LOCATION - El Paso, TX is a jewel in the desert. Nestled between the rugged Franklin Mountains and the historic Rio Grande, this border community combines the advantages of a major city with the charm of a modern western town. El Paso is a major transportation hub with abundant cultural and entertainment opportunities. El Paso has a low crime rate and an extremely favorable cost-of-living index. Seven in ten El Pasoans are bilingual in English and Spanish.
HISTORY -In November 1848 the War Department ordered the establishment of a post at El Paso Del Norte. The first U.S. troops to arrive consisted of six rifle companies of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. These troops established a military post known simply as "The Post Opposite El Paso." After closing and relocating the post, the Army officially renamed the post Fort Bliss on March 8, 1854, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel William Wallace Smith Bliss, an Army assistant adjutant general during the Mexican War (1876-1848).
MISSION - Team Bliss trains, sustains, mobilizes, and deploys members of the joint team to conduct global, full spectrum operations in support of the national military strategy, while providing for the well-being of the regional military community units of the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 4-1 Cavalry, the 204th MI Battalion, and the 978th Military Police Company.
SPONSORSHIP - After you receive orders, complete the Sponsor Notification Form found under the Army Community Service Relocation Link at the Fort Bliss MWR website. Some soldiers will not be assigned a sponsor until they check in at the Welcome Center/Personnel Processing Center at building 505 on Pershing Road. For more information contact the Welcome Center/Personnel Processing Center at 915-568-3035 or the Relocation Assistance program at 915-568-1132.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - The Inn at Fort Bliss is the official temporary lodging facility for Fort Bliss. Incoming personnel must check availability of the rooms at the Inn prior to taking temporary lodging off post. Advance reservations may be made at 915-565-7777 or 1-800-723-8130.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - The Relocation Readiness Program staff will do their best to help make your move to El Paso go smoothly. We offer newcomers orientations for soldiers and spouses, conversational Spanish classes, citizenship classes, sponsorship classes, and English as a second language classes. We also have a lending closet full of household items including pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils, flatware, cots, and card tables with folding chairs. For more information call the Relocation Readiness Program at 915-568-1132.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION
. To obtain a post vehicle decal go to the Vehicle Registration Office at building 505 on Pershing Road. Ensure that you bring a valid and current drivers license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance and a Texas vehicle safety inspection.
For more information call the Vehicle Registration Office at 915-568-1890.
. Fort Bliss regulations regarding pets can be obtained through Veterinary Services at 915-569-2266.