Commander Support Staff (CSS) Block 2 Functions Practice Test

Disciplinary actions progress from the least formal to more serious, so the sequence starts with the mildest written record and escalates from there. A Letter of Counseling documents a minor performance or conduct issue and clearly communicates expectations for improvement without imposing penalties. If the behavior continues or the issue is more serious, a Letter of Admonishment formalizes the concern and outlines specific requirements and potential consequences if not corrected. The most formal among these administrative tools is the Letter of Reprimand, which carries a stronger censure and can have tangible effects on duties, records, or future opportunities. Article 15 is a different path entirely—a non-judicial punishment under the UCMJ used for more serious offenses, not part of the routine escalation of these three tools. So the three tools used most often, in order of increasing severity, are Letter of Counseling, Letter of Admonishment, and Letter of Reprimand.