The Power of the After-Action Review (AAR) for Personal Growth: Debriefing Life's "Missions"

In the military, the After-Action Review—or AAR—is a tool we use after every mission. It’s not about blame. It’s not about ego. It’s about learning. What went well? What didn’t? What can we do better next time?

I believe the AAR is just as valuable outside of uniform. Whether you’re in a hospital, a classroom, or a home in Cincinnati, this tool has the power to improve your life. It helps you move forward with clarity, not confusion.

Let me explain how this works. And why I, Jay Johannigman of Cincinnati, think it’s time we all started using it.

A Military Tool with Civilian Value

In my years as a trauma surgeon and military officer, I’ve led teams through complex, high-stakes situations. Combat zones. Emergency rooms. Natural disasters. We always paused afterward to conduct an AAR.

It didn’t matter if everything went right—or wrong. The review happened. Why? Because every mission has lessons. If you miss the lesson, you miss the chance to grow.

Now I’m back home in Cincinnati. And I see people rushing through life. From task to task. Project to project. Without ever asking: “What just happened?” That’s a missed opportunity.

What an AAR Looks Like

An AAR asks three simple questions:

What was supposed to happen?

What actually happened?

What can we learn from the difference?

That’s it. It’s structured, but not stiff. Honest, but not harsh. It’s not about emotion—it’s about facts and improvement.

I use this in my personal life. And I encourage others to do the same.

Applying It to Real Life

Let’s say you hosted a dinner with friends. You were stressed. The food came out late. One guest seemed distant.

Don’t just shrug and move on.

Do an AAR.

What was supposed to happen? A relaxed, joyful evening.

What actually happened? It felt rushed and tense.

Why? Maybe you overcommitted. Maybe you didn’t ask for help. Maybe someone was having a bad day.

From that, you learn. Next time, keep the menu simple. Start earlier. Focus on connection over perfection.

It works in every area: work projects, parenting, dating, exercise routines. I’ve even done AARs after neighborhood walks.

Why Cincinnati Needs This Mindset

Cincinnati is a city that values tradition. We’re proud of our past. But we’re also growing fast—new startups, new industries, new energy.

With growth comes change. And with change comes mistakes. That’s normal.

What matters is what we do next.

We need to reflect. Learn. Adjust.

That’s what makes us stronger—not perfection, but progress.

If more leaders in Cincinnati took the time to ask the right questions, we’d see even better outcomes in business, education, and community service.

The Contrarian Take

Some say reflection is for dreamers. Or that reviewing what went wrong is a waste of time.

I disagree.

Reflection is discipline. AARs are not indulgent—they’re practical. They make you efficient. They save you from repeating avoidable errors.

They help you communicate clearly, because you’ve done the thinking first.

When you lead with honesty and learning, people trust you. That’s true in the operating room. And it’s true in a Cincinnati boardroom.

AARs Don’t Have to Be Complicated

You don’t need a whiteboard or a facilitator. Just a few minutes. A notepad. Or even a quiet walk.

I often do them in the car. After a long shift. After a challenging conversation. I talk through what went well and what could be better.

It’s like cleaning your mental workspace. You leave the clutter behind and walk into tomorrow ready.

AARs Build Resilience

In Cincinnati, we’ve seen floods, ice storms, and hospital surges. We’ve seen local businesses rise and fall.

Every tough moment carries a message.

An AAR helps you hear it.

Over time, you become more flexible. More adaptive. You don’t fear mistakes—you use them.

That’s the kind of resilience I want to help build in this city. And that starts with simple habits.

A Final Word from Jay Johannigman of Cincinnati

You don’t need to be a soldier to use the After-Action Review. You just need to be curious and committed to growth.

Cincinnati is full of hardworking, thoughtful people. I believe that if more of us paused, reflected, and adjusted, we’d see real personal progress—and stronger communities.

The AAR is a quiet tool. But it’s powerful. Use it. Teach it. Share it.

Every mission in life—big or small—deserves a debrief.

What will you learn from yours?