Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

During an early morning run with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, I received the following questions from Soldiers:

What is the future of the Lower Beaumont area? Are they going to renovate it or destroy it?
Some of the buildings will be demolished and others renovated. The Army is close to granting an enhanced use lease agreement with a private developer to demolish and renovate buildings in the area. However, we will maintain the requisite historic nature of the area.

What is the possibility of a pay raise due to the cost of living incurred from rising fuel prices?
I have not heard of a pay raise being negotiated due to rising fuel costs. All pay raises that occur are by Congressional approval, and they factor in the cost of living when those decisions are made. As most of you know, no one predicted the dramatic increase in fuel costs. On post, we are revamping our energy policy to try to reduce energy expenditures. Personally, I recommend we all look at car-pooling opportunities in the short run.

When are we going to see a relief in budget constraints?
We have just received our final budget guidance from higher headquarters. Funding available for base operations for the rest of this fiscal year will continue to require belt tightening. We do not expect to retract cuts already made to certain contracts and other services, as available funding is still not enough to balance all required missions in the garrison. Impacts already felt in services such as custodial, grounds and logistics will continue to be necessary, while further reductions in personnel costs will most likely be necessary as well, i.e. reductions to non-Global War on Terror term positions. Based on projections into next year, it is not anticipated that real relief will be received any time soon. We are at war. GWOT is the priority, and installation services will continue to be managed in the most cost-efficient manner possible, without a major impact on quality of life. However, there will be pain felt in many areas. Bottom line – the budget constraints will continue for the foreseeable future.

What is being built near the entrance to Biggs Army Airfield that is causing the reduction of entrance lanes?
The work currently underway is part of the overall inner loop project, which requires lane construction near Biggs, and will change the physical location of the access point. The construction will continue well into the next year. Therefore, I recommend using the alternate routes to Biggs as we work with the Texas Department of Transportation and other local agencies to upgrade road conditions around that area and posture ourselves for the increased Soldier population of Biggs.

What is the timeline for 6th Bde. to move to Fort Sill?
The current scheduled start date is July 2009. It is anticipated the move will be completed by spring 2010.
Are there any plans for increased Morale Welfare and Recreation facilities based on the increase of troops and the arrival of the 1st Armored Division? Many new MWR facilities are planned for the next five years to include youth and childcare centers and either new or expanded recreational facilities. Considerable planning has been made to ensure our facilities grow at the same rate as our population. However, we are not waiting for the population to grow. Sunset Golf Course is currently under renovation to include new greens/tees and cart paths. The Bowling Center lounge and snack bar will undergo a complete renovation to include MWR food theme concepts, state-of–the-art audiovisual system, new arcade game room and bar décor package. The Centennial scramble kitchen will also undergo a complete renovation and will feature a food pavilion with several dining options. Also planned is an expanded ITR with a satellite site at the post exchange and expanded partnership with the El Paso Convention and Visitors bureau.

The Monitor also received a question from a motorcycle rider who is frequently stopped entering the installation regarding proper attire, headgear and clothing for riding motorcycles on post. What is the policy? The post policy and Army Regulation 385-55 outline the requirements, which are: motorcycle riders must have a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, proof of insurance, registration and a Fort Bliss recertification card. Other safety requirements include: a helmet, which must be Department of Transportation approved, properly fastened under the chin and worn on and off post; proper eye protection, which means the glasses must give protection from flying debris, unless worn under a full-face helmet that has the face shield down; full-fingered gloves; long-sleeve shirt or jacket; high-visibility garments, such as yellow or orange, and retro-reflective garment for night, which can be worn in the daytime as well. Reflective belts used for physical training can be worn as long as it can be seen, not around the waist. The road guard vest, the black leather (Harley) vest with silver reflective stripes front and back also meets the intent of the post policy. The Army long sleeve PT uniform, which has a reflective design on the back does not meet the standard required and cannot be worn as a retro-reflective garment.

Remaining questions from 6th Brigade will be answered in next week’s paper.

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



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 13, 2006

	Troop Talk During an early morning run with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, I received the following questions from Soldiers: What is the future of the Lower Beaumont area? Are they going to renovate it or destroy it? Some of the buildings will be demolished and others renovated. The Army is close to granting an enhanced use lease agreement with a private developer to demolish and renovate buildings in the area. However, we will maintain the requisite historic nature of the area. What is the possibility of a pay raise due to the cost of living incurred from rising fuel prices? I have not heard of a pay raise being negotiated due to rising fuel costs. All pay raises that occur are by Congressional approval, and they factor in the cost of living when those decisions are made. As most of you know, no one predicted the dramatic increase in fuel costs. On post, we are revamping our energy policy to try to reduce energy expenditures. Personally, I recommend we all look at car-pooling opportunities in the short run. When are we going to see a relief in budget constraints? We have just received our final budget guidance from higher headquarters. Funding available for base operations for the rest of this fiscal year will continue to require belt tightening. We do not expect to retract cuts already made to certain contracts and other services, as available funding is still not enough to balance all required missions in the garrison. Impacts already felt in services such as custodial, grounds and logistics will continue to be necessary, while further reductions in personnel costs will most likely be necessary as well, i.e. reductions to non-Global War on Terror term positions. Based on projections into next year, it is not anticipated that real relief will be received any time soon. We are at war. GWOT is the priority, and installation services will continue to be managed in the most cost-efficient manner possible, without a major impact on quality of life. However, there will be pain felt in many areas. Bottom line – the budget constraints will continue for the foreseeable future. What is being built near the entrance to Biggs Army Airfield that is causing the reduction of entrance lanes? The work currently underway is part of the overall inner loop project, which requires lane construction near Biggs, and will change the physical location of the access point. The construction will continue well into the next year. Therefore, I recommend using the alternate routes to Biggs as we work with the Texas Department of Transportation and other local agencies to upgrade road conditions around that area and posture ourselves for the increased Soldier population of Biggs. What is the timeline for 6th Bde. to move to Fort Sill? The current scheduled start date is July 2009. It is anticipated the move will be completed by spring 2010. Are there any plans for increased Morale Welfare and Recreation facilities based on the increase of troops and the arrival of the 1st Armored Division? Many new MWR facilities are planned for the next five years to include youth and childcare centers and either new or expanded recreational facilities. Considerable planning has been made to ensure our facilities grow at the same rate as our population. However, we are not waiting for the population to grow. Sunset Golf Course is currently under renovation to include new greens/tees and cart paths. The Bowling Center lounge and snack bar will undergo a complete renovation to include MWR food theme concepts, state-of–the-art audiovisual system, new arcade game room and bar décor package. The Centennial scramble kitchen will also undergo a complete renovation and will feature a food pavilion with several dining options. Also planned is an expanded ITR with a satellite site at the post exchange and expanded partnership with the El Paso Convention and Visitors bureau. The Monitor also received a question from a motorcycle rider who is frequently stopped entering the installation regarding proper attire, headgear and clothing for riding motorcycles on post. What is the policy? The post policy and Army Regulation 385-55 outline the requirements, which are: motorcycle riders must have a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, proof of insurance, registration and a Fort Bliss recertification card. Other safety requirements include: a helmet, which must be Department of Transportation approved, properly fastened under the chin and worn on and off post; proper eye protection, which means the glasses must give protection from flying debris, unless worn under a full-face helmet that has the face shield down; full-fingered gloves; long-sleeve shirt or jacket; high-visibility garments, such as yellow or orange, and retro-reflective garment for night, which can be worn in the daytime as well. Reflective belts used for physical training can be worn as long as it can be seen, not around the waist. The road guard vest, the black leather (Harley) vest with silver reflective stripes front and back also meets the intent of the post policy. The Army long sleeve PT uniform, which has a reflective design on the back does not meet the standard required and cannot be worn as a retro-reflective garment. Remaining questions from 6th Brigade will be answered in next week’s paper. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General