When preparing an AAR, what should you plan to account for?

• A. Review training objectives, T&EOs, Orders, and doctrine; Identify Key Events; Observe the training and Take Notes; Collect Observations from all OC/Ts; Organize the AAR (3 techniques); Rehearse
• B. Review training objectives only
• C. Observe the training but do not take notes
• D. Collect Observations from OC/Ts

Answer: (A)

When preparing an AAR, you want a plan that ties the review directly to what was supposed to happen, what actually occurred, and how to improve. The best approach starts by grounding the review in the training objectives, T&EOs, orders, and doctrine. This anchors the discussion to the standards and intent used during the training, so your observations measure what matters and not just general impressions. Next, identify key events—the moments that most influenced performance, decisions, and outcomes—so the AAR can focus on the turning points that shaped results. You also need to observe the training and take notes, capturing concrete details, decisions, actions, and effects rather than relying on memory. Collecting observations from all OC/Ts brings multiple perspectives and helps reduce bias, ensuring a fuller, more accurate picture. Organize the AAR using three techniques to present findings clearly and cover what happened, why it happened, and what to do next, then rehearse to ensure the review is accurate, concise, and ready to deliver. The other options are incomplete because they omit essential elements: focusing only on objectives misses performance against standards; observing without notes leaves gaps; collecting observations from a single source risks bias and incomplete insight.