AARs (After Action Reviews)

In this episode, we cover commonly asked questions about Urban Operations. This topic is sometimes a part of Promotion Board and Soldier of the Month Board MOIs, so we recommend studying this podcast.

These questions come from TC 7-0.1. We recommend reading TC 90-1 at least once during your career, and then using this episode regularly. Listen to it until you feel that you can accurately answer each question, and you will crush this section of your board.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to the Board Questions podcast where you can study for
your career and your board whileyou relax, commute, and do
chores. Today we are going to go over
after Action reviews and how to properly conduct them.
Let's get started. Question one, What are the two
types of after action reviews, formal and informal?

(00:23):
Question 2. What is the difference between a
formal and informal AAR? Informal AA Rs are conducted
internally, take less time and use simple training aids, are
conducted as needed and are conducted on the training site.
Formal AA Rs have external facilitators and evaluators,
take more time, use complex training aids such as unit

(00:45):
products, graphics or combat training centers.
CTC instrumentation are scheduled beforehand at leader
designated events and are conducted at a dedicated
location with available automation tools.
Question three, What are the four phases of a typical and
formal AAR? Phase one, what was supposed to

(01:05):
happen? Phase two, what actually
happened? Phase three, sustains or what
went well and what should we keep doing?
Phase 4. Improves or what should we
change about the training to increase training value?
Question 4. What are the five main things
you need to plan when planning an AAR?

(01:27):
Who facilitates AA Rs? Who observes and evaluates the
training? Who attends ARS?
When and where do AA Rs occur? What training aids slash
resources are required? Question 5.
What is the primary objective ofan AAR?
The primary objective is improving future performance.

(01:50):
Question Six. Name some important rules to
follow during an AAR discussion.When covering AAR rules, the
facilitator emphasizes the importance of participation.
Key rules include participants entering the discussion only
when necessary and pertinent, noone dominating the discussion so
everyone has an opportunity to share their experience.

(02:11):
Slash insights and understandingthat differing thoughts and
observations are permissible andencouraged.
The focus is always on learning and applying what is learned to
improve future performance. Question 7.
What kinds of questions should Iexpect or be ready to give an
answer in an AAR? You should expect and be ready
to answer open-ended and leadingquestions.

(02:34):
These types of questions do not have specific answers and allow
you to reply based on what was significant to you.
They are designed to encourage participation and help the unit
collectively discover insights about performance without
putting individuals on the defensive.
Questions are often directed at more junior personnel to ensure
their perspective is heard. Question 8.

(02:56):
Explain how the things we talk about and learn in an AAR help
improve our training in the future.
AA Rs are the dynamic link between task performance and
execution to standard. The lessons learned and how they
are applied and shared are critical in improving overall
training proficiency. Commanders use AA Rs to identify

(03:17):
training shortfalls and correct them.
If a unit did not perform a taskto standard, immediate
retraining may be necessary or those tasks are integrated into
the units future training plan. Unit Sops may also be revised
based on Arkansas findings. That's it for today's episode.
Thanks for studying with the Board Questions podcast.