By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Fort Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) cadre participate in Arbinger training at the SRU headquarters in March 2021. Arbinger training allows the cadre to develop an outward mindset that helps them better interact with Soldiers in recovery. (Courtesy photo)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Fort Carson’s Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) has reason to celebrate as the Surgeon General recently named the unit the best SRU in the Army for 2021.
With a cadre and staff of social workers, nurse case managers, physical therapists and occupational therapists, the Fort Carson SRU outlasted 13 fellow regional SRUs around the nation to capture the award.
In addition, two members of the Fort Carson SRU received Cadre Excellence awards: Brittney Puente, as best management analyst and Annette Brown, as best social service representative.
“This is the first time that Fort Carson has earned the best SRU award in the 14 years it’s been part of the Army Recovery Care Program,” said Lt. Col. Thomas M. Garvey, commander, Fort Carson SRU. “We’re very proud. It means a lot to be recognized.”
Formerly known as the Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Carson’s SRU falls under the Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP) and U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Carson (MEDDAC). Its mission is to enhance the readiness of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson team by providing mission command, primary care and case management for Soldiers in recovery, establish conditions for healing and promote recovering Soldiers’ timely transition, either back to the force or to civilian life.
As a regional unit, Soldiers and staff members also provide recovery care for National Guard and reserve Soldiers in six states: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Nevada.
Garvey and Command Sgt. Maj. Keith V. King, SRU senior enlisted leader, have been leading the unit since January 2021, and since then, have increased the recovering Soldier population at Fort Carson from less than 100 Soldiers to more than 175 (at one time).
The population of Soldiers in recovery had dwindled during the first year of the pandemic and the unit was also focused on the transition from WTB to SRU.
“We average between 150 and 160 recovering Soldiers now, and that’s a 66% jump in our population of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers receiving care and case management,” Garvey said. “I think that set us apart. We’ve spent a lot of time and effort bringing our message to the 4th ID and Fort Carson, letting unit leaders know who we are, what we do and what the criteria for identifying appropriate candidates for the SRU is.”
Garvey pointed to a sustained outreach effort that put himself and King in numerous network scenarios.
“I’ve talked to most of the commanders and first sergeants on post,” he said. “We conduct quarterly information sessions that allows leaders to see what we do, and we brief monthly at the division level.”
King explained that the new command team also began its tenure by focusing on building relationships and partnerships outside of the DOD.
“We’re talking about nonprofits and other organizations that provide opportunities for wounded and ill Soldiers,” he said. “These partnerships really change the whole aspect of the healing process and help Soldiers find their way in life. Maybe they get to go fly fishing for the first time. Maybe they learn to cook from a renowned chef, develop a new interest or obtain career education and job skills.”
SRU unit leaders believe these relationships and partnerships have enhanced the SRU’s ability to care for Soldiers.
Along with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Eastern Colorado Health Care System’s Suicide Prevention Program, the SRU developed a pipeline to conduct a warm handover of its most high-risk Soldiers in recovery to VA suicide prevention specialists. The new pipeline allows providers and behavioral health specialists from both organizations to coordinate a Soldier’s transition before he or she leaves the military.
“That kind of set the groundwork for a much larger DOD/VA partnership called the Joint Incentive Funding (JIF), which focuses on improving behavioral health screening for all service members departing the military, not just those leaving for medical reasons,” Garvey said. “Once approved, the JIF will allow VA behavioral health screeners to participate in the out-processing procedures at all military bases in Colorado Springs.”
As a social service representative, Brown assists Soldiers and Families in the comprehensive recovery planning efforts by facilitating goal setting assistance and preparation. Garvey said her dedication to Soldiers’ successful recovery is a model for every member of the SRU cadre, staff and leadership.
As a program analyst, Puente initiates Soldiers’ weekly risk assessments and ensures the timely completion of mission essential tasks. The SRU commander said she is vital to the unit’s risk mitigation and assessment process.
“We’re proud of our team for how they handled this population increase and how they’ve handled the transition from WTB to SRU and built up the organization’s partnerships, but at the end of the day we won (this award) because of how we are taking care of Soldiers,” Garvey said. “That’s what’s most important.”