What will the NCOER rating chain consist of?

• A. The rated NCO, the rater, the senior rater, and in some instances, a supplementary reviewer.
• B. The rated NCO and the unit commander only
• C. The rated NCO, the platoon sergeant, and the company commander
• D. The NCO and the S-1 clerk

Answer: (A)

The NCOER rating chain includes the person being evaluated, the rater, the senior rater, and, in some cases, a supplementary reviewer. The rated NCO is the subject of the evaluation. The rater is the direct supervisor who observes day-to-day performance and provides the initial assessment and counseling. The senior rater is the next-level supervisor who adds a broader perspective on leadership potential and overall performance. A supplementary reviewer is brought in only in certain situations to provide an additional, independent view to ensure fairness or address specific policy requirements.

This reflects why the other options don’t fit: they omit one of these formal rating roles or include roles (like the platoon sergeant or S-1 clerk) that aren’t designated as rating officials in the NCOER process.