Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

I have had the opportunity to meet with several units during the past two weeks, and the following answers are provided. Other questions will be answered in future issues of The Monitor.

Q: My family and I live in the Lower Logan Heights Housing Area and we have a problem with insects, mainly roaches. I called GMH and requested an exterminator but it took them two weeks to show up and I still have a roach problem. I know several of my neighbors and Soldiers in other housing areas have the same problem. What do I need to do to get this problem taken care of?

A: According to GMH, it generally takes no more than three or four days to respond to a request for pest control. Their contractor, Amigo Pest Control, sprays the interior and exterior of each house to control pests. Unfortunately, some units must receive several treatments before the problem is fully controlled. The resident should call the GMH work order desk to schedule a follow-up treatment if the problem with pests continues.

Q: When are the houses in the Lower Logan Area scheduled to be renovated?

A: Major interior renovations began in September 2005, and because of the extensive amount of work performed renovations are done while the homes are vacant. As of April 28, GMH had completed 11 major renovations in Logan Heights. Additionally, they are installing refrigerated air conditioning in occupied homes and have completed 119 units. This installation will continue until all remaining Logan Heights homes are completed.

Q: The Category IV schedule at the Dental Clinic seems to change at random which makes it extremely difficult for Soldiers to improve their dental readiness. In addition, DENTAC has a policy Soldiers cannot be seen for a routine check-up until he/she is a CAT IV which makes it impossible for units to be proactive in regards to dental readiness. If these problems are a result of an increase in Soldiers at Fort Bliss, what is being done to address this issue now and in the future when the post is going to grow substantially?

A: DENTAC operates two clinics on Fort Bliss. Dental Clinic 3 conducts examinations for Category IV personnel during 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic at the hospital conducts examinations for Category IV personnel during 7 to 8:30 a.m. Both clinics provide these services on a walk-in basis. Daily mission demands and clinic resources may affect waiting times. As a result, DENTAC requests understanding on this issue from its patient population. DENTAC invites and encourages patients to obtain Category IV (annual) examinations up to three months prior to their actual due date. This protocol supports a proactive approach to dental readiness. The Fort Bliss DENTAC will enlarge its infrastructure and staff to meet the increasing demands of a growing military population. According to current plans, DENTAC will experience a 35 percent increase in dental treatment rooms by the end of the 2006 calendar year. DENTAC will see further enhancements in the outlying years. These expansions serve to address the evolving and changing needs of Fort Bliss.

Q: I have noticed some of my new Soldiers who in-process through the Welcome Center are not aware of the post policies regarding off limits establishments and prohibited weapons. Are these policies briefed to Soldiers during in-processing at the Welcome Center?

A: The weapons portion is covered during the Provost Marshall Office brief. The staff at the welcome center will ensure the off-limits list of establishments is briefed on Day 0. Currently when a Soldier signs in he/she is briefed on the policies while in-processing (no drinking, no trips to Juarez, etc.); the Soldier is required to acknowledge the briefing via signature on a written copy of the briefing.

Q: The Post Shuttle Bus currently runs out to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division area but the bus stops are not in the most convenient locations. Can you ask someone to reevaluate the bus route and times based on the significant increase in the amount of Soldiers now living in this area?

A: The Transportation Office is currently coordinating with 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. in identifying shuttle bus stops in the new Longknife Village and will post the stops with signage.

Q. I heard Time Warner is working on getting cable out to Longknife Village. Do you know when they will be finished so we can have access to cable TV and Internet in our barracks?

A. Time-Warner has completed more than 85 percent of the work and expects to have all the connections in place in the next few days.

Q. Traffic in and out of Longknife Village is very congested, particularly during peak hours, due to the fact that there is only one road into the village. Traffic really gets backed up at the four-way stop near the horse stable. I know there are long-range plans to open another gate off Loop 375 but is there anything that can be done in the near term to address the traffic problem?

A. The intersection that was causing the delay had a four way stop sign; we have removed two signs from the roads that have minimal traffic.

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 4, 2006

	Troop Talk I have had the opportunity to meet with several units during the past two weeks, and the following answers are provided. Other questions will be answered in future issues of The Monitor. Q: My family and I live in the Lower Logan Heights Housing Area and we have a problem with insects, mainly roaches. I called GMH and requested an exterminator but it took them two weeks to show up and I still have a roach problem. I know several of my neighbors and Soldiers in other housing areas have the same problem. What do I need to do to get this problem taken care of? A: According to GMH, it generally takes no more than three or four days to respond to a request for pest control. Their contractor, Amigo Pest Control, sprays the interior and exterior of each house to control pests. Unfortunately, some units must receive several treatments before the problem is fully controlled. The resident should call the GMH work order desk to schedule a follow-up treatment if the problem with pests continues. Q: When are the houses in the Lower Logan Area scheduled to be renovated? A: Major interior renovations began in September 2005, and because of the extensive amount of work performed renovations are done while the homes are vacant. As of April 28, GMH had completed 11 major renovations in Logan Heights. Additionally, they are installing refrigerated air conditioning in occupied homes and have completed 119 units. This installation will continue until all remaining Logan Heights homes are completed. Q: The Category IV schedule at the Dental Clinic seems to change at random which makes it extremely difficult for Soldiers to improve their dental readiness. In addition, DENTAC has a policy Soldiers cannot be seen for a routine check-up until he/she is a CAT IV which makes it impossible for units to be proactive in regards to dental readiness. If these problems are a result of an increase in Soldiers at Fort Bliss, what is being done to address this issue now and in the future when the post is going to grow substantially? A: DENTAC operates two clinics on Fort Bliss. Dental Clinic 3 conducts examinations for Category IV personnel during 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic at the hospital conducts examinations for Category IV personnel during 7 to 8:30 a.m. Both clinics provide these services on a walk-in basis. Daily mission demands and clinic resources may affect waiting times. As a result, DENTAC requests understanding on this issue from its patient population. DENTAC invites and encourages patients to obtain Category IV (annual) examinations up to three months prior to their actual due date. This protocol supports a proactive approach to dental readiness. The Fort Bliss DENTAC will enlarge its infrastructure and staff to meet the increasing demands of a growing military population. According to current plans, DENTAC will experience a 35 percent increase in dental treatment rooms by the end of the 2006 calendar year. DENTAC will see further enhancements in the outlying years. These expansions serve to address the evolving and changing needs of Fort Bliss. Q: I have noticed some of my new Soldiers who in-process through the Welcome Center are not aware of the post policies regarding off limits establishments and prohibited weapons. Are these policies briefed to Soldiers during in-processing at the Welcome Center? A: The weapons portion is covered during the Provost Marshall Office brief. The staff at the welcome center will ensure the off-limits list of establishments is briefed on Day 0. Currently when a Soldier signs in he/she is briefed on the policies while in-processing (no drinking, no trips to Juarez, etc.); the Soldier is required to acknowledge the briefing via signature on a written copy of the briefing. Q: The Post Shuttle Bus currently runs out to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division area but the bus stops are not in the most convenient locations. Can you ask someone to reevaluate the bus route and times based on the significant increase in the amount of Soldiers now living in this area? A: The Transportation Office is currently coordinating with 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. in identifying shuttle bus stops in the new Longknife Village and will post the stops with signage. Q. I heard Time Warner is working on getting cable out to Longknife Village. Do you know when they will be finished so we can have access to cable TV and Internet in our barracks? A. Time-Warner has completed more than 85 percent of the work and expects to have all the connections in place in the next few days. Q. Traffic in and out of Longknife Village is very congested, particularly during peak hours, due to the fact that there is only one road into the village. Traffic really gets backed up at the four-way stop near the horse stable. I know there are long-range plans to open another gate off Loop 375 but is there anything that can be done in the near term to address the traffic problem? A. The intersection that was causing the delay had a four way stop sign; we have removed two signs from the roads that have minimal traffic. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General