Fort Bliss

Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, is home to the 1st Armored Division and covers about 1.12 million acres in Texas and New Mexico, with its Main Cantonment Area adjacent to El Paso, according to the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page for Fort Bliss. Its history dates to November 7, 1848, when the War Department instructed the Third Infantry to take up quarters at the pass, per the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview, which also calls housing the most influential factor in El Paso’s lower cost of living. The Reception Company will not approve permissive TDY or house-hunting leave on arrival, the check-in page says, so have your departing unit authorize it before you leave.

Signing in

All incoming Soldiers report to the staff duty desk of the Fort Bliss Reception Company, Building 909C on Pleasonton Road, no later than the report date on their assignment instructions; staff duty is manned 24 hours a day, per the Fort Bliss check-in page. If you arrive at El Paso International Airport, call 915-569-5261 for a pickup by Reception staff duty, or take a ride share and have the charge reimbursed when you settle your travel voucher. You will fill out paperwork, be assigned a barracks room if required and receive a 15-minute briefing on in-processing. If you want PTDY after your report date, request it through your gaining unit.

Housing: Fort Bliss Family Homes and the HSO

Fort Bliss Family Homes has 17 neighborhoods for active-duty families stationed at Fort Bliss, with some homes also open to retirees, DoD civilians and the general public; homes have two, three or four bedrooms (915-564-0795), per the Fort Bliss housing pages. Service members are required to report to the Housing Services Office before making arrangements to rent, lease or buy off-post housing, and are advised not to send housing deposits before contacting the HSO, per the housing page.

Medical care

William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 18511 Highland Medics St., is a 135-bed medical center with a Level III trauma center, 10 operating rooms and 30 primary and specialty clinics; its customer service line is 915-742-2273, per the health care page. On post, dial 911 for emergencies, the installation page says.

Schools

The El Paso Independent School District operates four elementary schools and one middle school on post, per the education page. If you live off post, your address may put you in another district, such as the Socorro Independent School District; ask the School Liaison Office before you choose housing.

Pets

“Due to its location along the border, El Paso is an area with a higher than average incident rate of rabies”, the shipping pets page says, and it recommends that pets receive all required vaccines before or immediately upon arrival. All pets living on post must be registered with the Fort Bliss Veterinary Treatment Facility on arrival, with proof of current rabies vaccination and a microchip; on-post housing may limit the number and breed of pets. Dogs and cats living off post must be registered with El Paso Animal Services.

Legal assistance

The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is at 11685 Sergeant Major Boulevard (915-744-6890), per the legal assistance page.

Before you leave your last post

Have your departing unit approve any PTDY or house-hunting leave, call Reception staff duty about your airport pickup, and see the Housing Services Office before you send any housing deposit.