text: Appendix K
  After Action Reviews
  OVERVIEW
  K-1. An after action review (AAR) is a guided analysis of a Soldier’s or organization’s performance,
  conducted at appropriate times during and at the conclusion of a training event or operation with the objective
  of improving future performance. It includes a facilitator, event participants, and other observers. AARs are
  conducted at every echelon and are essential in correcting observed training deficiencies by providing
  feedback that is immediate, direct, and standards based.
  K-2. AARs are a professional discussion requiring the participation of those trained. AARs enable and
  encourage participants to self-discover what happened then develop a plan for improving task performance.
  AARs focus on the commander’s intent, guidance, training objectives, and task standards. They are not a
  critique, and leaders avoid creating an environment of pointing out failures. The climate of the AAR must
  encourage candid and open discussion of task performance without stifling learning and team building by—
  * Emphasizing meeting the Army standard on tasks rather than judging success or failure.
  * Using leading questions to encourage self-discovery and important lessons.
  * Allowing a large number of Soldiers and leaders—including opposing forces (OPFORs)—to
  participate so more lessons are shared.
  * Assigning leader responsibility to improve task performance.
  K-3. AARs also signal the start of the next planning cycle. Lessons learned from the review of performance
  provide leaders the specifics of what and how to perform better for future training. The AAR process ensures
  participants self-discover what went right, what went wrong, and how to perform to standard next time.
  Leaders capture AAR results to craft better, more effective training plans and execution. AARs also help
  leaders frame the unit’s retraining efforts. To the greatest extent, training is not complete until all training
  objectives are met. When this is not possible, leaders ensure retraining is planned and executed as
  expeditiously as possible.
  K-4. AARs can be either formal or informal. A formal AAR is resource-intensive and involves planning for
  and preparing the AAR site, supporting training aids, and supporting personnel. Informal AARs require far
  less planning and preparation, and they can and should be conducted when unit performance requires it. (See
  the Army Training Network (ATN) at https://atn.army.mil for more on AARs.)
  FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAINING AFTER ACTION REVIEW
  K-5. AARs have the following fundamental characteristics. They—
  * Are conducted during or immediately after each event.
  * Focus on commander’s intent, guidance, training objectives, and task standards.
  * Involve all participants in the discussion.
  * Use open-ended questions.
  * Encourage initiative and innovation.
  * Determine observed strengths and weaknesses.
  * Link performance to subsequent training.