Fort Bliss opens new Soldier Resilience and Readiness Center

Sgt. 1st Class Sergio Cortez, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 7222nd Medical Support Detachment, explains to Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general, and visitors about the medical capabilities provided in the new Soldier Resilience and Readiness Center here to take care of Soldiers and ensure they are medically deployable. Photo by Claudia P. Roberto, DoMaD Public Affairs.

Claudia P. Roberto,
DoMaD Public Affairs:

First Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general Maj. Gen. Dana J. H. Pittard and his wife Lucille joined distinguished leaders of William Beaumont Army Medical Center to help open the newly renovated Soldier Resilience and Readiness Center Aug. 30.

Col. Eric T. Judkins, director of Mobilization and Deployment, made the opening remarks during the SRRC’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Special guest speaker Brig. Gen. Dennis D. Doyle, commander of WBAMC and deputy commanding general for readiness, said it was his “honor to represent Major General Pittard and Team Bliss during this ceremony today, and what a great day it is for our nation’s largest power-projection platform.”

The newly remodeled 77,000-square-foot facility on main post in Bldg. 60 consolidates the administrative and medical sections of the SRRC, making it a “one-stop shop” for unit readiness.

“The deployment of our military men and women requires unit readiness to be at the highest level,” said Doyle. “The ability of the three Army components – active, Reserve and National Guard – to quickly and efficiently mobilize is vital for our national security.

With a combined staff of military and civilians dedicated to taking care of Soldiers, the new facility can process between 500 to 600 Soldiers a day. The staff works long hours, weekends and even holidays to process military personnel deploying, redeploying, completing quarterly readiness, mobilizing and demobilizing. The SRRC not only processes Army but Navy, Air Force and civilian personnel deploying overseas as well.

Funding for the facility was a collaborative effort between 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss Garrison Command, WBAMC, and the Directorate of Mobilization and Deployment. Their combined efforts and commitment ensured completion of the facility for efficient Soldier resilience and readiness processing.

Lt. Col. Murray Kramer, officer in charge of 7222nd Medical Support Detachment, currently operating the medical section of the SRRC, said his Soldiers worked diligent hours and on weekends to get the facility up and running. He said they also worked hard to physically construct the medical exam rooms and paint offices to make the building more comfortable and welcoming.

“Soldiers are not here to ‘practice’ mobilizing and demobilizing,” said Lt. Col. Douglas M. Porter, officer in charge of the SRRC. “They are here to train. It’s our job to make sure they are fit to fight.”

The SRRC ensures Soldiers are administratively and medically prepared for deployment and mobilization. Personnel and finance records are reviewed, legal assistance is available, and dependent and beneficiary information is verified, all to provide security for the Soldier and their family. Initial briefings are designed to be straightforward, concise and informative. Staff members assist Soldiers throughout the process and decrease bottle necks as much as possible by controlling the flow of Soldiers to other sections with lesser wait times. The administrative portion can be completed in as quickly as 30 minutes to two and a half hours per Soldier.

The medical section conducts comprehensive reviews of medical records, hearing and vision exams, medical evaluations, and provides immunizations and behavioral health screening of Soldiers preparing for and returning from deployment. Additionally, the SRRC is the only place at Fort Bliss where Soldiers can update their Post Deployment Health Reassessment, a 90-day re-evaluation after deployment to ensure there are no hidden injuries and address any other medical issues that may have appeared.

For National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, the SRRC strives to assist with the transition from active duty to civilian life by ensuring that each and every Soldier is taken care of. The SRRC provides Veterans Affairs assistance, whose helpful and knowledgeable staff briefs Soldiers on their benefits and rights after mobilization.

The SRRC has a streamlined process designed to get Soldiers in and out in the most efficient and timely manner while ensuring accurate completion to standard. Compared to other mobilization sites where Soldier readiness processing can take up to three days to complete, the Fort Bliss SRRC gets it done in one day.

As Doyle said, “the SRRC is yet another example of the Army and Team Bliss’ commitment to care for Soldiers and families.”