DA Form 485, Development Counseling Form

What Is the DA 4856 form?

DA 4856 is a Developmental Army Counseling form. It was made for the US army department. This form is signed by soldiers who want to attend the counseling session with their leaders. It keeps a record of counseling sessions between soldiers and counselors. This information is not for public use.

What I need the DA 4856 for?

DA 4856 form must be completed by:

• Counselors that make an appointment to meet with soldiers or subordinates for a counseling session;
• Soldiers who want to meet with leaders or counselors for counseling;
• Both sides, in case they want to join the discussion of private information, speak to each other about necessary problems.
• This form does not have a due date. It can be submitted at any time. The form is stored during the period of the counseling session.

Filling Out DA 4856

DA 4856 is simple to fill out the form. You need to specify the following information:

• The personal data about the soldier: name, rank and the organization;
• Information about the counselor: title and name;
• Description of the topics that would be discussed;
• Purpose of calling the counseling;
• The action plan for a soldier who receives the counseling session;
• Summary of the session that includes main points;
• Responsibilities signed by a counselor;
• Next plan of actions for both parties, signed with signatures.

Both parties of this counseling session have to keep a copy of the form to themselves. The form must be saved in PDF format. The information that was discussed by both parties may stay private in case the soldier and counselor agreed on it.

Organizations that work with DA 4856

• This is an official inner form from the US army department.