Letter of Counseling Rebuttal
Letters of Counseling, in most cases, are well deserved. If you received a letter of counseling, give some serious consideration to the idea that you may have deserved it before challenging it and going up the chain of command. Is it worth it? An LOC is just a slap on the wrist and normally won't affect your career. However, if you believe you have been the viction of unfair treatment or a misunderstanding, the Air Force provides avenues of redress. And if you received an LOC unfairly, you should rebutt it. It's your right to provide an answer to the charges and if you don't, it will be assumed by anyone with knowledge of the LOC, that is was fairly administered and that you agreed with it. Normally, when you receive a letter of counseling, the form has a line that you mark yes or no as to whether you intend to submit any paperwork in your defense. If you didn't check yes initially, but you changed your mind and now want to submit something, you can. After all, this isn't the USSR. But any paperwork submitted must be submitted in a timely manner, generally within 3 days of receipt of the LOC.
Below is an example of a rebuttal. Use the personal letter format and since it may become part of your formal records, make sure you date and sign it. The overall tone must be civil and considerate. Not only will your supervisor read it but the Commander and his staff and your future supervisors may read it as well. Our goal is to be persuasive. The first paragraph should be positive. Start off with a compliment. “I appreciate the opportunity to answer the charges against me and would like to express my thanks for the consideration shown me by my supervisor and the squadron” or something similar.
In the second paragraph, explain the situation in detail but as clearly and succinctly as possible. No one has time to read two or three type-written pages. Strike a neutral tone and state the facts that led up to the LOC. Then explain why you think the LOC was unfair or why it wasn't warranted.
In the final paragraph, call attention to your positive record. If you've been in the Air Force for four years without receiving any kind of disciplinary action, say so. If you have been in trouble in the past, avoid mentioning that and concentrate on some other positive accomplishment. Mention your involvement in the Honor Guard or Meals On Wheels, etc. Be polite but firm. Mention the IG in a positive way. Don't accuse the person who wrote the LOC of lying and threaten to go to the IG. Just mention the IG in a polite way to let the reader know that you're considering a visit to the IG. Use the last paragraph for closing comments. This will likely be the only time that you'll be invited to state your opinion on this matter so make sure everything you want to say is addressed. Let a friend proofread it to see if it's understandable to a stranger.
Make two copies and keep one for your records. Give the original to the supervisor who gave you the LOC or his representative.
It's your right to go to the Inspector General's office on your base if you feel that you've been unfairly treated. If you intend to visit the IG, you should make every effort to let your supervisor know and give him or her a chance to withdraw the LOC BEFORE you go. Normally, if you indicate in your answer that you're considering going to the IG, the LOC will receive serious review and be withdrawn if it isn't fully supportable.
