Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

The Fort Bliss Army Family Action Plan Conference was held here last week and of the numerous discussions and issues that came out of the conference, the following were considered to be a priority.

Issue #1
Force Support/Leadership. Excessive waiting time at the ID Card Section.

We are currently working on a plan with SRP to have an ID card section at that site for mobilizing and demobilizing Soldiers, who currently have a top priority. Another problem at the moment is the hiring freeze that has resulted in a decrease in staff to handle the workload.

Issue #2
Housing. There is a concern by residents who live in off post military housing about security in their neighborhoods.

For those areas, the Military Police will soon be able to increase their foot and vehicle patrols. This method has had a significant impact in decreasing criminal activity in the 801 Housing area. The good news is GMH Military Housing was given approval to develop and begin construction of a privatized barracks dormitory program for single or unaccompanied E6-E9 noncommissioneds, this should make a huge difference in the quality of living quarters for NCOs.

Another housing concern was work order timeliness.

GMH did a survey, and they found they could improve in this area. GMH is looking to reorganize the maintenance department in order to better serve their customers. You can now go to the web site to check the status of your work order, and they also have the “right to enter program” for those who aren’t able to be at home at the time of scheduled maintenance. In the 801 Housing Area, there is a two-hour response time for emergencies. GMH would like reports of any work orders that are not handled in a timely manner. The Web site for information about GMH family housing is www.ftblissfamilyhousing.com.

Issue # 3
Relocation and Employment.

Inspections for private vehicles coming from overseas require an inordinate amount of time and a long waiting period to meet required standards. We realize this is a problem and we are looking into ways we can work with all agencies to improve this service. The requirement for inspections has increased from four to thirty per day. Employment priority preference of family members who are non-ID cardholders is not within regulatory guidelines. There are two major job fairs each year on Fort Bliss with more than 70 companies participating and there is no restrictions on who may apply. USAJobs is another Web site that lists all federal employment opportunities that are open to the public.

Issue # 4
Consumer and Family Services focused on the hourly fees and hours of the Child Youth Services.

Fees are established by DoD, and changing the fee structure would require sending a request forward. As for extended hours, the Armed Services YMCA tried a 24-hour program but there were not enough children enrolled to make it feasible. CYS will conduct a survey to see how many users would be interested in extended hours. CYS had a part- time, flexible schedule for part-time workers, college students and people looking for work. However, during a formal inspection, they had to revert back to the block hours. This is another issue that will have to be sent forward to be changed.

Issue # 5
Medical/Dental items covered expansion of triage through tele-nurse.

WBAMC was short one nurse, and another was in training. Early next week, the tele-nurse will be available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Issue # 6
Education

DOD dependent Schools on military installations in United States are an exception and very rare. In most cases, all military family members attend public schools in their district and changing the curriculum to DODD standards would be a challenge, as each state has different requirements.

Some weeks ago, an error was printed in the Troop Talk column regarding metering of utilities for GMH housing occupants. Utility billing for electric and gas usage is projected to start in 2008. all homes will be metered by 2011 in the housing currently being constructed, renovated, or of historically restored homes.

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



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Oct. 19, 2006

	Troop Talk The Fort Bliss Army Family Action Plan Conference was held here last week and of the numerous discussions and issues that came out of the conference, the following were considered to be a priority. Issue #1 Force Support/Leadership. Excessive waiting time at the ID Card Section. We are currently working on a plan with SRP to have an ID card section at that site for mobilizing and demobilizing Soldiers, who currently have a top priority. Another problem at the moment is the hiring freeze that has resulted in a decrease in staff to handle the workload. Issue #2 Housing. There is a concern by residents who live in off post military housing about security in their neighborhoods. For those areas, the Military Police will soon be able to increase their foot and vehicle patrols. This method has had a significant impact in decreasing criminal activity in the 801 Housing area. The good news is GMH Military Housing was given approval to develop and begin construction of a privatized barracks dormitory program for single or unaccompanied E6-E9 noncommissioneds, this should make a huge difference in the quality of living quarters for NCOs. Another housing concern was work order timeliness. GMH did a survey, and they found they could improve in this area. GMH is looking to reorganize the maintenance department in order to better serve their customers. You can now go to the web site to check the status of your work order, and they also have the “right to enter program” for those who aren’t able to be at home at the time of scheduled maintenance. In the 801 Housing Area, there is a two-hour response time for emergencies. GMH would like reports of any work orders that are not handled in a timely manner. The Web site for information about GMH family housing is www.ftblissfamilyhousing.com. Issue # 3 Relocation and Employment. Inspections for private vehicles coming from overseas require an inordinate amount of time and a long waiting period to meet required standards. We realize this is a problem and we are looking into ways we can work with all agencies to improve this service. The requirement for inspections has increased from four to thirty per day. Employment priority preference of family members who are non-ID cardholders is not within regulatory guidelines. There are two major job fairs each year on Fort Bliss with more than 70 companies participating and there is no restrictions on who may apply. USAJobs is another Web site that lists all federal employment opportunities that are open to the public. Issue # 4 Consumer and Family Services focused on the hourly fees and hours of the Child Youth Services. Fees are established by DoD, and changing the fee structure would require sending a request forward. As for extended hours, the Armed Services YMCA tried a 24-hour program but there were not enough children enrolled to make it feasible. CYS will conduct a survey to see how many users would be interested in extended hours. CYS had a part- time, flexible schedule for part-time workers, college students and people looking for work. However, during a formal inspection, they had to revert back to the block hours. This is another issue that will have to be sent forward to be changed. Issue # 5 Medical/Dental items covered expansion of triage through tele-nurse. WBAMC was short one nurse, and another was in training. Early next week, the tele-nurse will be available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Issue # 6 Education DOD dependent Schools on military installations in United States are an exception and very rare. In most cases, all military family members attend public schools in their district and changing the curriculum to DODD standards would be a challenge, as each state has different requirements. Some weeks ago, an error was printed in the Troop Talk column regarding metering of utilities for GMH housing occupants. Utility billing for electric and gas usage is projected to start in 2008. all homes will be metered by 2011 in the housing currently being constructed, renovated, or of historically restored homes. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General