FALLS CHURCH, Va –
Army Specialist Timothy Capps never thought he would need a Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU). The combat engineer from Upstate New York learned about the SRU at Fort Carson, Colorado, in December 2022.
“I didn’t even know what an SRU was. I was already stationed on Ft Carson for a couple of years, and someone recommended the SRU after seeing my struggles that were rough,” said Capps.
His struggles were real. Capps suffered from debilitating migraines. Thinking they were just headaches, they got worse. His thoughts were typical.
In a recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, it was noted that the most common cause of recurring, disabling headache pain, migraine, is the most common underlying cause of daily headache pain. Twelve percent of adults suffer daily migraine pain.
“I’ve gotten a lot of help at the SRU. I’m still a work in progress but excited about getting better,” said the 2023 member of Team Army.
Capps, while not being able to return to duty, is finding ways to cope and function in his new normal. Competing at the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge showed him he could adjust and still be successful.
“It’s a real accomplishment to compete for the Army,” said the multi-medalist from this year’s games.
Having opportunities to learn new ways of adapting was significant for Capps and his recovery. He credits the Fort Carson SRU with helping him leave a dark, debilitating place and work toward resiliency.
“It’s really all the different programs that are offered too. I’m a big skier and just switched back to snowboarding. The way the SRU works in these programs to help us with our recovery is amazing.”
The fourteen SRUs around the United States work hard to offer opportunities to Soldiers in recovery. Many opportunities are regionally specific, but the classes are consistent throughout the Army Recovery Care Program.
“The number of events available to Soldiers at the SRU really surprised me,” said Capps who, while an athlete before joining the Army, embraced other recovery opportunities. Classes in art, music, and career and education were important, he says, to keep him busy. He shares his story with others who may need help in the future from an SRU for anything while in the Army.
“Don’t give up. Don’t let downtime in the SRU keep you stuck in your problems where you don’t want to fix anything. If you are getting out, it’s a big transition; the SRU will definitely help.”