About

Veterans sharing combat experiences during a recorded discussion, part of a veteran non profit initiative supporting veteran mental health and wartime reflection.

The Debrief Project is rooted in the military’s After-Action Review (AAR) process, a proven method of learning through reflection. For those with military experience, AARs are a familiar practice, often involving hours of systematic review after missions. These reviews revisit the mission’s objectives and systematically analyze its phases, identifying three key positive impacts (Three Ups) and three key negative impacts (Three Downs). This structured approach aligns closely with modern approaches to veteran mental health support and wartime experience reflection.

The AAR process allows participants to compare planned outcomes with actual results, fostering a deeper understanding of why certain events unfolded the way they did. It creates space for intentional reflection, helping prevent repeated mistakes while reinforcing successful actions. In the heat of a mission, soldiers are often too focused on immediate tasks to see the bigger picture, making these moments of military service healing invaluable.

While the military excels at teaching debriefing through the use of unbiased observer/controllers (OCs) during training, such structured reflection is often harder to achieve in combat scenarios where immediate tasks take precedence.This challenge has highlighted the need for platforms dedicated to combat experience sharing and mental wellness for veterans.After retiring from the U.S. Army in 2010, Bobby worked as a contractor in Kuwait and Afghanistan. During this time, he felt compelled to write a book about my deployment experiences. The writing process offered a new perspective, and conversations with fellow soldiers revealed profound insights. Capturing the unit’s experiences in writing not only honored their sacrifices and the families but also provided an unexpected sense of relief and healing—a powerful act of combat experience sharing.

The Debrief Project builds on this realization, offering a platform for service members to share their stories and, in doing so:

  • Challenge assumptions, generalizations, and stereotypes  
  • Build bridges with others who share similar experiences
  • Foster a sense of community based on shared understanding
  • Expand perspectives for all participants
  • Help service members process their own experiences, empowering them to share their voice confidently
  • The Debrief Project seeks to honor experiences, promote healing, and create lasting impact.
veterans smiling together, highlighting connection and support after service.

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