Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

During a run with the Soldiers from William Beaumont Army Medical Center some questions were asked which I will address in today's Troop Talk.

With all the drawn downs in the Armed Services, what does the future hold for having combat support jobs?
The Army is not drawing down. The Navy and Air Force are cutting their end strength and many of these individuals are choosing to come into the Army. Prior service Army personnel who meet the criteria are also being accepted back into the Army and all three of these groups will go through the Warrior Training Course(WTC) which currently is being conducted at Fort Knox, Ky. and is moving to Fort Bliss later this year.

However, the Army is changing, reflecting the technology available and the threat we face. The future is expansive for certain combat support and combat service support branches (like military police and transportation), while some (like AG) are getting smaller. This is driven by the Army's ongoing transformation. Also, across the force, the Army is removing Soldiers from positions civilians can fill and sending Soldiers to combat units. In these units, there is a high demand for combat support and combat service support personnel. Individual branches are impacted differently by the transformation. If you remain concerned about your particular branch, recommend that you first become familiar with the Army Campaign Plan (available on line at AKO) and then call your branch proponent with specific questions.

What progress is being made for new housing under the partnership with RCI?

The Fort Bliss Community Development Management Plan was briefed on Jan 19 by Colonel Byron Greenwald, Garrison Commander to the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment), Housing and Competitive Sourcing. The CDMP was approved and forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress for further approval. The turn-over of the housing operations to GMH Military Housing here on Fort Bliss is still on schedule for Jul 1, 2005. During the first six years of the Initial Development Period (IDP), 1,659 new homes are scheduled to be built, along with community centers, tot lots, playgrounds, and walking paths. In sum, the partnership is on track and will be fully phased in this summer with regards to Fort Bliss housing. For the six year period that follows all of the approximately 3,000 sets of family housing minus the housing associated with the 801 area, will fall into one of three basic categories as follows: housing to be torn down and replaced by new housing (about 2000 quarters), historic housing that will require significant renovation (about 250 quarters), and the remaining housing is relatively new and will require only minor renovations such as the Hayes housing area.

What are the chances for a 24-hr Day Care service to be offer at the hospital?

We evaluated and determined that a 24 hour day care center is not cost effective. However, we are going to have a day care center located within the Bradley Building Annex with hours to be determined by use when the primary care clinics are open.

What are the plans for expanding the medical facilities on the installation as we get ready to receive an increase of soldiers/personnel?

We are constantly evaluating our future medical needs. We have projected the medical needs of the 3,800 soldiers who will be assigned here beginning in August. There will be future renovations of the Soldier Family Medical Clinic. There are plans to build an additional clinic at Biggs Army Airfield. The existing hospital infrastructure at WBAMC can accommodate inpatient and outpatient care. Also, there is a stable TRICARE network in the city to accommodate patients who cannot be seen at Beaumont.

A Soldier asked me to emphasize the need for soldiers to seek help to counter "post tramatic disorder." I strongly encourage Soldiers who may need help to go to the trained mental health professionals for evaluation and assistance. If necessary, this early intervention will be of great benefit to those dealing with this condition.
I welcome your letters and emails and am always glad to address any concerns or suggestions you may have to improve the well being of soldiers and families.

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



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 27, 2005

	Troop Talk During a run with the Soldiers from William Beaumont Army Medical Center some questions were asked which I will address in today's Troop Talk. With all the drawn downs in the Armed Services, what does the future hold for having combat support jobs? The Army is not drawing down. The Navy and Air Force are cutting their end strength and many of these individuals are choosing to come into the Army. Prior service Army personnel who meet the criteria are also being accepted back into the Army and all three of these groups will go through the Warrior Training Course(WTC) which currently is being conducted at Fort Knox, Ky. and is moving to Fort Bliss later this year. However, the Army is changing, reflecting the technology available and the threat we face. The future is expansive for certain combat support and combat service support branches (like military police and transportation), while some (like AG) are getting smaller. This is driven by the Army's ongoing transformation. Also, across the force, the Army is removing Soldiers from positions civilians can fill and sending Soldiers to combat units. In these units, there is a high demand for combat support and combat service support personnel. Individual branches are impacted differently by the transformation. If you remain concerned about your particular branch, recommend that you first become familiar with the Army Campaign Plan (available on line at AKO) and then call your branch proponent with specific questions. What progress is being made for new housing under the partnership with RCI? The Fort Bliss Community Development Management Plan was briefed on Jan 19 by Colonel Byron Greenwald, Garrison Commander to the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment), Housing and Competitive Sourcing. The CDMP was approved and forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress for further approval. The turn-over of the housing operations to GMH Military Housing here on Fort Bliss is still on schedule for Jul 1, 2005. During the first six years of the Initial Development Period (IDP), 1,659 new homes are scheduled to be built, along with community centers, tot lots, playgrounds, and walking paths. In sum, the partnership is on track and will be fully phased in this summer with regards to Fort Bliss housing. For the six year period that follows all of the approximately 3,000 sets of family housing minus the housing associated with the 801 area, will fall into one of three basic categories as follows: housing to be torn down and replaced by new housing (about 2000 quarters), historic housing that will require significant renovation (about 250 quarters), and the remaining housing is relatively new and will require only minor renovations such as the Hayes housing area. What are the chances for a 24-hr Day Care service to be offer at the hospital? We evaluated and determined that a 24 hour day care center is not cost effective. However, we are going to have a day care center located within the Bradley Building Annex with hours to be determined by use when the primary care clinics are open. What are the plans for expanding the medical facilities on the installation as we get ready to receive an increase of soldiers/personnel? We are constantly evaluating our future medical needs. We have projected the medical needs of the 3,800 soldiers who will be assigned here beginning in August. There will be future renovations of the Soldier Family Medical Clinic. There are plans to build an additional clinic at Biggs Army Airfield. The existing hospital infrastructure at WBAMC can accommodate inpatient and outpatient care. Also, there is a stable TRICARE network in the city to accommodate patients who cannot be seen at Beaumont. A Soldier asked me to emphasize the need for soldiers to seek help to counter "post tramatic disorder." I strongly encourage Soldiers who may need help to go to the trained mental health professionals for evaluation and assistance. If necessary, this early intervention will be of great benefit to those dealing with this condition. I welcome your letters and emails and am always glad to address any concerns or suggestions you may have to improve the well being of soldiers and families. Maj. Gen. Michael A. Vane Fort Bliss Commanding General