Page 11 Counseling Process

What Page 11 Counseling Is

Page 11 (NAVMC 118NAVMC 118) is the Administrative Remarks form. The "counseling" is the conversation that accompanies the entry. Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12, leaders use Page 11 for.

• Required acknowledgments
• Documented counseling sessions
• Specific event documentation
• Member elections requiring formal documentation
• Progressive discipline steps

The counseling itself, your conversation with the Marine, is where leadership happens. The Page 11 documents it.

The IRAM 6105 Adverse Entry Language

Per MCO P1070.12KMCO P1070.12K paragraph 4006.2r, the Administrative Separation Counseling (6105) Page 11 entry follows a specific format. MCO P1070.12K 4006.2r

The required entry language.

"(Date). Counseled this date concerning deficiencies; (list deficiencies; provide specific recommendation for corrective action; assistance available). I am advised that failure to take corrective action may result in administrative separation or limitation on further service. I was advised that within 5 working days after acknowledgment of this entry a written rebuttal can be submitted and this rebuttal will be filed on the document side of the SRB. I choose (to) (not to) make a rebuttal."

The five-working-day rebuttal window starts on the date the Marine acknowledges the entry.

Four notes from IRAM paragraph 4006.2r.

1. The Marine's signature acknowledges that counseling occurred, not that the Marine concurs with the content.
2. The Commanding Officer or Unit Commander must physically sign the adverse Page 11 entry.
3. The date is the day the CO actually counsels the Marine, entered by the commander at the time of counseling.
4. Forward a photocopy of the completed Page 11 and any written rebuttal to CMC (MMSB-20) within 30 days.

When the Marine Refuses to Acknowledge

Per IRAM paragraph 4006.2e, if the Marine refuses to acknowledge an adverse Page 11 entry.

• Add the statement "Marine refuses to acknowledge this entry" at the bottom of the entry.
• The Marine forfeits the rebuttal opportunity.
• Make a counter-entry immediately following the counseling entry verifying the Marine was made aware of the adverse or derogatory entry.
• The verification counter-entry is allowed to be signed by direction of the commanding officer.

Rebuttal Statement Standards

Per IRAM paragraph 4006.2r(a), a rebuttal statement complies with these standards.

• Plain white paper, preferably typed.
• Conforms to Article 1122 of Navy Regulations regarding temperate language.
• Limited to pertinent facts concerning the deficiencies in the Page 11 entry.
• Does not question or impugn the motives of another person.
• Not a forum for issues better handled at request mast or through Article 138 UCMJ Complaints of Wrongs.

When the Adverse Entry Is For Misconduct or Drug or Alcohol Issues

Per IRAM paragraph 4006.2d, Page 11 entries concerning misconduct, substandard performance, confirmed illegal drug abuse or possession, and incidents of alcohol abuse must include the rebuttal language even if the entry is not a formal 6105 separation counseling.

The required language for non-6105 adverse entries.

"I was advised that within 5 working days after acknowledgement of this entry a written rebuttal could be submitted and that such a rebuttal will be filed on the document side of the SRB. I choose (to) (not to) make such a statement."

When You Use Page 11

Required Acknowledgments

• Acknowledgment of orders or assignment
• Acknowledgment of pending administrative action
• Acknowledgment of training requirements
• Acknowledgment of medical findings affecting fitness
• Acknowledgment of policy changes affecting member

Documented Counseling

• Initial counseling for new arrivals
• Performance counseling (positive or negative)
• Counseling preceding adverse actions
• Career counseling per applicable schedule
• Pre-NJP counseling

Discipline-Related

• Documentation of NJP results
• Page 11 supporting administrative separation
• Documentation of restricted access or duty
• Documentation of probation status

Specific Command Actions

• Will Not Promote determinations
• Reenlistment recommendations or denials
• Loss of access to classified material
• Loss of weapons qualification

Performance Steps

Step 1 - Identify Need

For specific situations.

• Required by IRAM (initial counseling, etc.)
• Documented incident or pattern
• Member acknowledgment required
• Progressive discipline step

Step 2 - Draft Page 11

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12 format.

• Header with member identification (name, SSN, rank, unit)
• Effective date
• Subject line clearly identifying event
• Body with factual content
• Reference to authority if applicable
• Signature blocks

Step 3 - Schedule Counseling

Plan the session.

• Private setting, not public formation
• Sufficient time (15-30 minutes typically)
• Notify Marine in advance
• Have Page 11 draft ready

Step 4 - Conduct Counseling

The conversation itself.

• Read Page 11 to Marine
• Discuss facts with Marine
• Identify required corrective action
• Listen to Marine's perspective
• Set timeline and expectations
• Answer questions

Step 5 - Obtain Acknowledgment

Member signs to acknowledge.

• Member signs and dates
• Signature acknowledges receipt, not agreement
• Member may add comments
• If Marine refuses to sign, document refusal with witness

Step 6 - Witness and Counseling Officer Sign

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12.

• Witness signs (typically Admin Chief or unit officer)
• Counseling officer signs (you)
• Specific signature block requirements

Step 7 - Forward for OMPF Inclusion

Per MARADMIN 015/20MARADMIN 015/20.

• Original to S-1 for OMPF processing via UD/MIPS
• Copy to Marine
• Copy to unit personnel file
• Verify OMPF posting within 5 business days

Counseling Best Practices

Be Direct

Don't dance around the issue.

• "You were 30 minutes late to formation today"
• Not "We need to talk about your performance"

Be Specific

Cite specific facts.

• Specific dates, times, behaviors
• Specific impact on unit
• Specific corrective action required

Listen

Counseling is two-way.

• Hear member's perspective
• Note any mitigating factors
• Address member's questions
• Document significant member input

Be Constructive

Focus on improvement.

• Specific corrective action
• Specific timeline
• Specific support available
• Follow-up plan

Maintain Respect

Counseling is professional, not personal.

• Respectful tone
• Private setting
• Member's dignity preserved
• Focus on behavior, not character

Common Page 11 Categories

Initial Counseling

For new arrivals.

• Welcome and unit overview
• Specific expectations
• Standard counseling per IRAM
• Member signs acknowledgment

Positive Page 11

For specific accomplishments.

• Specific achievement
• Specific unit impact
• Recognition that may not warrant formal award
• Member acknowledges

Performance Counseling (Negative)

For specific performance issues.

• Specific behavior
• Specific impact
• Specific corrective action
• Specific timeline

Pre-Adverse Action

Before more serious actions.

• Documents counseling efforts
• Member acknowledges
• Establishes record for future actions

Will Not Promote

Per MCO P1400.32MCO P1400.32.

• Specific reason for non-recommendation
• Member acknowledges
• Required for promotion process

Required Training

For required certifications.

• Specific training acknowledged
• Completion documentation
• Member signature

Common Page 11 Mistakes

These weaken the document.

Too General

"Marine has attitude problems"

Should be: "Marine spoke disrespectfully to SgtMaj Smith on 15 October 2026 by stating [specific words]."

Missing Signatures

Required signatures absent.

• Member signature
• Witness signature
• Counseling officer signature

Without all three, document is procedurally weak.

Wrong Subject Line

Vague subject line.

• "Counseling" is too generic
• Should be specific: "Counseling for tardiness"

Not OMPF Routed

Counseling occurs but Page 11 never reaches OMPF.

• Must be routed via UD/MIPS document storage
• Must be filed in OMPF
• Verify within 5 business days

Mixed Subjects

One Page 11 covering multiple issues.

• Use separate Page 11 for each issue
• Cleaner record
• Easier to reference

When Marine Refuses to Sign

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12.

• Document refusal clearly
• Witness signature on refusal
• Page 11 still goes to OMPF
• Refusal does not invalidate document

Brief Marine that signature acknowledges receipt, not agreement. If member still refuses, proceed.

Page 11 vs Other Documentation Tools

Choose the right tool for the situation.

Common Counseling Topics

Tardiness

Specific incidents documented.

• Each incident
• Cumulative pattern
• Required improvement
• Timeline

Weight or Fitness Issues

Specific failures documented.

• Specific test results
• BCP enrollment if applicable
• Specific improvement plan
• Timeline

Performance Issues

Specific deficiencies documented.

• Specific tasks failed
• Specific impact
• Required improvement
• Support available

Substance Issues

Specific procedures.

• Coordinate with SACO
• SJA coordination
• Specific UCMJ implications
• Treatment options

Documentation Required

Per MCO P1070.12MCO P1070.12.

• NAVMC 118NAVMC 118 (Page 11) properly completed
• Member signature
• Witness signature
• Counseling officer signature
• OMPF processing through UD/MIPS

Related Roles

Page 11 counseling connects across roles.

• Marines read and sign Page 11s acknowledging receipt and content.
• Admin at S-1 processes Page 11 entries to OMPF.
• Commanders direct Page 11 entries for specific command actions.

Your counseling builds the documentation foundation that protects the Marine and the unit.