What is the value of After Action Reviews (AAR) during training exercises?

The value of After Action Reviews (AAR) during training exercises lies significantly in their ability to promote learning and improvement through performance analysis. AARs are structured discussions that occur after an exercise or operation, where participants analyze what happened, why it happened, and how things can be improved in the future. This reflective process allows teams to dissect their actions and decisions, identifying both strengths and weaknesses.

Focusing on the lessons learned encourages a culture of continuous improvement, essential for enhancing individual and collective performance. By examining specific scenarios and outcomes in detail, participants can glean insights that might not have been apparent during the exercise, leading to increased proficiency in future operations. This analytical approach is fundamental in military training, as it enhances readiness and adaptability.

While immediate feedback to commanders and ensuring compliance with regulations are important aspects of military operations, the primary focus of AARs is to foster a learning environment that systematically addresses performance gaps and builds on successes. Additionally, while establishing future training exercises might be a secondary benefit of AARs, the core value remains the promotion of learning and improvement.