Army to Launch Major Update to Recovery Care Program

WASHINGTON - The Army is preparing to roll out a major update to the Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP), reshaping how the service supports wounded, ill and injured Soldiers in a way leaders say reflects today's medical needs while preserving the promise of high-quality care.

The reform will streamline the footprint of Soldier Recovery Units (SRUs) and introduce a new tier of support known as Definitive Care Units (DCUs). The shift follows a comprehensive review that began in early 2024, when Army Medicine, FORSCOM, the Army Reserve and the National Guard were directed to examine how well the program matched current demand. That review found the SRU structure was built for a much larger and more complex patient population than exists today. Since 2008, the number of Soldiers requiring intensive case management has dropped by more than 90 percent.

What has not changed, officials say, is the Army's responsibility to those who serve.

"Should Soldiers suffer from battle injury, disease or illness, Army Medicine remains with them every step of the way through rehabilitation," said Lt. Gen. Mary K. Izaguirre, the U.S. Army Surgeon General.

Under the new design, five SRUs will remain as the Army's hubs for complex and high-risk medical cases. Five DCUs will stand up alongside major medical centers to manage non-complex cases and provide more localized support. Locations such as Fort Belvoir, Schofield Barracks and Fort Bliss will transition into DCUs, while other SRUs that are now underused will inactivate as part of the restructuring.

A forthcoming Army directive establishes new standardized entry criteria. Soldiers will be assigned to SRUs only if they have a verified complex condition or are assessed as high risk. All other cases will be managed in DCUs or through Remote Medical Management, depending on what best supports their medical needs and circumstances.

Leaders stress that the changes are not driven by budget reductions. Instead, they are intended to ensure that Soldiers receive the right level of care at the right time without creating unnecessary administrative hurdles. "Nothing is more important to Army leaders than taking care of our people and ensuring their health and well-being," officials said in program documents.

Soldiers currently assigned to SRUs will continue their care without interruption, if they meet the new criteria. Soldiers currently assigned to the SRU, who no longer require complex case management will transition to a DCU, Remote Medical Management, or direct return to their unit.

The transition is expected to unfold over time, with full implementation planned by fiscal year 2027. Army leaders say the goal is to maintain world-class recovery support while modernizing the system to match the needs of today's force.