When are informal AARs most commonly conducted?

Informal After Action Reviews (AARs) are commonly conducted during crew and squad-level training because this setting allows for immediate feedback and discussions about performance while events are still fresh in the minds of the participants. These AARs focus on specific tasks, skills, and team dynamics, making them ideal for smaller units or groups where immediate corrections and improvements can be made.

This approach is practical in crew and squad-level training as it emphasizes learning and adaptation in real-time, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and immediate application of lessons learned. Additionally, because these smaller groups often operate in fast-paced, dynamic training scenarios, the informal nature of these AARs encourages open dialogue and collaboration among team members, leading to a more effective learning process.

In contrast, formal unit exercises, annual training sessions, and situations where resources for formal reviews are available generally involve structured and formalized review processes, which do not lend themselves to the immediacy and informality characteristic of crew and squad-level training AARs.