Army Magic Bullet

The Army counseling magic bullet is a statement that should be included on every counseling. The Army magic bullet is really a statement of a Soldier’s rights, similar to when police officer’s read arrestee’s rights to them. However, it is essential to include this on any constructive feedback (“negative counseling”) provided on a DA4856. Without the magic bullet, it is possible a Soldier could “barracks lawyer” his way out of his misconduct or poor performance, although quite unlikely.

Copy and Paste Below:

I am counseling you for the conduct noted above. If this conduct continues UCMJ action or adverse administrative action such as a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR), Bar to Reenlistment, Article 15 or other action may be taken to include action to separate you from the Army. You are advised that separation action may be initiated under the provision of Army Regulation 635-200 if this behavior/conduct continues. If you are involuntarily separated, you could receive an Honorable Discharge, a General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge, or Under Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge. An Honorable Discharge is a separation with honor based on the quality of service, which meets the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty. A General Discharge is a separation under honorable conditions, based on a military record being satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an Honorable Discharge. A discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions is based upon a pattern of behavior of one or more acts or omissions that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of a soldier. If you receive an Honorable Discharge, you will be qualified for most benefits resulting from military service. If you receive a General Discharge, you will be disqualified from service for some period of time and you will be ineligible for some military and VA administered benefits, including the Montgomery GI Bill. If you receive a discharge Under Other Than Honorable Conditions, you will be ineligible for further service and for most benefits, including payments of accrued leave, transitional benefits, the Montgomery GI Bill, and possibly transportation of dependents and household goods to home. You may also face difficulty in obtaining civilian employment as employers have a low regard for General and Under Other Than Honorable conditions discharges. Although there are agencies to which you may apply to have your characterization of service changed, it is unlikely that such application will be successful.