How serious is an LOR?

A Letter of Reprimand or LOR is the most severe form of an administrative disciplinary action the command can pursue. The following are in order of severity from the least severe to the most serious: Record of Individual Counseling (RIC), Letter of Counseling (LOC), Letter of Admonishment (LOA), and Letter of Reprimand (LOR).

The LOR itself is administrative in nature and is intended to be used to correct substandard behavior, though it can often feel like punishment. Given the possible harmful second and third order effects of receiving an LOR on one’s career, it should not be taken lightly. With an LOR, you have a right to respond. Service members wishing to consider responses that will be most helpful should contact experienced counsel.