Fort Bliss  In-depth Overview

1st Armored Division rapidly deploys in support of Unified Land Operations in order to Deter or Defeat our enemies and on order redeploys. 1AD is prepared to exercise mission command of Army, Joint, and Multi-national Forces as a U.S. Division, or Joint Task Force.

In November 1848, the War Department ordered the establishment of a post at El Paso Del Norte. The first U.S. troops to arrive were six rifle companies of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. These troops established a military post known simply as "The Post Opposite El Paso." After closing and relocating the post, the Army officially renamed it Fort Bliss on March 8, 1854, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel William Wallace Smith Bliss, an Army assistant adjutant general during the Mexican War. For more information go to the Fort Bliss home page https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php

• 38,500 Total Military
• 39,576 Family Members
• 10,063 Civilians
• 32,857 Retirees
• 38,526 Family Members Retirees
• 8,428 Survivors of Retirees
• 612 Survivors of Active Duty
• Total Population Supported over165,500

The population in El Paso County, Texas was 865,657 per the U.S. Census Bureau for 2020.

The region has a civilian labor force of 362,814 with a participation rate of 60.0%. Of individuals 25 to 64 in El Paso County, Texas, 23.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher which compares with 31.8% in the nation.

The median household income in El Paso County, Texas is $46,871 and the median house value is $121,500.

Fort Bliss is a diverse community made up of Soldiers, family members, students, employees and retirees. The Fort Bliss area is home to the biggest transformation in history.

Located in El Paso, TX, Fort Bliss is home to the 1^st Armored Division. We are a FORSCOM installation comprised of other commands: MEDCOM, JTF-NORTH, TRADOC, USAR, and other elements. Fort Bliss is comprised of approximately 1.12 million acres of land in Texas and New México. The Main Cantonment Area of Fort Bliss is located adjacent to El Paso, Texas. El Paso is a jewel in the desert. Nestled between the rugged Franklin Mountains and the historic Rio Grande, this border community combines the advantages of a major city with the charm of a modern western town. El Paso is a major transportation hub with abundant cultural and entertainment opportunities. El Paso has a low crime rate and an extremely favorable cost-of-living index. Seven in ten El Pasoans are bilingual in English and Spanish. 

You can also review the complete Fort Bliss Directory at https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/contact/phonebook

The El Paso International Airport is located just East of the Main Installation and South East of East Fort Bliss. The number to the Military Help Desk is 915-726-6912 hours 0600-12 midnight. Free shuttle service is offered through the Fort Bliss Soldier Support Center to inprocessing Soldiers and families; however, the families MUST BE TRAVELING WITH THE SERVICE MEMBER. To take advantage of this service Soldiers must see the Military Helpdesk located in the El Paso International Airport.

To access Main Fort Bliss from the airport, Service Members and their families can leave the airport traveling West on Airway and they will enter the Buffalo Soldier Gate.

To access East Bliss from the airport, Service Members and families can leave the Airport and travel west on Airway Blvd making a right hand turn onto Airport Rd. by staying in the Right lane, Airport will curve into Sgt. Major Blvd and the MSG Pena Gate will be the main entrance to East Bliss. Staff Duty for Airport transportation call 915-568-5098 24/7.

From US 54

Personnel arriving via US 54 can enter through one of three gates, depending on which direction they are arriving from.

Personnel traveling North on Highway 54 can enter through either the Sheridan Gate (Mon-Fri 0500-2100) or the Cassidy Gate which is accessible 24 hours a day.

Personnel traveling South on US 54 can enter Cassidy Gate (24 Hours) and the Sheridan Gate (Mon-Fri 0500-2100). All Gate are accessible by following the signs. Upon taking this exit, personnel will continue traveling South on the access road to get to each gate.

From Interstate 10 East

Personnel arriving via I-10 can exit at Joe Battle Blvd, 375 loop and travel North to the intersection of the 601 Spur, or Liberty Expressway. Upon taking that exit, personnel should follow the loop to the Chaffee Exit and enter through the Chaffee gate (0500-2100 daily, including holidays. the Visitor Control Center (VCC) is available 24 hours a day, including holidays).

Exit Airway Blvd and travel North on Airway Blvd. and cross through the intersection of Airport rd., from here they will enter the post from the east side through the Buffalo Soldier gate 24/7 Monday thru Sunday. The VCC at the Buffalo Soldier Gate is open 24/7 Monday thru Sunday.

Additionally, personnel may exit onto US 54 and enter through the Cassidy Gate by following signs to Cassidy Rd

The Old Ironsides Drive ACP will operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

**100% identification card check of all personnel will be implemented at all Fort Bliss access control points.

All Department of Defense and non-DoD vehicular occupants, including the driver and all of-age passengers, will have to present an ID card - valid state driver's license, government/federal ID card, passport, etc. - for authorized access to Fort Bliss.

All vehicles and occupants entering Fort Bliss are subject to random searches and inspections, as has always been the standard.

All non-DoD persons can expect to obtain a visitor’s pass at certain gates with VCC (Visitor Control Centers). Travelers should plan their time accordingly as access times to Fort Bliss might be increased following these enduring security measure enhancements.**

Fort Bliss is located in the center of El Paso and extends north past the Texas state line into New Mexico. There are two posts that border one another to create what Fort Bliss is today. Main Post, which is the original area of Fort Bliss, is located North of Interstate 10 and East of US Highway 54 (Patriot Freeway). The Soldier Support Center is located in Bldg 505, Pershing Road, on Main Post. East Bliss, formerly known as “Biggs Army Airfield” is the rapidly expanding portion of post that will eventually contain 2/3 of all Soldiers stationed at Fort Bliss. East Bliss is located North of Main Post and is easily accessible from a newly constructed expressway, the 601 Spur, also known as the Liberty Expressway.

Currently, there is a Soldier Support Center van which shuttles to and from the El Paso International Airport during scheduled hours. Many Units have a shuttle for their Soldiers to utilize. The Public Transportation System (Sun Metro) for El Paso has bus routes which run in and out of Fort Bliss. Please contact El Paso Sun Metro for more information or go to www.sunmetro.net. Local taxis are also available on and off post for commuting.

Other helpful information and numbers:

• Reception Staff Duty: 915-569-5261, Bldg. 1006 Carter Rd. 
• Non-Emergency Military Police: 915-744-2115
• Buffalo Soldier Gate Visitor Control Center: 915-568-3215, 24/7 

The carrying of a concealed weapon on the installation is prohibited, regardless of whether a state or county permit has been obtained. Per AR 190-11, a concealed weapon is any instrument used or designed for the purpose of inflicting grievous bodily harm that is carried on the person in such a way as to be hidden from ordinary view. Folded knives with blades shorter than 3 inches are excluded from this definition.