Just getting here to Fort Bliss, looking for any and all information possible.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:09:33 -0400

I'm a motivated hard charger, with a large family (wife, and 5 little girls). I'm seeking information on schools, post, the best Brigades, pass experiences. All feed back is greatly appreciated. SSG J

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 1 at 2015 7:12 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:12:36 -0400

Don't go to Mexico.... ;o)

Can't talk much about 1AD, but Bliss is generally a very nice post nowadays. There are very nice facilities all over and the PX is hands down the pbest in the Army. Not sure what the wait for on-post housing looks like, but if you are going to live off post and be assigned to 1AD, east side and far east side are where I'd recommend to look.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 1 at 2015 7:31 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:31:25 -0400

Go to 'People' then search by unit. You'll find better resources from folks in your unit. All the same RP is a good resource for the RFI you are requesting. Good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 9:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 21:54:27 -0400

Don't live on the West Side. Too much travel.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 10:53 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 22:53:23 -0400

I can't speak much about schools because my boys are too young and can't judge any Brigade but 2BCT. If you come here it will be very fast paced and there is almost no down time. If you need anything more specific send me a message and I will do what I can to help.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 11:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:18:59 -0400

If you have Facebook, add the "fort bliss lets trade" page, "el paso yard sales" page, and there are other associated pages. If you're looking for good Mexican cuisine, I would strongly recommend Kiki's restaurant on 2719 Piedras st., over by William Beaumont hospital ( near the mountain. ) the freedom crossing area is nice compared to other installations, as it offers a large food court, huge PX, a theater, other shopping amenities, and more restaurants such as Texas Roadhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, and a few others.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 11:23 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:23:21 -0400

There are some good people on here at Ft. Bliss. LTC Paul Labrador, SSG (ret) William Martin just to name two. I was stationed there in the late 80s but it's a different place now from what I understand. I do recommend White Sands National Park for your kids and Cloudcroft has snowmobiling and skiing in the winter. You are close to Laas Cruces which has cool stuff too. Congratulations and good luck to you.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 11:43 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:43:17 -0400

I grew up in El Paso, spent two different tours at Bliss, one as an NCO and one as a Warrant Officer, both assignments were very positive. I enjoy the area and community very much. Weather is really dry and it can get really hot there too. Sunshine and 60's is common until Dec. Franklin Mountain chain is nice. Great sense of community and military partnerships. City has grown 800% since I was stationed there last in 2005 and again in 2010. 1AD on East Bliss has all the new facilities for the units. Historic Bliss has Freedom Crossing, which is a one stop shopping and entertainment areas that can cover most of your needs. There are two decent sized malls in the city and plenty of shopping centers and a decent sized outlet mall on the Westside of town. Two primary colleges are the University of Texas at El Paso and you have the community college too. There is decent sized water park and smaller sized amusement park too. Plenty of things for the kids to do, and if you don’t mind and want Sea World or Six Flags, you’re going to have to make the 8-10 hour drive to SA or Dallas. Places to live are in abundance and the housing market is pretty decent compared to many areas in the country. Plenty of schools to choose from. A lot of military stay in the northeast part of town traditionally but I think that has changed now because you can easily get to Bliss from all areas of the city with their revamped highway system that connects all parts of town and runs them into Bliss. Plenty of new off post developments all over the city. Housing on Bliss itself has been all updated within the last 5-10 years. I have stayed on and off Bliss and both experiences were pleasant. I hope this info helps.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 2 at 2015 11:48 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 11:48:20 -0400

If you like good Hispanic food, the zoo, and shopping then El Paso, TX will work out for you. Avoid Logan Heights aka, Lower Logan. The housing there is terrible. Housing wants to fill these houses up but these homes are terrible looking inside and out.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 12:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:49:53 -0400

Schools:
Air Assault just stood up as a part of the "Light Fighter School" that will also include a pre-ranger program that is run by division. Job specific MTTs rotate regularly throughout the year. A desert warrior course also just stood up and your rank happens to be one of the target audiences. Don't worry if you don't get it, as you'll be unofficially desert qualified by the time you leave here.

Post:
As said before, the post is some of the best the Army has to offer. Freedom Crossing has a B-Dubs, Texas Roadhouse, Smashburger, a Pub, and a pretty good movie theater. PX is huge. On post housing construction is constant, and the homes from what I hear are pretty good.

I lived on both the West and East. They both have their pros and cons. But what I can tell you is that I am much happier living on the West side. There's more to do on this side, people are nicer, and doesn't have the suburbia feel or the traffic. It takes me the same amount of time to get to work from the West side as the East because I don't have morning traffic. Northeast is far from everything and don't live south of I-10 if you value your life. If I were to attempt to compare it to Hawaii, the West side is the North Shore. It's worth the drive.

Units:
1st is Stryker. They've been notorious for having problems (check recent events) and will be transitioning to the testing brigade here within a year.

2nd is heavy and the current testing brigade. So if you don't know what I mean by that; 1AD has a tasking called NIE or Network Integration Evaluation. Fancy for a bi-annual month long field problem that tests mostly signal equipment. 1st will be taking over next fiscal year and 2nd who has remained non-deployable will return to deployable status. It may sound like I'm biased because I'm in this unit, but 2nd is by far the best brigade on the post.

3rd recently reflagged from 4th brigade and is the only true heavy deployable unit for the time being in 1AD. Don't know too much about them. They stay out of the limelight. No major incidents but no accolades either.

There are other things, but if you want to know them, I'm sure your fellow NCOs will fill you in when you arrive. Not that I don't want to tell you, but...you know.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Jun 2 at 2015 1:51 PM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:51:08 -0400

You have no idea how lucky you are! No matter how bad it gets... it was worse in 2009. That post has unscrewed itself by an order of magnitude since FORSCOM took over. I was one of the first soldiers of 1/1AD to arrive and it was PAINFUL! There was outright war between the FORSCOM and ADA/TRADOC units. All the animosity with the ADA there is totally and completely deserved. They were incredibly butt hurt about losing Ft. Bliss as their home. IIRC the USAADACS CSM and one of the 1AD CSMs almost got in a fistfight on the steps of Hinmen Hall, thats how bad it was. I wouldn't mind being stationed there again. El Paso will grow on you like a cancer. You may dislike it at first but you WILL miss it. The food is incredible, the culture is lively, and there is always something to do with in a few hours drive. Make sure to drive up to Ruidoso, NM and take advantage of the Skiing and outdoor activities. They have great deals for service members. I won't say it was my favorite assignment, but I will say that by the end it most definitely did not suck in terms of quality of life....... now as for the 1st Armored Division..

...on behalf of a grateful nation.

Response by SFC Emerson "Zeus" Hazzard made Jun 5 at 2015 1:43 AM

SFC Emerson "Zeus" Hazzard — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:43:14 -0400

been here off and on for 20 years. contact me at twincobratx.com ask for zeus.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 11:37 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 23:37:44 -0500

You will be assigned a sponsor before you PCS. That person will give you the best information on your new unit.

The facilities on post are excellent; better than anyplace in the Army.

Stay away from most of Northeast El Paso. The Westside is more expensive. Far East has some very nice neighborhoods that are reasonably priced.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 12:37 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 00:37:26 -0500

Well...you got to the brigade at a very interesting time...........

just watch out for the chihuahua license plates

Response by SPC(P) Micah Lavigne made Jan 31 at 2016 7:49 PM

SPC(P) Micah Lavigne — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 19:49:02 -0500

Mesquite hills is nice 25 minutes from post if you take dyer to agnora, then railroad to chaffee. You will hit 2 lights and a railroad, but get there usually in 15 minutes (best way to get to WBAMC when you need to) and with the freeways right there, are 30 minutes to anywhere in El paso. The neighborhood is new mostly vets, cops and a deputy with a few active military. Freedom Crossing is a great family spot, there is the El Paso zoo. I'm partial to McKelligon canyon as a great source of exercise. Units? Too each their own all I know is 11th ADA. I will keep my reservations but all you have to do is watch and observe.