5 Visitor Control Centers open on Fort Bliss Aug. 9; passes required to get on post

Passes will be required to get on Fort Bliss starting Sunday, Aug. 9 when five new Visitor Control Centers (VCCs) are opened.

All people visiting Fort Bliss will need to obtain a visitors pass at one of the following VCCs before entering the installation. Included are hours of operation of each VCC:

Buffalo Soldier, open 24 Hours/7 Days a Week
Chaffee, open 24 Hours/7 Days a Week Old Ironsides (Global Reach), 24 Hours/7 Days a Week Sheridan, open 5:00 am – 9:00 pm, Monday – Friday Biggs Airfield Main (Sergeant Major Blvd), open 5:00 am – 9:00 pm, Monday – Friday

Visitor passes are good for a maximum of 30 days.

The new restrictions for getting onto Fort Bliss will not affect this weekend’s Freedom Crossing concert. To access Fort Bliss for the concert, show a valid Driver’s License and U.S. plated vehicle at the Buffalo Soldier Gate (by El Paso International Airport) or Chaffee Gate (off HWY 601) seven days a week, 24-hours a day. The Sheridan Gate (off HWY 54) is also open to civilians from 5 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday – Friday. All adults in the vehicle are required to present identification at the gate.

Other rules for entering Fort Bliss:

All drivers requiring entry to the installation must possess a valid state issued driver’s license, vehicle registration document, and proof of insurance for a pass to be issued.
All vehicles are subject to random security inspections. All DOD ID card holders (military, dependent, retiree, and DOD/DA civilians) are authorized to escort those that do not possess a DOD ID card. Individuals being escorted must possess a valid form of government issued ID card (state driver’s license or ID card) and present it when entering at the Access Control Point. If an individual does not possess a valid form of government issued ID, they cannot be escorted and must obtain a pass at a VCC. DOD ID card holders escorting visitors assume responsibility for the escorted visitors. The authorized escort must remain with their guests at all times while they are on the installation.

The following questions were answered by Fort Bliss officials on the official Fort Bliss Garrison Facebook page.

1. Will vehicle stickers be required for DOD ID card holders? Vehicle stickers will not be required.

2. Will the 30 day pass be good at any VCC ACP or just at the Issuing VCC ACP? Once visitors have been properly vetted and issued a pass at one of the installation VCCs, they will be able to access any installation ACP for the duration of the pass.

3. Will online registration be offered? Online registration will not be offered. Visitors must be issued a pass from one of the installation Visitor Control Centers. Issuance of a pass requires specific vetting that can only be completed at the VCC.