Which statement about the purpose of the after-action review (AAR) is accurate?

• A. To document, review, and update procedures after a mission.
• B. To capture lessons learned, assess performance, and update procedures or training.
• C. To assign blame to individuals for mission outcomes.
• D. To archive the mission without changes to procedures.

Answer: (B)

After-action review is a learning-focused debrief that aims to improve future performance. It captures lessons learned, evaluates how the team performed, and translates those insights into concrete changes—updating procedures, checklists, or training. This creates a non-punitive, constructive loop where what happened informs what to do differently next time. It isn’t about blaming individuals, and it isn’t simply archiving the event without making changes. By tying findings directly to updates in procedures or training, the AAR drives real improvements for future missions.