The After-Action Review

References

FM 25-100, Training the Force, NOV 88

FM 25-101, Battle Focused Training, SEP 90

TC 25-20, A Leader's Guide to After-Action Reviews, SEP 93

http://call.army.mil/

AAR versus AAR

After-Action Review After-Action Report

Review = VerbalReport = WrittenThe report should use information

from the review

What is an AAR?

The AAR is a structured review process that allows training participants to discover for themselves what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done better.

What is an AAR NOT?

Place to determine “blame”Method to determine success or

failureGrandstandSoapboxBitch session

… even though aspects of each will be present in a good AAR

Formal AAR

Have external observers and controllers (OCs)

Take more timeUse complex training aidsAre scheduled beforehandAre conducted where best supported

Informal AAR

Conducted by internal chain of command

Take less timeUse simple training aidsAre conducted when neededAre held at the training site

Aspects of an AAR

Focus on the training objectives (was the mission accomplished?)

Emphasize meeting Army standards (do not determine winners or losers)

Encourage soldiers to discover important lessons from the training event

Allow a large number of soldiers and leaders (including OPFOR) to participate so that lessons learned can be shared

When to Conduct an AAR

After each significant training eventAt the conclusion of a large training

eventAfter each training event

emphasized by the chain of command (may be iterative)

Four Parts of an AAR

1. Review what was supposed to happen (training plan)

2. Establish what happened (to include OPFOR point of view)

3. Determine what was right or wrong with what happened

4. Determine how the task should be done differently next time

The AAR Process

Step 1. Planning

Step 2. Preparing

Step 3. Conducting

Step 4. Following up (using AAR results)

Step 1: Planning

Select and train qualified OCsReview the training and evaluation

plan, ARTEP, MTPs, and (STPs) Identify when AARs will occurDetermine who will attend AARsSelect potential AAR sitesChoose training aidsReview the AAR plan

Step 2: Preparation

Review training objectives, orders, METL, and doctrine

Identify key events OCs are to observeObserve the training and take notesCollect observations from other OCsOrganize observations (identify key

discussion or teaching points) Recon & prepare the selected AAR site

Step 3: Conduct

Seek maximum participation

Maintain focus on training objectives

Constantly review teaching points

Record key points (assign recorder)

Step 4: Follow-Up

Identify tasks requiring retraining

Fix the problem – retrain immediately,

revise standing operating procedures

(SOPs), integrate into tutors training

plans

Use to assist in making commander's

assessment

Actions After an AAR

Commanders update unit METL (T, P, U)

NCOs make notes in leader books to

assess individual and crew performance

Commanders may wish to use an

assessment worksheet to capture

additional information or ideas

Example of a Training Assessment Worksheet

Steps to Conduct an AAR

1. Gather all the players

2. Review events leading to the activity

3. Give a brief statement of the specific activity

3. Summarize the key events

4. Encourage participation

5. Have junior leaders restate portions of their part of the activity

6. Don’t make this a critique or lecture!

Ask why certain actions were taken

Ask how they reacted to certain situations

Ask when actions were initiated

Ask leading & thought-provoking questions

Exchange “war stories” (lessons learned)

“What happened in your own point of view?”

Relate events to subsequent results

Explore alternative courses of actions

Maintain positive focus

Steps to Conduct an AAR (cont’d)

7. Summarize

8. Allow junior leaders to discuss the events with their people in private

9. Follow up on needed actions

Detail: Conduct of AAR

1. Introduction and rules

2. Review of objectives and intent

3. Summary of recent events (what happened)

4. Discussion of optional issues 5. Discussion of force protection (safety) 6. Closing comments (summary)

AAR Techniques

Site selection Near the event Comfortable, but not too comfortable

Training aids Must be appropriate Be judicious – it either helps or hurts

Organize site (horseshoe)

Conclusion

An AAR, when done right, can make a tremendous impact on your unit. The AAR process, as well as its lessons learned, makes a powerful demonstration to soldiers and subordinate leaders about the value the commander places on meeting Army standards. The non-judgmental quality of the AAR allows us to identify and learn from our mistakes, and let junior leaders take initiative without fear of a zero-defect mentality.