Fort Bliss Monitor

Pfc. Jacob Wall

Capt. Tim Bullock, assistant operations officer for 3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, speaks with a vendor during the El Paso Information Fair April 20. The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event for Soldiers and families of the 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division.

Chamber of Commerce welcomes 1st Armored Soldiers, families

Pfc. Jacob Wall
3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment

Transition is a difficult task, not only for the leaders and Soldiers of a unit, but for their families as well. Members of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce hoped to alleviate some of the concerns Soldiers and their dependents face during transition by hosting an information fair for the personnel of 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division. The 5th Bde. is tasked with testing the Army’s cutting-edge equipment and serving as the 1st AD’s vanguard for its move from Germany to Fort Bliss slated for 2010.

More than 60 businesses and employers were present to provide information, job opportunities, and welcome gifts to the brigade’s Soldiers and their families.

“This is a welcome fair for the 1st Armored Division,” said Minda Villareal, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Division. “This is El Paso’s way of welcoming 1st Armored to the area. We want to know how we can help the Soldiers and their families and we know that jobs for spouses are critical. We do this for all of our new units and we will continue to host these events as more Soldiers arrive.”

“This is a wonderful welcoming event by the El Paso community for our new unit,” said Andrea Schaill, 5th Bde.’s Family Readiness Group advisor.

Soldiers and their families were equally pleased with El Paso’s display of kindness.
“I think this was a really good idea, said Pvt. Coty Pogue, a supply clerk in E Company, 3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment. “It gives our spouses a chance to find a job in a new community.”

Spouse Amiee Kennedy found the fair helpful

“This has been pretty nifty,” Kennedy said. “Everyone has been really nice and informative.”
“It’s good for all our Soldiers to know their opportunities, and moving into a new area, especially an area like El Paso and with so many wives coming here at once, is hard so it’s good for our spouses to get out and meet new people for friendships and networking,” said Capt. Noah Hanners, commander of D Co., 3-36th Inf.

Married Soldiers weren’t the only ones to benefit from the fair.

“They have a lot of helpful information about local banks and colleges, and they have provided me a starting point and guidance should I ever choose to start a family here,” said Pfc. Michael Mrowicki, C Co., 3-36th Inf.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 3, 2007

	Pfc. Jacob Wall Capt. Tim Bullock, assistant operations officer for 3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, speaks with a vendor during the El Paso Information Fair April 20. The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event for Soldiers and families of the 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division. Chamber of Commerce welcomes 1st Armored Soldiers, families Pfc. Jacob Wall 3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment Transition is a difficult task, not only for the leaders and Soldiers of a unit, but for their families as well. Members of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce hoped to alleviate some of the concerns Soldiers and their dependents face during transition by hosting an information fair for the personnel of 5th Brigade, 1st Armored Division. The 5th Bde. is tasked with testing the Army’s cutting-edge equipment and serving as the 1st AD’s vanguard for its move from Germany to Fort Bliss slated for 2010. More than 60 businesses and employers were present to provide information, job opportunities, and welcome gifts to the brigade’s Soldiers and their families. “This is a welcome fair for the 1st Armored Division,” said Minda Villareal, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Division. “This is El Paso’s way of welcoming 1st Armored to the area. We want to know how we can help the Soldiers and their families and we know that jobs for spouses are critical. We do this for all of our new units and we will continue to host these events as more Soldiers arrive.” “This is a wonderful welcoming event by the El Paso community for our new unit,” said Andrea Schaill, 5th Bde.’s Family Readiness Group advisor. Soldiers and their families were equally pleased with El Paso’s display of kindness. “I think this was a really good idea, said Pvt. Coty Pogue, a supply clerk in E Company, 3rd Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment. “It gives our spouses a chance to find a job in a new community.” Spouse Amiee Kennedy found the fair helpful “This has been pretty nifty,” Kennedy said. “Everyone has been really nice and informative.” “It’s good for all our Soldiers to know their opportunities, and moving into a new area, especially an area like El Paso and with so many wives coming here at once, is hard so it’s good for our spouses to get out and meet new people for friendships and networking,” said Capt. Noah Hanners, commander of D Co., 3-36th Inf. Married Soldiers weren’t the only ones to benefit from the fair. “They have a lot of helpful information about local banks and colleges, and they have provided me a starting point and guidance should I ever choose to start a family here,” said Pfc. Michael Mrowicki, C Co., 3-36th Inf.