About this Unit
The Health Readiness Center of Excellence (HRCOE), located at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in Texas, serves as the U.S. Army’s premier institution for medical training and doctrine development. Originally established as the Army Medical Department Center and School, HRCOE has evolved over decades to meet the changing medical needs of the Army. The center is responsible for training tens of thousands of Army medics, nurses, and healthcare professionals annually, ensuring readiness for both combat and peacetime missions. HRCOE also leads the way in medical innovation, doctrine, and research, supporting Army operations around the globe.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE), previously known as the Health Readiness Center of Excellence (HRCOE), traces its lineage to the Medical Field Service School, established in 1920 at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
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Relocation: In 1946, the school moved to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, which remains its home and is often referred to as the "Home of Army Medicine."
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Largest Medical Training Facility: MEDCoE/HRCOE is the largest military medical training institution in the world, training over 32,000 students annually from all U.S. military branches and allied nations.
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Joint Training: The center provides joint training for Army, Navy, and Air Force medical personnel, emphasizing interoperability in combat and humanitarian missions.
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Historical Firsts: During World War II, the school pioneered battlefield medical training techniques, including the first large-scale use of medevac helicopters in combat.
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Notable Alumni: Many Medal of Honor recipients and distinguished military medical leaders have trained at HRCOE, including the legendary “Doc” Charles Kelly, the first Army medic to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam.
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Curriculum Diversity: Courses range from combat medic training to advanced medical officer leadership, veterinary sciences, dental, and preventive medicine specialties.
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MASCAL Exercises: The HRCOE is known for its realistic Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercises, preparing medics for large-scale emergency scenarios.
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Global Impact: HRCOE-trained personnel have supported every U.S. military operation since World War I, providing care in both combat and humanitarian missions worldwide.
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Symbolic Heritage: The unit’s insignia features the staff of Aesculapius, symbolizing healing, and the motto “To Conserve Fighting Strength,” emphasizing the critical role of military medicine in operational readiness.
