How to Conduct an After Action Review AAR

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How to Conduct anAfter Action Review
(AAR)
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What is an AAR?

• A professional discussion of an event that
  enables soldiers to discover for themselves
• WHAT happened
• WHY it happened
• HOW to sustain strengths improve weaknesses
• An opportunity to capture lessons learned

Improves individual and collective performance by
providing immediate feedback
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AAR A Multipurpose Tool

• Guide unit toward achieving training objectives

• Identify lessons learned so they can be applied
  in subsequent training
• Increase confidence in unit leaders
• Increase proficiency of all participants

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Critical Elements of a Successful AAR
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Two types of AAR
VS
Use the AAR that best fits your situation
Source TC 25-20
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Phase 1 PLAN

• Establish objectives
• Select train qualified OCs
• Review materials
• Training evaluation plan
• Army Training Evaluation Program (ARTEP)
• Mission Training Plans (MTPs)
• Soldier Training Publications (STPs)
• Determine timing identify participants
• Plan for stop points during AAR
• Select potential sites
• Select prepare training aids
• Draft review AAR plan

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AAR Plan WorksheetExample
Source TC 25-20, Figure 2.1
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Phase 2 PREPARE

• Review training objectives, orders, METL, and
  doctrine
• Identify key events OCs are to observe
• Observe training take notes
• Collect observations from other OCs
• Organize observations to identify key discussion
  points
• Recon prepare selected AAR site
• Conduct rehearsals

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AAR Observation Worksheet Example
Source TC 25-20, Figure 3.1
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Phase 3 CONDUCT

• Introduction and AAR rules of engagement
• Review of objectives intent
• Training objectives
• Mission what was supposed to happen?)
• Relevant doctrine, tactics, techniques, and
  procedures (TTPs)
• Summary of recent events (what happened?)

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AAR Rules of EngagementExample

• This is a learning event, not a critique
• Everyone should participate
• Does not measure success or failure
• Be thick-skinned
• No sleeping, eating, or smoking

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Phase 3 CONDUCT (continued)

• Discussion of key issues
• Chronological order of events
• Battlefield operating systems
• Key events/ themes/ issues
• Plan, prepare, and execute (technique)
• Discussion of other issues
• Soldier/ Leader skills
• Tasks to sustain/ improve
• Fratricide

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AAR Key Leader AssessmentExample
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Phase 4 FOLLOW-UP