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 AfterAction Reviews, SEP 93
http://call.army.mil/
AAR versus AAR
After-Action Review  After-Action
Report
Review = Verbal
Report = Written
The 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 failure
Grandstand
Soapbox
Bitch session
… even though aspects of each will be
present in a good AAR
Formal AAR
Have external observers and controllers
(OCs)
Take more time
Use complex training aids
Are scheduled beforehand
Are conducted where best supported
Informal AAR
Conducted by internal chain of command
Take less time
Use simple training aids
Are conducted when needed
Are 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 event
At the conclusion of a large training event
After 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 OCs
Review the training and evaluation plan,
ARTEP, MTPs, and (STPs)
Identify when AARs will occur
Determine who will attend AARs
Select potential AAR sites
Choose training aids
Review the AAR plan
Step 2: Preparation
Review training objectives, orders, METL,
and doctrine
Identify key events OCs are to observe
Observe the training and take notes
Collect observations from other OCs
Organize 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 zerodefect mentality.