceedings.

Privacy Act Application

Written administrative counseling, admonitions, and reprimands are subject to the rules of access, protection, and disclosure outlined in the Privacy Act of 1974.

Universal Application

The same rules apply to copies kept by supervisors and commanders and those filed in a UIF or PIF.

Preponderance of the Evidence Standard

Preponderance Standard

Preponderance of the evidence is the standard to utilize in administrative action proceedings when evaluating whether the evidence establishes that misconduct occurred.

Definition

Preponderance Definition

A preponderance of the evidence simply means the greater weight of credible evidence.

Failure Consequence

Preponderance Failure

If such proof is lacking, administrative action is susceptible to being found to be legally unsupportable and, as a result, could be set aside.

Letter of Counseling — DAF Form 174

LOC + DAF Form 174

Counseling is used by first line supervisors, first sergeants, and commanders to help Airmen:

Use good judgment
Assume responsibility
Face and solve problems

Counseling Function

Counseling, whether conducted verbally or in writing, helps subordinates develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with maintaining USAF readiness.

Documentation

LOC Documentation

Counseling may be documented on:

DAF Form 174, *Record of Individual Counseling*, OR
Bond paper or letterhead as a letter of counseling

Letter of Admonishment

LOA Definition

An admonishment is used to document an infraction that warrants more severe action than a counseling, but not serious enough to warrant a reprimand.

Officer Filing

LOA Officer Filing

For officer personnel, if the letter of admonishment is NOT filed in the UIF, it must be filed in the individual's PIF.

Letter of Reprimand

LOR Severity

A reprimand is more severe than a letter of counseling and letter of admonishment and indicates a stronger degree of official censure.

Enlisted Filing — Optional

LOR Enlisted Filing

Commanders may elect to file a letter of reprimand in a UIF for enlisted personnel.

Officer Filing — Mandatory

LOR Officer Filing Mandatory

Letters of reprimand are MANDATORY for file in the UIF for officer personnel.

Administrative Counseling, Admonitions, and Reprimands