Stories

Fort Bragg SRU Dinner Group Is a ‘Miracle’ for Recovering Soldiers
March 24, 2022 — For retired Staff Sgt. Jacob Templeton, a simple dinner group at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina was "a miracle” when it came to his recovery... MORE

Soldiers at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina have been having weekly dinner groups as part of their recovery.

15 Team Army Athletes to Compete in Invictus Games
March 23, 2022 — After a two-year hiatus, the much-anticipated Invictus Games are officially set to happen in The Hague, The Netherlands from April 16-22, 2022. This year, 15 Team Army Athletes will compete, and the competition is hotter than ever... MORE

U.S. Army veteran Michelle Sanchez competes in the Archery event for the Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss Texas, April 4, 2017. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active duty Soldiers and veterans are competing in eight different sports 2-6 April for the opportunity to represent Team Army at the 2017 Department of Defense Warrior Games.

Staff Sgt. Sokolowski Jumps From SRU Into the Cryptologic World
February 25, 2022 — "Russian cryptologic linguist" doesn’t sound like your typical profession. But it's one that Staff Sgt. John Sokolowski has dived headfirst into, thanks in part to some help he's gotten from the Walter Reed Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Bethesda, Maryland... MORE

Staff Sgt. John Sokolowski is taking on a career as a Russian cryptologic linguist thanks in part to help he's gotten from the Walter Reed Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Bethesda, Maryland.

Pfc. Buckler Charts Out Course for New Career After Military with SRU’s Help
February 24, 2022 — To say life has changed significantly for Pfc. Dylan Buckler would be an understatement. Due to a medical condition, he had to let go of his dreams of service in special operations — but thanks in part to the staff at the Fort Drum Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in New York, he has a new mission... MORE

Pfc. Dylan Buckler (left), a recovering Soldier at the Fort Drum Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in New York, participates in the STEP (Semiconductor Training & Experience Program) in January 2022.

Staff Sgt. Dorian Rhoten: No More ‘Broken Soldiers Without a Purpose’ Thanks to ARCP
February 19, 2022 — It’s been about 15 years since retired Staff Sgt. Dorian Rhoten, Jr., suffered injuries to his back and knees from an improvised explosive device that landed him in what is now the Fort Hood Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Texas... MORE

Retired Staff Sgt. Dorian Rhoten throws a shot put at the Air Force Academy in May 2018.

Soldiers at Fort Bragg SRU Overcome Limitations on the Golf Course
February 18, 2022 — Staff at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina are enhancing recovering Soldiers’ physical, mental, social and emotional well-being through an adaptive golf program... MORE

Recovering Soldiers at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina participate in an adaptive golf program that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. (Photo courtesy of Brock White

SRU Gardening Program Helps Soldiers Connect with the Earth, Themselves
February 17, 2022 — There's just something about putting a seed into the ground and watching it grow. It has a way of connecting you with the Earth in a deep sense, and Soldiers at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina have found it to be a unique and useful form of therapy... MORE

Recovering Soldiers at the Fort Bragg Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in North Carolina have tapped into gardening as a form of therapy thanks to an ongoing program.

Fort Hood SRU Aquatics Program Gives Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Mancill a New Lease on Life
February 15, 2022 — The phrase "off the deep end" typically describes someone who is without hope. But for Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Mancill, stepping into the deep end of the pool at the Fort Hood Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Texas was a moment of pure magic... MORE

A piece of artwork painted by Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Mancill, who has been deeply involved in painting and other activities since taking an aquatics program to recovery from her injuries at the Fort Hood Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Texas.

JBLM SRU Drives Soldiers to Push Themselves with Competition Scoreboard
February 14, 2022 — No matter how far along someone gets in life, they can always reach for new goals. Task Force Phoenix at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Tacoma, Washington created a new scoreboard that is helping spur competition among Soldiers and boost interest for the upcoming Army Trials... MORE

Soldiers work out at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Tacoma, Washington, where a new scoreboard is helping spur competition.

Schofield Barracks SRU Sets Sports Clinic Challenges
February 11, 2022 — More and more Soldiers are learning the positive benefits of adaptive sports at the Schofield Barracks Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Hawaii thanks to a new sports clinic. The clinic allows recovering Soldiers to prepare for Army Trials in sports like wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. The clinic offers Soldiers and Marines a chance to sample these two sports, run practice drills and participate in smaller games for some friendly competition. Soldiers begin the program by first learning how to strap themselves into sports chairs, as well as how to maneuver, chase and pick up the ball. Afterward, the staff introduces them to layups, passing and shooting the ball comfortably in a seated position. “For soldiers that enjoy playing basketball, but have not been able to due to injuries, it provides a similar outlet for getting into a team sport,” said Carol Hickman, adaptive reconditioning support specialist at the SRU. “It is also different enough from basketball to offer a chance to master a new skill.” The speed at which the Soldiers adjusted to the game surprised her, she said. “We did a few drills at the beginning that everyone got into, and then their enthusiasm for the competition was high once we started playing,” she said. “You could see people's barriers come down as they just got into enjoying some friendly competition.” Some of these Soldiers never thought they would be able to get into a team sport again. However, through the adaptive program, they are seeing that there are different fun and exciting ways to compete. “It is a very challenging game,” said Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Retuyan. “You need hand, mind and team coordination. Just maneuvering a wheelchair alone is a challenge within itself. It may seem hard looking at it from the sidelines, but once you sit in the chair and have a go, you will have a great time.” Schofield Barracks SRU has a wheelchair basketball game scheduled with the Wounded Warrior Battalion West Marines on Feb. 25 at Camp Smith in Honolulu. For Soldiers who aren’t interested in those sports, the SRU has all sorts of other activities planned like bowling, archery and cycling. “Activities like this promote many positive health outcomes,” said Hickman. “This includes increased physical activity, positive social outlets where Soldiers can bond with others…and can provide Soldiers a chance to build up their confidence through learning and mastering a new skill.” Since a Soldier spends so much of their time at an SRU going to medical appointments, it’s important for them to have the opportunity to participate in fun team sports, she added. “If they find they really enjoy it, they may seek it out more, and [they form] new hobbies and interests,” she said. The Army Warrior Care and Transition Program is now the Army Recovery Care Program. Although the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to provide quality complex case management to the Army's wounded, ill and injured Soldiers. Visit our website at https://www.arcp.army.mil... MORE

Recovering Soldiers participate in a wheelchair basketball session at the Schofield Barracks Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) in Hawaii