Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

This is going to be a busy summer for Soldiers and families. We began the season with Armed Forces Day May 15, the first event of our Freedom Fiesta month. These events are sponsored in part by the GOA Omar N. Bradley Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, the city and chambers from El Paso, Raytheon and many other generous donors. Sponsoring these events is their way of saying “thank you” to the military in this area. Approximately 400 Soldiers and families attended the El Paso Rumble Indoor Football game Saturday, 3,000 to 4,000 attended the picnic at Kelly Park Sunday and two Soldiers per team participated in the golf tournament at the Coronado Country Club Monday. There are many more events planned and I encourage you all to participate. A full schedule is on page 3 of this issue of The Monitor.

Throughout this summer, there will be a number of changes on post. There will be brigade and battalion changes of command, farewells to the deputy commanding general and the chief of staff, and many other sergeants major and staff members. Summer is a busy rotation time and many of you will be packing up and moving to new assignments. All of you have been valuable members of Team Bliss and we wish you all the best as you depart.

We also expect a huge influx of National Guard Soldiers to train here prior to deployment. They will begin arriving in about two weeks and will require a great deal of support from the mobilization staff, range personnel, medical evaluation and the full range of SRP for overseas movement. However, with all the hard work ahead, I want all of you -- civilians, military personnel and contractors -- to arrange your working schedules within your organization to allow for time off to be with your families and to relax and enjoy the summer.

My staff is currently scheduling meetings with organizations and directorates. The subject of my talks will be the vision, mission, goals and objectives for the installation and the branch. Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Stayton Theater, I will meet with all the civilian employees and military assigned to the Garrison Command. I believe that communication is the key to success and by sharing information, all the Team Bliss members will be working toward a common goal.

Thanks to the 208th Signal Company, who will help to install the satellite dish at the Public Affairs Office next week, all residents on the post with cable access will be able to receive the Pentagon Channel over cable channel 20. Viewers will receive military news, regular programming and briefings from senior leaders.

A question came up about providing buses for Freedom Fiesta events. A bus will be provided for single soldiers leaving from the BOSS Matrix June 5 for the downtown events. Transportation may also be available for other events. We will decide this on a case-by-case basis.

Another new initiative we will kick off next month is the Army Campaign Plan and how Team Bliss will interact and support that plan. There will be briefings, CDs provided and an information dissemination plan that will reach to the lowest level in all organizations. This campaign will define: Who are we? Where did we come from? What do we do? Why are we changing? Where must we grow? What do we contribute? What must we become? And, what won't change?

Memorial Day message from CG

Memorial Day is the traditional Amer-ican holiday com-memorating and honoring our nation’s fallen comrades. This year especially, we honor those American heroes lost during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Remember these individuals for their valor and courage, never forgetting their selfless duty and personal sacrifices in a country so far away. The price of freedom is high and many Americans will pause to honor all patriots who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation.

History tells us that, during this holiday period, many Americans are vulnerable to being severely injured or killed as a result of traffic accidents. What begins with high expectations for the ensuing summer ends in tragedy. It is important that all vehicle operators be well rested before starting out on a long trip. When a person is fatigued, driving skills can become severely impaired, therefore, commanders must discourage long distance driving without sufficient rest and sound trip planning. We must continue to engage in the risk management process for off-duty events since the number one killer of Soldiers is POV accidents.

I have distributed my notes on summer safety and expect all leaders to review and digest the information listed in the enclosure. Additionally, every commander will develop and implement a Summer Safety and Accident Prevention Plan. These plans must address local hazards and weather conditions, as well as POV accident prevention, heat injury prevention, water safety, reduction in high-risk behavior and hazards associated with other summer activities on and off duty. Our accident prevention efforts reflect a strong commitment to the safety and well being of our Soldiers.

The key to prevention is an understanding and execution of standards, motivated leadership, constant awareness, and continual communication between leaders and Soldiers – making successful accomplishment of missions a personal endeavor.

Use good judgment in all recreational activities and have a safe, enjoyable, and accident free holiday period. Keep using Risk Management in all that you do and the results will enhance your enjoyment both at work and home.

Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 27, 2004

	Troop Talk This is going to be a busy summer for Soldiers and families. We began the season with Armed Forces Day May 15, the first event of our Freedom Fiesta month. These events are sponsored in part by the GOA Omar N. Bradley Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, the city and chambers from El Paso, Raytheon and many other generous donors. Sponsoring these events is their way of saying “thank you” to the military in this area. Approximately 400 Soldiers and families attended the El Paso Rumble Indoor Football game Saturday, 3,000 to 4,000 attended the picnic at Kelly Park Sunday and two Soldiers per team participated in the golf tournament at the Coronado Country Club Monday. There are many more events planned and I encourage you all to participate. A full schedule is on page 3 of this issue of The Monitor. Throughout this summer, there will be a number of changes on post. There will be brigade and battalion changes of command, farewells to the deputy commanding general and the chief of staff, and many other sergeants major and staff members. Summer is a busy rotation time and many of you will be packing up and moving to new assignments. All of you have been valuable members of Team Bliss and we wish you all the best as you depart. We also expect a huge influx of National Guard Soldiers to train here prior to deployment. They will begin arriving in about two weeks and will require a great deal of support from the mobilization staff, range personnel, medical evaluation and the full range of SRP for overseas movement. However, with all the hard work ahead, I want all of you -- civilians, military personnel and contractors -- to arrange your working schedules within your organization to allow for time off to be with your families and to relax and enjoy the summer. My staff is currently scheduling meetings with organizations and directorates. The subject of my talks will be the vision, mission, goals and objectives for the installation and the branch. Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Stayton Theater, I will meet with all the civilian employees and military assigned to the Garrison Command. I believe that communication is the key to success and by sharing information, all the Team Bliss members will be working toward a common goal. Thanks to the 208th Signal Company, who will help to install the satellite dish at the Public Affairs Office next week, all residents on the post with cable access will be able to receive the Pentagon Channel over cable channel 20. Viewers will receive military news, regular programming and briefings from senior leaders. A question came up about providing buses for Freedom Fiesta events. A bus will be provided for single soldiers leaving from the BOSS Matrix June 5 for the downtown events. Transportation may also be available for other events. We will decide this on a case-by-case basis. Another new initiative we will kick off next month is the Army Campaign Plan and how Team Bliss will interact and support that plan. There will be briefings, CDs provided and an information dissemination plan that will reach to the lowest level in all organizations. This campaign will define: Who are we? Where did we come from? What do we do? Why are we changing? Where must we grow? What do we contribute? What must we become? And, what won't change? Memorial Day message from CG Memorial Day is the traditional Amer-ican holiday com-memorating and honoring our nation’s fallen comrades. This year especially, we honor those American heroes lost during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Remember these individuals for their valor and courage, never forgetting their selfless duty and personal sacrifices in a country so far away. The price of freedom is high and many Americans will pause to honor all patriots who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation. History tells us that, during this holiday period, many Americans are vulnerable to being severely injured or killed as a result of traffic accidents. What begins with high expectations for the ensuing summer ends in tragedy. It is important that all vehicle operators be well rested before starting out on a long trip. When a person is fatigued, driving skills can become severely impaired, therefore, commanders must discourage long distance driving without sufficient rest and sound trip planning. We must continue to engage in the risk management process for off-duty events since the number one killer of Soldiers is POV accidents. I have distributed my notes on summer safety and expect all leaders to review and digest the information listed in the enclosure. Additionally, every commander will develop and implement a Summer Safety and Accident Prevention Plan. These plans must address local hazards and weather conditions, as well as POV accident prevention, heat injury prevention, water safety, reduction in high-risk behavior and hazards associated with other summer activities on and off duty. Our accident prevention efforts reflect a strong commitment to the safety and well being of our Soldiers. The key to prevention is an understanding and execution of standards, motivated leadership, constant awareness, and continual communication between leaders and Soldiers – making successful accomplishment of missions a personal endeavor. Use good judgment in all recreational activities and have a safe, enjoyable, and accident free holiday period. Keep using Risk Management in all that you do and the results will enhance your enjoyment both at work and home. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General