How long must commands retain copies of evals on all enlisted personnel (E1-E9) following the end of the date report?

The correct answer is that commands must retain copies of evaluations on all enlisted personnel (E1-E9) for a period of 2 years following the end date of the report. This policy ensures that the evaluations are available for reference and accountability purposes, which is critical in maintaining personnel records, assessing performance over time, and providing documentation for future evaluations or recommendations.

Retention for 2 years allows sufficient time for reviewing past performance, ensuring that the evaluations can be referenced if needed for any administrative action, promotions, or other evaluations. By establishing this standard, the command can ensure compliance with established guidelines and support fair personnel management.

In the context of other retention periods, options such as 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years do not align with the specific requirements set forth for the retention of evaluations. Shorter or longer retention periods do not allow for the same level of oversight and accountability that the 2-year guideline provides, missing the balance between active personnel management and the need for historical reference.