How can learners in a distributed virtual exercise participate in a combined, virtual after action review (AAR)? The current solution is to provide each learner with an instance of the same "tool". This tool might be as simple as a phone hooked to a conference call or as elaborate as distributed groupware that allows sharing of audio and visual channels. The problem with these "uniform" solutions (where each learner uses the same tool) is that they do not allow each learner to have access to an AAR system that is tailored to his or her own point of view and tasking. We suggest the alternative of offering a federating protocol for AAR systems that allows users to participate in a distributed AAR while using visualization and other tools that are tailored to their own role in the experience. Using an open federating protocol (which we developed under the DARWARS program), very different systems can be coordinated during AAR to provide a shared focus of attention and other needed "orchestration" (such as the ability to refer everyone to the same entity or point in time). This federating AAR is especially useful when very different, existing simulation systems are connected to enable large, distributed training events.