ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 22 of 440
Chapter 1 6 ATP 5-0.2-1 07 December 2020 AAR STEPS 1-34. Conducting AARs requires three steps: plan, prepare, and conduct. Plan Establish objectives. Select observers. Review the mission or plan. Identify participants. Plan times or triggers for AARs. Determine AAR site locations. Select training aids (maps, overlays, butcher paper, white boards, terrain models, and recording devices). Prepare Review the applicable operations order (OPORD), execution order (EXORD), directives, and plans. Observe the operation. Organize the AAR site. Collect information from observers and participants as available. Develop the discussion outline. Organize and rehearse. Conduct Restate the mission and events in overview along with a summary of the outcome. Generate discussion. Orient the discussion to the objectives of the AAR (keep the discussion focused and on topic). Seek maximum participation. Summarize key learning points. AAR DISCUSSION FORMAT 1-35. To assist in removing emotion from topics, organize discussions in the following format: Issue. State the issue that you are raising, without blame or praise: for example, "inadequate control measures." Discussion. Discuss in more detail what happened and what the result was. For example, "The OPORD did not specify what the boundaries of the AO were, resulting in subordinate units maneuvering across the boundaries of adjacent units." Technique: A “hot wash” is a type of interim AAR that can happen at any time, but usually follows immediately after any event (training or combat) and provides feedback that the unit can instantly incorporate before continuing its current operation. It is led by a leader who participated in the event. The results of the hot wash can be incorporated in a later, more all encompassing, AAR. A hot wash usually follows the format of reviewing with all personnel involved these four questions: What just happened? What went right? What went wrong? What should we do differently next time?