Combat Support Medical

The Combat Support Medical (CSM) program is a key line item in the Army's FY 2026 budget, designed to address critical medical capability gaps in support of Large Scale Combat Operations and Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The program's overarching goal is to ensure prolonged care, trauma care, enroute care, treatment, and hospitalization solutions are available across the operational spectrum, from strategic support areas to deep maneuver zones. CSM supports the Army Health System (AHS) and eight of its ten medical functional areas, excluding Medical Command and Control and Combat and Operational Stress Control. The program is managed by the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) and leverages procurement through agencies such as the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA).

Field Medical Equipment (Medical ASIOE) is the largest component under the CSM line, encompassing procurement of diverse medical equipment sets and Army Support Items of Equipment (ASIOE). The FY 2026 request supports modernization and addresses shortages in high-priority units. Equipment procured includes laboratory science devices, ambulatory care sets, dental and veterinary equipment, diagnostic imaging systems, surgical tools, therapy/treatment devices, environmental water systems, and hospital infrastructure. The goal is to ensure operational units have access to advanced medical and surgical capabilities and materiel required for combat, support, and service support roles. This modernization effort is justified by the need to maintain readiness and provide effective medical care in both peacetime and conflict environments.

Medical Treatment focuses on equipment and sets that enable on-site patient care, stabilization, and evacuation. The program's objective is to support return-to-duty for soldiers treated in the field and facilitate the transfer of patients requiring definitive care to hospitals or safe havens. Equipment funded includes vital signs monitors, infusion pumps, fluid warming systems, tourniquets, ultrasounds, and x-ray machines. The FY 2026 budget reflects a transition of funding from this line into Field Medical Equipment, aligning with a broader modernization strategy. The focus is to maximize operational force readiness by enabling rapid treatment and minimizing morbidity and mortality in deployed environments.

Medical Evacuation supports procurement of equipment and sets for ground and air medical evacuation units. The goal is to ensure timely movement of casualties from points of injury to medical treatment facilities, often within hostile operational environments. Equipment includes MEDEVAC Medical Equipment Packages, evacuation sets, and supporting logistics. The program aims to reduce patient transport times and improve survival rates by equipping evacuation platforms with advanced medical technologies. In FY 2026, funds for this line are also consolidated under Field Medical Equipment to streamline procurement and enhance capability integration.

Other medical functional areas supported by CSM include Hospitalization, Dental Services, Preventive Medical Services, Veterinary Services, Medical Laboratory Services, and Medical Logistics. Hospitalization funding covers field hospitals and augmentation modules, including surgical lights, anesthesia machines, oxygen generation systems, and CT scanners. Dental services focus on preventing dental emergencies in operational settings. Preventive medical services aim to reduce disease and non-battle injuries through hygiene, sanitation, and health assessments. Veterinary services ensure food safety, animal medicine, and care for military working dogs. Medical laboratory services provide diagnostic testing capabilities, while medical logistics ensures supply chain operations and maintenance support for medical units.

The CSM program is justified by its alignment with statutory requirements, such as Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, to support active and reserve components in homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. The program's procurement strategy emphasizes modernization, readiness, and total Army authorization growth, with a focus on equipping high-priority units and addressing current shortages. The use of commercial and government off-the-shelf equipment allows for flexible, needs-based procurement, managed through DLA's cost recovery rate structure.