An After Action Report (AAR) is a written report that documents a unit's actions for historical purposes and provides key observations and lessons learned. It is typically submitted after a training mission, combat operation or other mission.

An after action report documents a unit's actions for historical purposes and provides key observations and lessons learned. It is written after a combat operation, training or other event. Consider using a template like this one to capture important details for your report.

After Action Reports could provide more benefit if they were standardized, available, analyzed, and lessons learned applied from them. This paper examines the current AMC process through the framework of standardization, availability, analysis, and application, all influenced by human behavior, to create a successful After Action Report.

Let’s take a look at examples of after action and operations reports from WWI through Vietnam. After Action Reports of units that engaged in combat during WWI are open to the public and can be viewed in person at the National Archives.

Participants do not excuse inappropriate actions. They examine why actions were taken and what alternatives were available. Terrain models and training aids are used to illustrate events....