Combat-Relevant Anesthesia Fellowships Help Sustain the Army's Multidomain Medical Force.

The article focuses on the underutilization and potential benefits of Combat-Relevant Fellowships (CRFs) for Army Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to sustain and enhance their combat and noncombat anesthesia skills. It highlights systemic readiness challenges, including skill degradation due to limited exposure to trauma and critical care cases in peacetime, and emphasizes the need for expanded access to military and civilian CRFs to prepare CRNAs for multidomain operations (MDO) and large-scale combat operations (LSCO). The article also discusses the role of CRNAs across various care levels, the importance of advanced pain management and critical care proficiencies, and the potential for CRNAs to fill gaps in chronic pain management both stateside and downrange. Finally, it advocates for policy and cultural changes to increase fellowship opportunities, improve retention, and enhance the overall readiness and capability of the Army anesthesia community.