Which form is commonly used to counsel soldiers in NCOPD contexts?

• A. DA Form 4856-1 (Developmental Counseling)
• B. DA Form 2166-8-1
• C. DA Form 31
• D. SF 86

Answer: (A)

In NCOPD, counseling is about guiding a soldier’s growth, setting development goals, and outlining a plan to achieve them. DA Form 4856-1, Developmental Counseling, is built specifically for that purpose. It provides a clear structure for the counselor and Soldier to discuss objectives, identify development needs, and set timelines with follow-up to track progress. That focused, developmental orientation makes this form the standard tool in NCOPD conversations. The other options serve different functions—one is a general NCO counseling form tied to broader evaluation processes, another handles administrative leave, and the last is a security/background form—so they don’t fit the NCOPD developmental counseling context as precisely.