By Reina Vasquez, Army Retirement Services      May 2026

Members of the Chief of Staff of the Army Retired Soldier Council (CSARSC) recently concluded their weeklong annual meeting, April 20-24, 2026, at the Pentagon. The purpose of the council is to represent the interests, concerns, and perspectives of Retired Soldiers, while serving as a collaborative body that helps the Army identify issues, solve problems, and improve programs, policies, communications, and services affecting Retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, families, and the broader military community.

Throughout the week, the council received comprehensive briefings on new initiatives and ongoing support programs from several key organizations, including U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), the Army Enterprise Marketing Office (AEMO), the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG), U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and more. These collaborative discussions focused on streamlining services and implementing strategic improvements to enhance the quality of life for the Total Army.

Effective 2026, the council is partnering with the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) program to assist with addressing issues impacting the retired community. The number one issue for Retired Soldiers remains the availability and access to healthcare. The council recommended continued engagement between the Army and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to ensure Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) care for Retired Soldiers and their families remains a priority.

The council also recommended Retired Soldiers continue to support Army recruiting and retention, specifically targeting the Reserve Component. Considering this, the council proposed that the Army establish and recognize a formal partnership with its Retired Soldiers. Creating an official “Retired Soldier Recruiting Ambassadors” program would achieve this goal.

Some other briefers this week included Maj. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, Deputy Chief of the Army Reserve, briefed council members on the important role the Army Reserve has on Army operations and its role in facilitating continuous transformation. Both Lt. Gen. James Smith, commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Corey Perry, of U. S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), briefed the council on current global initiatives supporting retiree populations across various military installations and facilities. Additionally, Brig. Gen. Carrie Perez, director of Army Personnel Management for the National Guard Bureau (NGB), updated the council on the Army National Guard’s current retiree support, highlighting existing challenges, successful strategies, and upcoming initiatives, all while maintaining worldwide operations.

Presentations throughout the week centered around optimizing support for Army families and Retired Soldiers, while removing barriers to their earned entitlements, as well as highlighting the balance between meeting active operational demands and navigating the resource challenges of an adapting force.

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, a final report was submitted to the Army Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, detailing the week’s issues, recommendations, and proposed next steps.

This year’s CSA Retired Soldier Council report can be viewed on the Soldier for Life website at: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Post-Retirement/CSA-Retired-Soldier-Council.