1. Slide 1 After Action Reports Professional Military Education Basic NCO Course

2. Slide 2 After Action Reports A retrospective analysis on critical actions previously undertaken A retrospective analysis on critical actions previously undertaken Part of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Part of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) May be formal or informal May be formal or informal May be part of an After Action Review May be part of an After Action Review

3. Slide 3 DHS Exercise Cycle

4. Slide 4 After Action Reports Evaluates performance Evaluates performance Documents effectiveness and efficiency of actions taken Documents effectiveness and efficiency of actions taken Analyzes critical procedures and policies Analyzes critical procedures and policies Recommends improvements Recommends improvements

5. Slide 5 After Action Reports Formats: One page or several pages One page or several pages Simple written narrative form or memo Simple written narrative form or memo Structured VDF format Structured VDF format Formal HSEEP standardized form Formal HSEEP standardized form

6. Slide 6 After Action Reports

7. Slide 7 After Action Reports

8. Slide 8 After Action Reports VDF Structure: Overview or mission Overview or mission Objective Objective Execution or Synopsis of Events Execution or Synopsis of Events Analysis (what went well and what didn’t) Analysis (what went well and what didn’t) Recommendations Recommendations Contact information Contact information

9. Slide 9 After Action Reports Critical Considerations: Objectivity: actual responses / outcomes Objectivity: actual responses / outcomes Effectiveness of policies and procedures Effectiveness of policies and procedures Areas of strengths to maintain Areas of strengths to maintain Candid areas for improvement Candid areas for improvement Recommendations for improvement Recommendations for improvement

10. Slide 10 After Action Reports Plain Language: Use everyday words rather than jargon Use everyday words rather than jargon Explain ALL abbreviations at first use Explain ALL abbreviations at first use Use present tense verbs with active voice Use present tense verbs with active voice Avoid modifiers (e.g., “totally” unrealistic) Avoid modifiers (e.g., “totally” unrealistic) Avoid doublets (e.g., “null and void”) Avoid doublets (e.g., “null and void”)

11. Slide 11 After Action Reports Assignment: Write AAR for the last drill attended Write AAR for the last drill attended Use MS Office Use MS Office Due by next class Due by next class

12. Slide 12 After Action Reports Additional Resources: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) After Action Report template Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) After Action Report template TC 25-20 A Leader’s Guide to After Action Reviews TC 25-20 A Leader’s Guide to After Action Reviews U.S. Army: Plain Language Writing Tool Kit U.S. Army: Plain Language Writing Tool Kit

13. Slide 13 Questions? After Action Reports