AFTER-ACTION REVIEW (AAR)

1. AFTER-ACTION REVIEW (AAR) 1

2. After-Action Review “We must continue to look critically at our abilities to achieve decisive victory and aim to improve. I believe that one of the single most important innovations of the past 20 years...one of the keys to our edge today...is the After-Action Review. At all levels, the AAR provides us an honest appraisal of our performance and directs our efforts to correct shortcomings.” General Gordon R. Sullivan, CSA ( Ret) 2

3. Terminal Learning Objective Action : Identify the procedures for planning, preparing, and conducting a After Action Review. (AAR) Conditions : In a classroom environment and access to TC 25-20 Standard : The new OC/T will be able to plan,prepare, and conduct a After Action Review 3

4. Definition Objective Purpose Key points Guidelines Formal AAR Informal AAR The four phases of an AAR Summary Agenda 4

5. An AAR is a professional discussion of an event, focused on performance standards, that enables soldiers to discover for themselves What happened, Why it happened and How to sustain strengths and improve on weaknesses. It is a tool leaders and units can use to get maximum benefit from every mission or task. Definition 5

6. The objective of an AAR is to improve individual and collective task performance by providing immediate feedback about how the training or tasks could have been done better. Objective 6

7. Guide the unit towards achieving training objectives Identify lessons learned so they can be applied to subsequent training or task performance Increase confidence in unit leaders Increase proficiency of all participants Purpose 7

8. Involve all participants Are conducted during or immediately after each event Focus on intended training objective • Focus on soldier, leader and unit performance AAR Key Points 8

9. Use open-ended questions Are related to specific standards Determine strengths and weaknesses Link performance to subsequent training AAR Key Points (cont) 9

10. Maintain order and discipline Emphasize the goal is to achieve Army standards Make AARs positive in nature Avoid--- Lecturing Critiquing, criticizing or judging performance Embarrassing soldiers or leaders Comparing units Guidelines 10

11. External OC/Ts Takes more time Complex training aids Scheduled beforehand Conducted when best supported Conducted to gain maximum training benefit Normally for Platoon-level and above Formal 11

12. Informal • May be conducted by either the internal Chain of Command or external OC/Ts • Takes less time • Use simple training aids • Conducted when needed • Held at training site 12

13. Uses standard AAR format Limited resources Normally for soldier (leader), crew, squad and platoon-level training Supports higher-level formal AAR Held prior to higher-level formal AAR Informal (cont) 13

14. Planning Preparation Conduct Follow-up Phases of the AAR 14

15. Action : Identify the steps followed during the After Action Review planning phase Conditions : In a classroom environment and access to TC 25-20 Standard : Successfully describe the steps followed during the planning phase of the AAR Enabling Learning Objective 15

16. Establish objectives for the AAR Select and train qualified OC/Ts Review the training and evaluation plan, Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP), mission training plans (MTPs) and soldier training publications (STPs) Determine when AARs will occur and identify participants Planning 16

17. Planning(cont) • Plan for stop points during exercise • Select potential AAR sites • Select/prepare training aids • Draft/review AAR plan 17

18. AAR Plan Observer 1LT Jones Element 1st PLT Priority Tasks Occupy, prepare and defend a BP Who Attends All When Held 1 hour after change of mission Location Behind 2d squad GH44319218 Special Requirements LTC Smith will provide closing comments 18

19. Action :Identify the steps followed during the After Action Review preparation phase Conditions : In a classroom environment and access to TC 25-20 Standard : Correctly describe the steps followed during the preparation phase of the AAR Enabling Learning Objective 19

20. Review training objectives, orders, METL and doctrine Identify key events OC/Ts are to observe Observe the training and take notes Collect observations from other OC/Ts Begins once mission starts Preparation 20

21. Training/exercise title: Event: Date/time: Location of observation: Observation (player/trainer action): Discussion (tied to task standard if possible): Recommendations (indicate how the unit could have executed the task(s) better or describe training the unit will need to improve future performances): AAR Observation Worksheet Example 21

22. Organize observations (Identify key discussion or teaching points) Gather observations from OPFOR representative Recon and prepare the selected AAR site Conduct rehearsals Preparation (cont) 22

23. SAMPLE AAR SITE SET-UP • Position all players in the AAR Site • Keep sub-unit integrity • Put leaders in the front • OPFOR on the side • Brief unit on how the AAR will be conducted OPFOR LDR OC/T AAR BOARD WATER PT Map Board 4th Plt 3rd Plt 2nd Plt CDR 1SG 1st Plt SAND TABLE TO LANE 23

24. Leading/thought-provoking questions Have unit members describe what happened in their own words Explore alternative courses of action Avoid detailed examination of events not directly related to major training objectives Discussion Techniques 24

25. Action : Identify the steps followed during the conduct of the AAR Conditions : In a classroom environment and access to TC 25-20 Standard : Correctly identify the steps followed during the conduct of the AAR Enabling Learning Objective 25

26. Introduction and AAR rules of engagement (ROE) Review of objectives and intent Training objectives Commander’s mission/intent (what was supposed to happen) OPFOR commander’s mission/intent Relevant doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) Summary of recent events (what happened) Format of the AAR 26

27. Sample AAR ROE • This is a learning event, not a critique • Everyone should participate • Does not grade success or failure • No EXROE discussion • Be “thick-skinned” • No sleeping, eating, dipping or smoking 27

28. Discussion of key issues Chronological order of events Battlefield operating systems (Co level) Key events/themes/issues Plan, Prep and Execute (technique) Format of the AAR (cont) 28

29. Format of the AAR (cont) • Discussion of other issues • Soldier/ leader skills • Tasks to sustain/improve • Fratricide • Others 29

30. Key Leader Assessment Position Sustain Improve CDR 1SG FSO 1st Plt PL 2nd Plt PSG Guide comments to your key issues 30

31. Discussion of force protection/ safety Closing comments Format of the AAR (cont) 31

32. Action : Identify the steps followed during the follow up phase of the After Action Review Conditions :In a classroom environment and access to TC 25-20 Standard : Correctly identify the steps followed during the follow up phase of the AAR Enabling Learning Objective 32

33. Identify tasks requiring retraining Fix the problem - retrain Revise SOPs, integrate into future training plans Use to assist in making assessment Follow-up 33

34. Summary • Definition, objective and purpose • Participation and key points • Types of AARs • The four phases of the AAR • AAR videotape 34

35. BOTTOM LINE We are all trainers and the AAR is the primary training tool. Good AARs get results. Focus your AAR on the major issues. Modify your technique based upon the situation and adjust the format to accomplish the mission. Get the unit to admit their shortcomings and work together to develop a solution. As the OC/T, you are providing feedback on the unit’s performance as well as teaching the unit how to conduct their own AARs. 35