Overall role and missions

The Research and Lessons Learned Division (DREX) organises and co-ordinates all the Army's Lessons Learned research and analysis works.

It is responsible for the electronic management of the documentation (GED RETEX).

The DREX also has close and direct links and exchanges with external organisations: Joint Staff, Army Staff, Land Force Command and its subordinate units, the forces deployed on operations outside the national territory, the Army Liaison Officers (LOs) abroad, the studies and prospective divisions of the branch schools (DEP), universities and private study groups, to only name the main partners

Organisation

"Lessons Learned from operations" department

In the framework of the standing and specific directives of the Lessons Learned function, the "Lessons Learned from Operations" department is tasked with the development of Lessons Learned from operations, domestic missions and foreign experiences. It mainly relies on end-of-mission reports, stakeholder seminars and interviews of authorities, as well as on specific missions conducted in-theatre. These works are done together with the forces, the joint structures, the Liaison Officers and the foreign Lessons Learned centres. These synthesis works are gathered in the "Cahiers du RETEX" (Lesson Learned Journal).

"Lessons Learned from Exercises – After Action Review" department

The "Lessons Learned from Exercises – After Action Review (AAR)" department is tasked with the setting up and organisation of the work of the After Action Review teams for the Land Force Command's levels 1, 2 and 3 exercises. It acts in close co-ordination with (retired) general officers heading the analysis teams and provides them with all the available support. It keeps track of all concerned exercises from their design (IPC, MPC, FPC)⁽¹⁾ until the final reports, and it develops the documentation needed by the analysts. It drafts the analysis reports written at the end of exercises. Relying mainly on the After Action Reviews, but also on the works it can receive from other sources, the department finds the lessons to be learned from major exercises conducted by the Land Force Command. These synthesised works are published in the "Cahiers 3A" (AAR Journal).

" Research" department

The Research department conducts research works to support the other departments of the division or the other divisions of the CDEF. It has links with universities, research centres and historic services. It drafts synthesis works gathered in the "Cahiers de la recherche doctrinale" (Doctrinal Research Journal) and the "Fiches de la recherche doctrinale" (Doctrinal Research Cards). To carry out its mission, the department mainly uses trainees from universities or prestigious higher education institutes.

"Exploitation" department

Based on the Lessons Learned and proposition made at various levels of the Lessons Learned chain, the department develops propositions and presents them for validation, working with the Army Staff, the Land Force Command and the central directorates. It induces the decisions, at the proper level, on the exploitation of these propositions and follows the good enforcement of the decided measures, together with the Army Staff and the major commands. The Exploitation department organises the Lessons Learned decision-making cycle (executive committees and steering committee).

The Lessons Learned process

Publications

Publications to be found at : www.cdef.terre.defense.gouv.fr

The DREX has one personnel in charge of the co-ordination of publication works (publishing the “Cahiers”, writing articles for the Doctrine and Héraclès magazines, writing the Lessons Learned page of “Terre Information Magazine”…

The “Cahiers du RETEX” are the synthesis of the Lessons Learned by the French Army in the fields of doctrine, equipment and training, from operations and exercises conducted by the French land forces or by foreign armies,

The “Cahiers de la recherche doctrinale” are historical or thematic studies, aimed at helping the development of the Army’s doctrine and Lessons Learned without trying to replace them. Being the result of research works, their content generally presents individual opinions and analyses.

The “Cahiers de la réflexion doctrinale” are aimed at informing the military thinking based on personal studies, testimonies or specific experiences. Anyone can contribute. The content of these “Cahiers” has no official value, and only commits the authors.

The “Cahiers 3A” are the analysis reports of the exercises, in order to enhance the identification of the lessons to be learned from CPXs. They are formalised and presented like the other publications of the DREX to make the lessons easier to read.

(1) PC: Initial Planning Conference