ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
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Assessing 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 7 Recommendation. Discuss your recommended resolution to the problem. For example, "Ensure that control measures such as boundaries are well understood in the operations process of the unit. Adjust the standard operating procedure (SOP)." AAR RECORDING 1-36. Importantly, each AAR session should be recorded and published. The audience for the published AAR is the same as the invitation plus one level up. Ensure the AAR is provided to the whole unit. Additionally, provide the AAR to the next higher echelon (for example, company to battalion) so lessons learned can be disseminated throughout the organization to help others avoid the same mistakes. The Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) is the Army's central repository for lessons learned. This center collects, analyzes and rapidly disseminates applicable lessons learned and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) across the force. Units can both access and upload lessons learned to CALL at https://usacac.army.mil/organizations/mccoe/call. Techniques: Another example agenda for each AAR discussion— Review what was supposed to happen. Establish what happened. Determine what was right or wrong with what happened. Determine how to perform the task differently next time. Determine who is responsible for implementing any changes. The last three steps can be done using the issue-discussion-recommendation format. Other considerations— Ask leading and thought-provoking questions that focus on the mission objectives. Ask leaders what mission variables influenced their decisions. For example, ask, "Do you think that was a proper way to establish security?" Have unit members describe what happened in their own words and from their own point of view. They should be free to discuss not only what took place but also why it took place. Discuss “sustains” (positives) as well as “improves” (negatives), which reinforces what was done well and not just what needs improvement. Relate tactical events to subsequent results. Explore alternative courses of action that might have been more effective. For example, ask, “How could you have done it better?” Avoid detailed examination of events not directly related to major training objectives, unless the unit leader wants to go into greater detail. Cut off inappropriate discussions, particularly excuses and doctrinal debates. Encourage discussing solutions to problems that are controversial within the unit. Focus on improving the survivability and lethality of the unit on the next contact. Emphasize there will be no retribution for professional dialogue—even when it paints leadership in a negative light—so that Soldiers and observers will speak honestly and candidly. Technique: Have the unit SOP readily available to assist in understanding and recording the changes the unit needs to implement.