What is an After Action Review (AAR)?

An After Action Review (AAR) is primarily focused on evaluating performance after an operation. This process is designed to facilitate learning and improvement by analyzing what occurred during the operation, including successes and areas for enhancement. The purpose of an AAR is to gather insights from the experiences of participants, fostering open discussions about the strategies employed and outcomes achieved.

Through AARs, units can assess their effectiveness and operational readiness, ensuring that lessons learned are documented and integrated into future planning and execution. This reflective practice is invaluable for enhancing team cohesion and operational effectiveness.

While there are other valuable practices like providing instructions for future operations or summarizing enemy tactics, those are not the core purpose of an AAR. It is specifically about evaluating one’s own performance to drive continuous improvement, making the understanding of the AAR process critical for effective tactical planning and operational success.