What is the purpose of the "lessons learned" process in the military?

The purpose of the "lessons learned" process in the military is fundamentally to identify successful practices and areas for improvement. This process involves analyzing experiences, both positive and negative, from various operations and training exercises, to extract insights that can enhance future performance. It allows the military to build upon successful tactics, techniques, and procedures while also recognizing shortcomings or failures that need addressing. By developing a systematic approach to capturing these lessons, the military ensures continuous improvement and adaptation, which is critical in maintaining effectiveness in ever-changing operational environments.

Additionally, this process promotes a culture of learning and growth, allowing personnel and units to evolve based on real-world experiences rather than solely relying on theoretical knowledge or past doctrine. This focus on identifying successes and areas that require improvement enables the military to optimize readiness and effectiveness across various missions and conflicts.