Fort Bliss sits at the base of the majestic Franklin Mountain Range in El Paso, Texas. This massive installation is located at the westernmost corner of Texas on the Rio Grande River — just across the border from Mexico. The 1st Armored Division, also known as “Old Ironsides,” is the largest resident and also the Army’s oldest and most renowned armored unit. Boasting the biggest training area in the United States, Fort Bliss provides the space for Artillery, Armor, and Infantry units to hone their warfighting skills. In addition to the dynamic mountain terrain, Fort Bliss also claims a staggering 1.2 million acres of desert outfitted for training, replete with dozens of mock villages and cities. The Brigade Modernization Command, the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, and Joint Task Force – North also call Fort Bliss home.

The history of this southwestern border town dates back to around 13,000 years ago when prehistoric indigenous groups and Native Americans inhabited small villages in the valley and local mountains. The Spanish later colonized the area on their way to Santa Fe. Mexico then laid claim to it when it won its independence from Spain, and it was ultimately annexed to the United States in the mid-1800s. Today, El Paso remains an important cultural crossroads between the United States and Mexico and is one of the busiest international crossing points in the U.S. El Paso embodies the American Southwest with its confluence of the Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultures.

Often referred to as “The Crossroads of North America,” El Paso’s inhabitants are as diverse as the geography. English and Spanish are often used interchangeably, but don’t worry—you won’t need a translator in most places. As with any large city, you’ll have crime and congestion to work around, but urban life also allows for some great amenities like shopping, fantastic restaurants, and top-notch entertainment. El Paso is host to the Sun Bowl, the second oldest consecutive college football competition (after the Rose Bowl). University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) is another source of pride for the city. The El Paso International Airport and Amtrak’s Union Depot train station also provide ample opportunity for travel.

In terms of geography, the Franklin Mountain Range rises dramatically from the Chihuahuan Desert and sharply divides the city into east and west. El Paso del Norte translates to “The Pass of the North” and is a crucial crossing point through two towering mountain ranges. The nickname “Sun City” is apt as El Paso gets 302 days of sun annually. Rain is a rarity—it is a desert, after all—but there is a “monsoon season” during the months of July, August, and September that can produce some severe storms and flash floods.  High winds can generate sand and dust storms during the nine-month-long dry season, so keep an eye on those patio umbrellas!  

El Pasoans are generally friendly with a gracious attitude towards the abundant military, federal, and government workers that make up a significant slice of the region’s workforce and economy. The DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the FBI, and many other agencies have offices in El Paso.

Fort Bliss itself boasts top-notch amenities. Freedom Crossing is a posh outdoor mall — the first of its kind on a U.S. military installation — that provides your typical military retailers along with an impressive array of civilian shops and restaurants. A 10-screen stadium seating theater, play area, and restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Texas Roadhouse will have you thinking twice about dogging on-post shopping! Fitness centers, pools, and mostly renovated housing make living on post a popular choice. There are also many wonderful and distinct areas surrounding Fort Bliss where military families find affordable homes in beautiful neighborhoods with great vibes!