What should be focused on during an AAR discussion?

During an After Action Review (AAR) discussion, the primary focus is on participants' experiences and learning outcomes. This aspect is critical as it allows individuals to reflect on what occurred during a training exercise or operation, providing insights into their personal and team performance. This reflection is essential for identifying strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately fostering growth and development.

Capturing the facilitators' and participants' perspectives on the actions taken, decisions made, and the effectiveness of teamwork enriches the learning experience. By concentrating on these experiences, the AAR facilitates a deeper understanding of how to apply lessons learned to future scenarios.

While future training schedules, peer evaluation, and equipment functioning can be interrelated topics that arise during an AAR, they do not directly address the core intent of the AAR, which is to extract learning points and enhance overall performance based on lived experiences. Such participative reflection supports the Army's goals for continuous improvement and leader development.