Write Your After Action Report

An after action report turns a weekend class into skill that lasts. It answers four questions: what was planned, what happened, why there was a gap, and what to do next time. Write it within 48 hours, while the details are fresh.

The four questions

1. What was planned? Your goals, and what the class promised to teach.
2. What happened? The drills, standards and scores, day by day. Numbers beat adjectives.
3. Why the gap? What worked, what did not, and the reason for each.
4. What next time? Three specific things to practice, and the next class to take.

Copy the template

Copy this template into a notes app or a notebook and fill it in after class.

CLASS AFTER ACTION REPORT

Class:
School:
Instructor(s):
Date(s):
Location and range:
Weather:

GEAR
Firearm:
Holster and belt:
Optic or sights:
Ammunition (brand, weight):
Round count fired:
Gear that worked:
Gear that failed or needs replacing:

1. WHAT WAS PLANNED?
My goals going in:
The class description promised:

2. WHAT HAPPENED?
Day 1:
Day 2:
Drills and standards (with times or scores):

3. WHY THE GAP?
What worked and why:
What did not work and why:

4. WHAT NEXT TIME?
Three things to practice:
1.
2.
3.
Next class to take:

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?

Tips for a useful report

• Record times and scores from a shot timer when you can.
• Note gear failures honestly; they are the most useful part for the next student.
• Credit the instructors fairly, and separate the teaching from the venue and the weather.
• Keep every report together as your own training log.

Read more than 50 reports from real classes on the Course List, and see What Is an After Action Review for the history of the method.