Troop Talk
The following questions have been posed to the CG in the last few days while running with local units. Additional questions that are pending answers will be covered in upcoming issues of the paper.
What will happen with Soldiers who hold a low-density military occupational specialty and deploy with a Patriot unit? Will they transfer to another duty station that might be deploying again immediately thereafter?
Any Soldier who deploys for 12 months will have 12 months of dwell time upon his or her return. The Soldier may permanently change stations when he or she returns from theater to another unit, but must have 12 months of dwell time prior to the next deployment. This can be waivered if the Soldier volunteers.
A permanent change of station after a deployment is based on individual circumstances, and any 14-series MOS Soldiers can contact us if they have a question. All others should contact their individual branches. For those who deploy with a Patriot unit to Korea for a 12-month rotation, they will have six months’ dwell time at their home station upon their return. PCS circumstances after a temporary change of station rotation are the same as mentioned above and are on an individual basis. For more information visit www.hrc.army. mil/site/active/enlist/ENLIST.htm.
Is Mexico off limits or just Ciudad Juarez?
Per my policy, the city of Juarez remains off limits; however, as stated in the policy, other areas of Mexico are not. Reports of recent violence in other parts of Mexico, including border areas, still make traveling there dangerous. Servicemembers must follow applicable leave and pass procedures, and satisfy anti-terrorism program requirements for travel to Mexico.
Are there any plans to build new barracks close to William Beaumont Army Medical Center for Soldiers who work there?
In the short-range construction program, there are no plans to construct more barracks in the WBAMC area. There are three primary factors that impact our ability to construct replacement barracks: existing assets, utilization of existing assets and living standards. Fort Bliss has 6,000-plus barracks spaces. All of our barracks meet the minimum quality-of-life standards.
Of special significance is our barracks utilization rate. Fort Bliss’ barracks utilization rate is currently at 64 percent. This figure indicates an excess of barracks spaces, which negatively impacts our ability to construct replacement barracks. Our utilization rate will continue to be low as we build more and more barracks at East Biggs. As such, we foresee demolishing most of our older barracks on the main post and replacing just a few to the most current occupancy standards. These activities, however, are scheduled for fiscal 2014 and beyond. Requirements at WBAMC will be a factor as we site any of these new barracks.
Are there plans for 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade to receive a non-standard mission in support of the Global War on Terrorism?
Currently, 31st ADA is not scheduled for a non-standard mission. However, we are at war, and high operational tempo may change other Army units’ availability, subsequently changing plans from U.S. Forces Command. The 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command could be tasked to provide a brigade for a non-standard mission. If so, the unit will conduct the mission analysis and provide a recommendation to FORSCOM.
There are a bunch of houses on the installation that appear to be substandard quarters. Not everyone will be assigned a set of the new quarters, so will Soldiers be given part of their basic allowance for housing back for living in substandard quarters?
Currently Balfour Beatty Communities – formerly GMH Military Housing – oversees approximately 2,900-plus homes on Fort Bliss. In the past, before housing became privatized, some homes were classified by the military as substandard. These homes were given a special rate that was temporarily grandfathered by GMH. At this time, all other homes are considered adequate, and there are no plans to designate any additional homes as substandard.
Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg
Fort Bliss Commanding General