Fort Bliss  Military and Family Support Center

If you are approaching a permanent change of station, or PCS, you may have questions about your upcoming move. As part of the Military and Family Support Center, the relocation assistance program provides services and resources to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Below is a list of resources.

• PCS planning – Most relocation assistance programs offer counseling/consultations to assist in the moving process. Those making their first military move, those making their first overseas move or those with challenging or complex situations should contact their installation Military and Family Support Center relocation assistance office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• MilitaryINSTALLATIONS and Military OneSource – For managing and planning your move, you may want to take advantage of these Department of Defense-sponsored online resources and tools, including the 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move.
• Loan Closet – Loan Closet offers basic household goods while your personal property is in transit. Typical items include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards and infant or toddler car seats. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your express shipment. This service varies by service and installation.
• Workshops and briefings – Workshops vary from installation to installation, but you may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets or general moving preparation and resources.
• Pre-departure briefings – Briefings may be called Smooth Move or PCS Briefing and provide essential information about your next duty station. Briefings can be critical in setting you up for success during the transition to your next duty station.
• Settling-in services – Welcome Wagon services or local area tours may be a part of your installation’s settling-in services. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.
• Foreign-born spouse support – Whether you have questions or concerns about immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to use local transportation, the relocation program provides assistance, classes and referrals. Services may vary by service and installation.
• Emergency assistance – From time to time, emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized housing flexibility options for eligible service members in receipt of PCS orders within the United States. This includes possible extended stays in government housing and early moving opportunities. For additional information and eligibility considerations, contact your military personnel office. Please note that application of these policies may vary across services.
• Spouse Reimbursement – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. This includes moves that cross U.S. state lines, as well as OCONUS to stateside moves. See this Military OneSource article on Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

The Relocation Readiness Program staff will do their best to help make your move to El Paso go smoothly. We offer The Fort Bliss Newcomers Orientations for Soldiers and spouses every Thursday at the Old Ironsides Museum located at 1735 Marshall Road beginning at 0900. Join us and meet the Fort Bliss Command. We also have the Newcomers' Scoop which is a two-day orientation and sightseeing tour which covers Fort Bliss and the El Paso Community. Our Lending Closet has a large assortment of basic household goods (Family kits, pots, pans, microwaves, card tables and chair sets, play pens, high chairs, etc.) that you can borrow for a period of 30-days until your household goods arrive. Extensions can be granted on a case-by-case basis.  We offer Conversational Spanish (beginner and intermediate) as well as Conversational English classes. We partner with Department of Homeland Security and we have an Immigration Officer at ACS every Wednesday from 0800-1430. On a quarterly basis we have Fiesta and Friends, a multi-cultural event. We also provide mandatory Sponsorship Training. Our Hearts Apart Program provides resources to assist Soldiers and their Families during a geographical separation or during deployments, which last more than 60-days. For more information call the Relocation Assistance Program at 915-569-4ACS (4227).

Installation Specific Information

Incoming personnel are encouraged to stop at the Army Community Service (ACS), Building 2494 Ricker Road immediately upon arrival at Fort Bliss. This will ensure the Service Member and family receive the most up-to-date information on the Fort Bliss-El Paso area before they begin searching for a home. Whether you are single or married, ACS has a Relocation Services that can help you. Other people that can help as well include sponsors, travel and transportation specialists, packers and movers, and a variety of other support personnel. By following these simple steps your relocation process should provide a rewarding experience.

Your orders are your move's most important document. Until you have them, you do not know what services you will be authorized to receive, or what your entitlements will be. Orders allow members to be eligible for a variety of financial allowances, relocation assistance, and options for moving and storing belongings. Some changes of duty stations or assignments may not authorize a move, so wait until you receive your orders before making any important commitments.

ACS is the best point of contact for relocation assistance. The ACS staff can provide up-to-date information about your receiving installation and community before you move. They can also offer valuable help in preparing for your move. We have many classes that can assist you throughout your integration to your new home. ACS offers a 2-day Spouses Orientation which is offered every other month and will provide a wealth of information for all who attend.

Whether you are single or have a family, the Sponsorship Program can make you move easier. After you receive orders, complete the Sponsor Notification Form. Be sure to list contact phone numbers if you are going to visit people in route. Your new Commanding Officer will try to assign a sponsor whose grade and personal situation is similar to yours. Your sponsor will then be able to relate to your needs and provide a personal view of life at the new location. Contact your sponsor as soon as possible and keep the new unit informed of any special needs or circumstances.

Separation procedures for the military are handled by Transition/Retirement Services. As soon as you receive your paperwork you need to contact one of the offices listed below. Service members separating from the military are authorized transition assistance from a variety of agencies, to include Army Community Services, Soldier for Life (formally known as Army Career and Alumni Program), as well as assistance in on-Post job hunting. The Information and Referral (I&R) office have the primary objective of linking the individual in need with the appropriate agency or service that will eliminate or alleviate that need. You will find I & R services in Building 2494, Army Community Service.