DD Form 3227: After Action Report Guide & PDF Download – DD Form 3227 is the official Department of Defense form used by Military Departments to document after-action reports for civil-military partnership and training projects. Primarily associated with the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, this form ensures proper oversight, cost accounting, and accountability for training conducted under statutory authorities. For U.S. service members, commanders, and program managers involved in IRT missions, accurate and timely completion of DD Form 3227 is a mandatory requirement.
This guide provides a clear overview of the form’s purpose, legal foundation, structure, and submission process based on official DoD sources. The current edition is dated November 2025.
What Is DD Form 3227?
DD Form 3227, titled “After Action Report for Civil-Military Partnership and Training,” is a standardized report that captures key details of completed civil-military training projects. It is required for all training conducted under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 2012, regardless of whether additional funding was provided by the Secretary of Defense.
The form is managed by the Executive Services Directorate and sponsored by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The official edition is DD FORM 3227, NOV 2025 (updated 11/20/2025).
You can download the current fillable PDF directly from the official DoD Forms website:
Purpose of the After Action Report
According to the form instructions and DoD policy, DD Form 3227 serves to document oversight and cost accounting for training projects. It is not intended to serve as a detailed operational log or comprehensive lessons-learned repository. Those records remain at the program management and project execution levels.
The primary purposes are:
- Provide the Secretary of Defense with a standardized after-action summary of civil-military training activities.
- Validate that the project met valid military training requirements.
- Account for all funds expended (both OSD-provided and Military Department funding).
- Confirm that the training did not result in a significant increase in the cost of training.
- Capture community impact and training value metrics.
Legal Authority and Governing Policy
DD Form 3227 is required under two primary authorities:
- 10 U.S.C. § 2012 – Support and services for eligible organizations and activities outside the Department of Defense. This statute authorizes the Innovative Readiness Training program and mandates oversight and cost accounting.
- DoDI 1100.24 – Innovative Readiness Training (IRT): Support and Eligible Organizations and Activities Outside DoD (May 5, 2020). This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for all IRT support activities.
The form may also be used for civil-military projects conducted under DoDI 3025.17 or other applicable authorities, following the timelines specified in those issuances.
Innovative Readiness Training itself is a joint military training opportunity conducted exclusively within the United States and its territories. It delivers hands-on, mission-essential training while providing incidental benefits (medical care, construction, cybersecurity support, transportation, and other services) to American communities.
When Must DD Form 3227 Be Submitted?
For standard IRT civil-military training projects conducted under 10 U.S.C. § 2012 and DoDI 1100.24, the completed form must be submitted within 45 days of project completion.
Projects conducted under other authorities follow the timelines prescribed by those authorities. Submission is digital only. Completed forms are returned to:
DoDI 1100.24 further requires Service Department Responsible Officials to forward copies of after-action reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Integration. Future IRT funding can be withheld until required reports are received.
How to Complete DD Form 3227 – Section by Section?
The nine-page form is organized into ten main sections plus a continuation block. Below is a practical breakdown of each section based on the official form instructions.
Section I – Project Overview
This section captures basic project identification data:
- Project Fiscal Year (YYYY format)
- Project Title (must match the approved military application)
- Project Number (OSD use only)
- Project Locations (City, State – list all)
- Training Dates (Start and End in YYYYMMDD format)
- Military Service (Department and Component)
Section II – Pre-Training Project Approval
Document the official approval of the project before training began:
- Name, rank, and title of the Military Department Approving Official
- Date of Approval
- Whether additional training funds were provided by the Secretary of Defense (Yes/No)
- Whether the project was carried out in accordance with the approved proposal (Yes/No with explanation if No)
- Whether the project resulted in a significant increase in the cost of training (Yes/No with explanation if Yes)
These questions directly support statutory compliance with the requirement that IRT support must not significantly increase training costs.
Section III – Cost Accounting
Provide a clear funds summary, including:
- Initial OSD Funding Request Amount
- OSD Appropriations Received
- Executed OSD IRT Funding
- Unexecuted OSD IRT Funding
- Executed Military Department Funding
- Total Executed Funding
This section fulfills the cost-accounting mandate under 10 U.S.C. § 2012 and DoDI 1100.24.
Section IV – Training Value
Describe how the training met valid unit or individual training requirements. Identify the readiness system updated (preferably DRRS or SORTS) and the date of update. Quantify results where possible:
- Number of Service Members Trained
- Number of Training Requirements Accomplished
- Number of Training Days
- Number of Patients Seen / Procedures Performed (medical missions)
- Estimated Value of Services (civil engineering, medical, or other)
Section V – Community Impact
Explain how the community partner benefited. Include concrete metrics such as number of homes improved, miles of road repaired, square footage constructed, patients treated, or estimated cost savings to the community. This section demonstrates the dual military-community value of IRT projects.
Section VI – Operations
Provide concise assessments of operational elements, including planning meetings, manning documents, asset deployment/re-deployment, supplies, mission sites, billeting, sustainment, public affairs coverage, community partnership quality, and Distinguished Visitor Day activities. Use Block 18 for additional space if needed.
Section VII – Lessons Learned Contact
List the name, email, and phone number of the individual best positioned to provide further details on the project if required by higher headquarters or auditors.
Section VIII – Commander’s Comments
The project commander or senior responsible official provides an overall assessment of the training value, community partnership, and any recommendations for future missions.
Sections IX and X – Submitting Official and Financial Officer
Both the submitting official (typically the officer responsible for the training) and the financial officer must sign and date the form. Digital signatures are accepted as the form is designed for electronic completion and submission.
Block 18 – Additional Space
Use this continuation block for any required explanations or overflow text from earlier sections (maximum character limits apply in several narrative fields).
Download the Official Form
Always use the current official version hosted by the Washington Headquarters Services Executive Services Directorate:
Download DD Form 3227 – After Action Report for Civil-Military Partnership and Training (PDF)
Additional form information and the full DD Forms catalog are available at the DoD Forms Management website.
Key Takeaways for U.S. Military Personnel
- DD Form 3227 is mandatory for every IRT project conducted under 10 U.S.C. § 2012.
- Submit within 45 days of project completion to [email protected].
- The form focuses on oversight and cost accountability rather than exhaustive operational detail.
- Accurate reporting protects future IRT funding for your Service component.
- The current edition is November 2025 — discard any older versions.
By completing DD Form 3227 thoroughly and on time, Military Departments uphold the dual mission of Innovative Readiness Training: producing mission-ready forces while delivering lasting benefits to American communities across the United States and its territories.