After Action Review (AAR)

The mission isn’t over when the last shot is fired — it’s over when the team learns from it.

A debrief is not just a recap. It’s a structured opportunity to reinforce what went well, correct what didn’t, and prepare the unit to be better next time.

🎯 Purpose of the Debrief

Reinforce positive behaviors
Address friction points or mistakes
Surface confusion or breakdowns
Encourage constructive communication
Solidify doctrine and expectations

📋 Basic Debrief Format

Overview from Lead
- What happened, what was expected, what changed
- Highlight major decisions and their results
Team Lead Feedback
- Each element provides a short summary of their experience and performance
Open Floor
- Controlled time for all Warfighters to share feedback, issues, or callouts
Corrections & Praise
- Address key teaching points
- Acknowledge standout performance
Doctrine Reinforcement
- Revisit relevant SOPs or tactical points if confusion emerged
- Suggest drills or focus areas for training

“Praise in public, correct with purpose.”

✅ Best Practices

Keep it focused. Don’t relive the entire op — hit the high-impact points
Avoid blame. Frame everything around the mission, not the individual
Encourage honesty. Even leads make mistakes — set the tone
Respect silence. If a player didn’t speak, ask — but don’t force

🧠 Feedback Style

Use this model for clear, actionable feedback:

What worked: “Team 2 held great spacing under fire.”
What didn’t: “Our route ran too close to open terrain, and we were skylined.”
Why it matters: “This exposed us to crossfire from the orchard.”
How to improve: “Next time, shift route east into the treeline.”

⏱️ Timing the Debrief

Keep it short. 5–10 minutes is ideal
Hold attention. Delay post-op chatter until the debrief ends
Use structure. Don’t go element-by-element unless it’s a short mission

Debriefs are part of the mission — not an optional extra.

⚠️ In-Game Considerations

Use shared voice, text channels, or physical gathering areas
If attention fades quickly, prioritize the top 2–3 lessons
Post written summaries if necessary

Final Tip

Treat every op like a rehearsal for the next one. The debrief is where it becomes more than just gameplay.

“A mission without a debrief is just noise. Turn it into music.”