Ever have to do monthly or quarterly counselings and then discover that you forgot something great a young warrior did; or perhaps the specifics of minor infraction that did not justify a counseling? 

1.  Keep a note book by day of the events and make notations of each soldier.

2.  Keep a page in your notebook for each warrior.  At the end of the day write down what the warrior did well, what they could do to improve or things to help them grow professionally.

3. Require your warriors to do the same thing, keep a note book on what they have done well, how they have been recognized by others, or areas they think they need to improve upon.

When it is time to counsel open of your note book; and it is easy to write the counseling; get the warriors input before you write the counseling and you will be surprised at how easy counseling is.  In addition your warriors will know you personally care because your counselings will be specific to them and not the standard you did good counseling.

Best Wishes and thanks for all you do,

Mark Gerecht

CSM Retired