Branch: U.S. Army
Location: El Paso, Texas
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Bliss was established in 1849 and is located in El Paso, Texas, spanning the Texas-New Mexico border and encompassing over 1.1 million acres — making it one of the largest military installations in the United States by land area. The installation sits in the Chihuahuan Desert adjacent to the city of El Paso and the international border with Mexico. Fort Bliss has evolved from a frontier cavalry post to a premier air and missile defense training center and one of the Army’s largest combat training installations, hosting major units and joint and multinational training.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide training and readiness support for air and missile defense forces and combined arms maneuver operations; home to the Army’s air and missile defense center of excellence.
• Major Units:
• 1st Armored Division (“Old Ironsides”) — one of the Army’s premier armored divisions
• 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC)
• U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School (ADA School) — Air Defense Artillery Center of Excellence
• 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
• 204th Military Intelligence Battalion
• Biggs Army Airfield
• Tenant Units:
• William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC)
• U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) — located at Fort Bliss
• Joint Multinational Training Command elements
• U.S. Army Recruiting Command elements

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: El Paso, TX — the installation is contiguous with the city; downtown El Paso is approximately 10-15 miles from the main cantonment area
• Nearest Commercial Airport: El Paso International Airport (ELP) — approximately 10-15 miles from the main post area
• Gate Access: Multiple gates serving different areas of the large installation; primary gates include the Robert E. Lee Road Gate and Montana Avenue Gate; 24/7 access for credentialed personnel; visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID and visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center; CAC holders use standard access lanes; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 30,000-35,000
• Family Members: Approximately 40,000-50,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 10,000-15,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 100,000+ (including retirees, contractors, and the broader military community in El Paso)

Key Facilities

• Medical: William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) — a full-service military medical center with inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and specialty care; Level II trauma capability; serves Fort Bliss and the surrounding military community
• Commissary: Yes — multiple commissary locations on post; large, well-stocked stores serving the extensive military population
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large AAFES Main Exchange; multiple shoppettes, food courts, car care, and specialty stores throughout the installation
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers throughout the post; indoor and outdoor pools; Underwood Golf Complex (36 holes); bowling center; outdoor recreation areas; Fort Bliss Outdoor Recreation program offering desert and mountain adventure opportunities
• Schools: Fort Bliss hosts DoDEA schools — Yucca Elementary and Crockett Elementary serve on-post students; secondary students attend Andress High School (El Paso ISD); multiple DoDEA and El Paso ISD schools serve the broader community
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; high demand — wait times can be significant; families should enroll in the Army Child Care Waiting List system immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; School-Age Services programs are also available
• Veterinary Services: Fort Bliss Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, and preventive medicine for eligible beneficiaries’ privately owned animals and military working dogs; appointment required; multiple clinic locations given the large installation
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Bliss — provides legal assistance by appointment; walk-in services for limited matters; contact the JAG office for current hours and location

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Hunt Military Communities — multiple neighborhood areas across the large installation; a wide range of home sizes from 2 to 5+ bedrooms; ongoing neighborhood renovations and new construction
• Average Wait Time: Wait times vary by grade and family size; the large population creates demand but the installation’s size provides significant housing capacity; wait times of weeks to several months are typical
• Off-Post Housing: Northeast El Paso, the Upper Valley, and communities on the New Mexico side (Horizon City, Anthony, Santa Teresa) are popular; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $900-$1,200 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,400-$1,900 for a 3-4 bedroom home; El Paso is generally affordable by national standards
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s S1 or Human Resources office to request a sponsor; the 1st Armored Division and other major commands have active sponsorship programs; newcomers are encouraged to reach out to their unit sponsor prior to arrival
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center; in-processing for Fort Bliss typically takes 3-5 business days; the large installation has a well-established in-processing pipeline
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through William Beaumont Army Medical Center; contact Fort Bliss Army Community Service (ACS) for EFMP Family Support; El Paso offers a reasonable range of special needs services through both military and civilian providers

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: High desert climate with abundant sunshine; summers are hot (average highs of 95-100+ F) with low humidity; winters are mild (average highs in the 50s F) with very little snow; low annual rainfall; significant wind is common in spring
• Cost of Living: Low relative to national average; El Paso consistently ranks as one of the most affordable large cities in the United States; housing, food, and services are all below national averages
• Nearby Attractions:
• Franklin Mountains State Park — adjacent to the post; excellent hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing; one of the largest urban state parks in the U.S.
• Ciudad Juarez, Mexico — across the international border; vibrant cultural and dining experiences (border crossing protocols apply)
• White Sands National Park — approximately 90 miles northeast in New Mexico; stunning gypsum dune landscape
• Spouse Employment: Moderate job market; El Paso has a growing economy but limited high-wage employment outside of government, military, healthcare, and trade sectors; the proximity to major military and federal employers on post provides opportunities; remote and telework positions are increasingly important for military spouses

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/bliss
• Main Installation Phone: (915) 568-2121
• MWR Website: https://blissmwr.com
• ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Fort Bliss — Building 36000; contact (915) 568-6272 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM, home.army.mil/bliss, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Hunt Military Communities, El Paso Independent School District, AAFES, 1st Armored Division