1-8. CONUS SUPPORT BASE (ECHELON V)

a. Echelon V care is generally characterized by definitive care given to all categories of patients. It is provided by CONUS-based Department of Defense (DOD) tri-service hospitals and Department of Veterans Administration (DVA) hospitals. Patients evacuated from the theater of operations who are expected to return within 60 days are admitted to tri-service hospitals to the maximum extent possible. Patients requiring long term care are admitted to Veterans Administration hospitals and civilian hospitals participating in the National Disaster Medical System. During mobilization, the National Disaster Medical System may be activated. Under this system, patients overflowing DOD and DVA hospitals will be cared for in civilian hospitals. Strategic and operational planning and deployment of combat health support system assets also takes place at this level.

b. During peacetime, the bulk of CONUS hospital military personnel are organized into Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) units which, upon mobilization, deploy to the theater of operations. Reserve Component organizations would then maintain the CONUS hospitals at current operational capacities. The

capacities can be expanded through the use of individual mobilization augmentees, draftees, enlistments, and retired recalls. The CONUS peacetime health care structure is designed to provide for wartime readiness and to provide early-on medical assets to the theater of operations.