Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

During a visit to 2-43 Air Defense Artillery, I received the following questions from Soldiers.

Why can’t single E-5s live off post and get BAH?

Single E-5s who wish to live off post must have their commander’s approval, and as barracks occupancy rate must be kept at a certain level, this may be a factor when a commander is considering a request by an E-5 to live off post.

Is there a two year stabilization period for Soldiers PCSing to Fort Bliss?

The 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division is a life cycle unit with an end date (stabilization) of August 2008. Soldiers who return from assignment overseas are normally stabilized for 12 months. Soldiers who return from deployment overseas have stabilizations that normally range from three to 12 months. Other than 4th Bde., 1st Cav. Div., the stabilization is for reassignment only, which could allow deployment within the stabilization period.

We see the new officer and NCO housing being built; when are the lower enlisted going to get new housing on Fort Bliss?

GMH is constructing 528 new homes in Paso del Norte Heights (near Logan Heights Gym) 355 for junior enlisted and 173 for senior noncommissioned officers and their families. The first new homes are scheduled for completion in May 2007 with all homes scheduled for completion by May 2009. Main post homes are currently scheduled for demolition with construction of new homes projected to begin in 2009. All of the Lindquist, Upper and Lower Beaumont housing units have been converted to refrigerated air, and the conversion in the 108s and George Moore is in progress and is expected to be completed by January 2007. Major interior renovation is ongoing in Logan Heights as occupants vacate homes. in addition to the interior upgrades, 290 homes have been converted to refrigerated air. Although the Van Horne area is scheduled for demolition sometime in the future, GMH is going ahead with needed repairs, interior and exterior, i.e., new roofs as needed, kitchen upgrades, ceiling fans, light kits, new doors, carpet and replacing the older evaporative coolers with master coolers, which are much more efficient in this climate.
In addition, the Kelly Park Community Center is currently under construction and is projected for completion in March 2007; it will house the GMH leasing office, the Army Family Housing Office, an Internet café, resident meeting rooms, soda shop, access to the existing mini-golf and a new outdoor spray park water feature.

Are they going to build a new gym to alleviate the crowds at Stout Gym?

Through the Base Realignment and Closure construction process, a new “state of the art” physical fitness center will be built, which will be twice as large as Stout Gym beginning in fiscal year 2008. It will be the largest physical fitness center in the Army. Additionally, when Congress reconvenes after the elections, they will vote on a Congressional Add to renovate the existing Biggs gym in 2007. This renovation would increase the size of the facility by 44,000 square feet.
Soldiers and families are going to see many changes and additions to MWR facilities during the next five years. The number one priority for all service providers is to ensure the Soldier and family are provided with the very best.

What are the guidelines for reenlistment and changes in duty stations?

In accordance with Army Resolution 601-280, para. 4-2 Initial term, Soldiers assigned to installations within the United States (CONUS) may reenlist for any option that will result in a PCS, and they are otherwise qualified for provided they complete at least one year on station before movement. Mid-career and career Soldiers assigned in CONUS may reenlist for any option that will result in a PCS and they are otherwise qualified for, provided they complete at least two years before movement.

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



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Nov. 2, 2006

	Troop Talk During a visit to 2-43 Air Defense Artillery, I received the following questions from Soldiers. Why can’t single E-5s live off post and get BAH? Single E-5s who wish to live off post must have their commander’s approval, and as barracks occupancy rate must be kept at a certain level, this may be a factor when a commander is considering a request by an E-5 to live off post. Is there a two year stabilization period for Soldiers PCSing to Fort Bliss? The 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division is a life cycle unit with an end date (stabilization) of August 2008. Soldiers who return from assignment overseas are normally stabilized for 12 months. Soldiers who return from deployment overseas have stabilizations that normally range from three to 12 months. Other than 4th Bde., 1st Cav. Div., the stabilization is for reassignment only, which could allow deployment within the stabilization period. We see the new officer and NCO housing being built; when are the lower enlisted going to get new housing on Fort Bliss? GMH is constructing 528 new homes in Paso del Norte Heights (near Logan Heights Gym) 355 for junior enlisted and 173 for senior noncommissioned officers and their families. The first new homes are scheduled for completion in May 2007 with all homes scheduled for completion by May 2009. Main post homes are currently scheduled for demolition with construction of new homes projected to begin in 2009. All of the Lindquist, Upper and Lower Beaumont housing units have been converted to refrigerated air, and the conversion in the 108s and George Moore is in progress and is expected to be completed by January 2007. Major interior renovation is ongoing in Logan Heights as occupants vacate homes. in addition to the interior upgrades, 290 homes have been converted to refrigerated air. Although the Van Horne area is scheduled for demolition sometime in the future, GMH is going ahead with needed repairs, interior and exterior, i.e., new roofs as needed, kitchen upgrades, ceiling fans, light kits, new doors, carpet and replacing the older evaporative coolers with master coolers, which are much more efficient in this climate. In addition, the Kelly Park Community Center is currently under construction and is projected for completion in March 2007; it will house the GMH leasing office, the Army Family Housing Office, an Internet café, resident meeting rooms, soda shop, access to the existing mini-golf and a new outdoor spray park water feature. Are they going to build a new gym to alleviate the crowds at Stout Gym? Through the Base Realignment and Closure construction process, a new “state of the art” physical fitness center will be built, which will be twice as large as Stout Gym beginning in fiscal year 2008. It will be the largest physical fitness center in the Army. Additionally, when Congress reconvenes after the elections, they will vote on a Congressional Add to renovate the existing Biggs gym in 2007. This renovation would increase the size of the facility by 44,000 square feet. Soldiers and families are going to see many changes and additions to MWR facilities during the next five years. The number one priority for all service providers is to ensure the Soldier and family are provided with the very best. What are the guidelines for reenlistment and changes in duty stations? In accordance with Army Resolution 601-280, para. 4-2 Initial term, Soldiers assigned to installations within the United States (CONUS) may reenlist for any option that will result in a PCS, and they are otherwise qualified for provided they complete at least one year on station before movement. Mid-career and career Soldiers assigned in CONUS may reenlist for any option that will result in a PCS and they are otherwise qualified for, provided they complete at least two years before movement. Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General