In the 8-step training model, what is the first step?

• A. Rehearse
• B. Recon training sites
• C. Plan the training event
• D. Retrain

Answer: (C)

Starting the training process with planning sets the foundation for everything that follows. By outlining the training objectives, identifying who will participate, determining required resources, picking a location, scheduling, and addressing safety and risk considerations, you establish a clear purpose and roadmap. This planning creates the criteria you’ll use to design the activities, choose the site, allocate time, and coordinate logistics, so all later steps fit within a defined framework.

Rehearsing, reconning training sites, and retraining all depend on having this plan in place. Rehearsal makes sense once you know the objectives and sequence; site reconnaissance follows after you know what you’re training and when, to ensure the location supports those goals; retraining addresses gaps or issues flagged by the plan, execution, or after-action review. So initiating with a solid plan is the best starting point because it shapes and enables every subsequent action.