Troop Talk
Troop Talk is about Soldiers, civilians and their families
and through this column I will continue to answer your questions and
address your concerns. In the year ahead we will face many challenges,
but I am confident that together we will accomplish the many tasks ahead.
I received a number of questions after a morning run with 31st Air Defense
Artillery. Answers to some of the questions are provided below and the
remainder will be addressed in future columns.
Why has the Child Development Center cut the number of hours
of free child care for the children of deployed Soldiers from 12 hours
a week to five hours a week?
The CDC was allowing sponsors to use up to 10 hours per month in support
of GWOT. Unfortunately, when reviewing the fee policy guidance for this
fiscal year we realized we had interpreted the policy incorrectly, and
the number of hours had to be decreased to five hours per month. However,
if the spouse attends an FRG meeting during the time the centers are
open, the parent can use the CDC as well, without these hours being
counted against the five free hours. In addition to the five hours of
hourly care offered per month, SKIESUnlimited class enrollment is free
for children of sponsors who are deployed. There are a number of classes
offered, i.e., swimming, ballet and piano. When the Soldier returns
to Fort Bliss, either during their tour of duty, or at the conclusion
of their tour, an additional eight hours of reunion care is available
as well. To take advantage of these opportunities visit the CYS Central
Enrollment and Registration office in Bldg. 1743 or call 568-4374.
Why does the Child Development Center consider rank when setting
prices for child care? Why is there not one set price?
Total family income is the method used for determining a patron’s
fee category. The Department of Defense issues a fee policy in which
guidance is given as to how to calculate total family income and the
fees that can be charged within that category. Determining which fee
category a patron is in by this method ensures that the process used
is uniform across military installations. If an individual calls the
Central Enrollment and Registration office to inquire about fees, the
administrative assistant will say fees are based on total family income,
however you may be asked rank of the sponsor, years in service and spouse
employment information if applicable, based on base pay charts and BAH.
Using this information the administrative assistant can give an estimate
about which fee category you may be in, however fee categories can not
be formally determined until sponsor and spouse leave and earning statements
are evaluated.
Does the post have the facilities to accommodate all of the
new unit personnel who will be arriving in the next five years, plus
the air defense Soldiers who will be stationed here? If not, how long
will it take the post to expand to a size that will accommodate all
of these Soldiers?
The
Army has synchronized the growth of Fort Bliss with the arrival of Soldiers.
Construction is underway in an area just inside Loop 375 where new facilities
are being built for Soldiers who will arrive in the summer of 2008.
Like any plan, there will be adjustments and Fort Bliss may experience
brief periods where new Soldiers arrive before some of the ADA units
depart.
Is there a plan to improve the DEERS ID Card section in order
to reduce the wait times for Soldiers and their family members?
An additional CAC station is being set up at the SRP site to support
the global war on terrorism mission. The equipment will be installed
this month and military personnel will operate the systems until civilians
are hired and trained. This will reduce the wait time for ID cards,
as a large portion of the workload will move to the new site.
Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General
Brig. Gen. Robert
P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General