Sawmill FTX After Action Review
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Sawmill FTX After Action Review (AAR)
The after action review (AAR) is a uniquely American phenomenon. I have been (military and civilian) to more than fifty countries and while some may do an AAR, none do it with the open honesty of Americans.
Here is my AAR of the Sawmill FTX. It is based on my observations and on the feedback I received during the event and during the “hot wash” afterwards. I have distilled this down to just the most important points.
I have included a few pictures at the bottom. Picture credit goes to John Ketteman from VK Integration Systems (Integrated Sensor Tech for Enhanced Situational Awareness | VK Integrated Systems (vkintsys.com). John provided the TAK capability and took pictures during the event. Credit also goes to The Sawmill Tactical Training Complex. It is a great facility for an event like this.
Keep Doing
Competitors liked the multi-phase format.
The robot was cool.
TAK was cool.
The long-range event was good. For several people, it was their first time shooting at those distances.
The sub-caliber range was fun.
Needs Improvement
We were at schedule capacity with only nine participants. Figure out how to scale the number of participants.
Figure out how to integrate TAK into the event (e.g., deliver mission information electronically) and MAYBE use TAK for land navigation.
Add more long-range shooting and make it scenario based. Ten rounds was not enough.
In general, add more shooting into the event.
The scoring was rough and that is being kind. Simplify and improve the scoring.
Be more clear in the stage briefs on the scoring criteria.
More prescriptive information ahead on time on required magazines, ammunition, and useful equipment (e.g., webbing to fashion a sling to carry the plate) would be good.
Eliminate the call for evacuation or do it at a different location to avoid log-jamming.
Figure out how to provide land-nav training and necessary medical training without requiring a whole separate day.
Land Navigation
I got conflicting feedback on land navigation. One person said it should be longer and more difficult. One person said I should add “ghost points.” A couple people thought it was too difficult. A few people commented the plotting with latitude and longitude, but the comments went both ways.
Request for Input
Please send any additional feedback you have to me at keith@kr007.org
We are committed to improving the FTX.
Summary
I enjoyed the event. It was effectively a proof-of-concept and I very much appreciate the competitors collaborating with us on that. The Sawmill plans to offer the event again in April. It will be up on Practiscore soon.
Pictures
Picture credit to John Ketteman at VK Integrated Systems (Integrated Sensor Tech for Enhanced Situational Awareness - vkintsys.com).
