Gate Information

Trusted Traveler Program Reinstatement

On Sept. 15, 2022, the Trusted Traveler Program will be reinstated by order of the Senior Commander, Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, after a two-year absence due to COVID-19 safeguards.

The Fort Bliss Trusted Traveler Program allows Department of Defense Identification cardholders 18 or older to escort up to seven non-DoD ID cardholder visitors (except foreign nationals) within their own vehicle without completing sponsorship paperwork to obtain a pass. Those who exercise Trusted Traveler must escort their visitors while they are on Fort Bliss.

The Trusted Traveler Program does not eliminate the requirement for all individuals 18 or older to provide authorized identification. All non-DoD ID guests will be required to produce a REAL ID Act compliant form of identification or U.S. passport when entering a gate.

Trusted Traveler hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. After 10 p.m. all occupants of the vehicle must have an installation pass. Note: E-7 (SFC) and above, CW2s and above, and O-3 (CPT) and above can escort 24/7 at all ACPs.

Recreational Pass ***NEW***

Starting April 4, 2022, personnel not affiliated with Fort Bliss can obtain a one year recreational pass after passing a criminal history background check at the Buffalo Soldier Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 5400, 24 hours a day, or the Chaffee Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 2616, Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. The recreational pass allows the general public access to ceremonies, recreational and various Family and MWR activities on Fort Bliss. The recreational pass allows limited access only through Buffalo Soldier Gate, Cassidy Gate, and MSG Peña Gate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Passes are required for all passengers who are 16 years or older. Passes may only be issued to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents. To obtain a recreational pass, visitors are required to provide a Real-ID compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card, sign a letter of compliance/understanding, and undergo a criminal history background check. Personnel will be denied a pass if they have been convicted of a felony, have an active warrant, are on the national sex offender registry, and for the following misdemeanor convictions:  drugs within the last three years, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol/driving while impaired not reduced after formal charging within the last three years, contributing to the delinquency of a minor within the last three years, domestic violence, more than one conviction of assault and/or battery, more than one conviction of theft, more than one conviction of criminal trespass.

Visitors

DoD ID cardholders needing to sponsor guests for unrestricted (24/7) access may sponsor visitors in person at the Chaffee Gate Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 2616, Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m., or the Buffalo Soldier Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 5400, which is open 24/7. DoD ID cardholders can also sponsor visitors by submitting a Fort Bliss Installation Access Pass Application to usarmy.bliss.imcom-central.mbx.fort-bliss-installation-access@army.mil from a .mil email address. The application must be submitted no later than 72 hours prior to visitor arrival and no earlier than 14 days prior to visitor arrival. As long as the form is submitted 72 hours in advance, the DoD ID cardholder will not have to be present at the VCC with the visitor. Pass extensions are not authorized. If a visitor fails to obtain the pass by the requested end date, a new application will need to be submitted. DoD contractors are not authorized to sponsor personnel.

Contractors

Contractors not authorized to receive a DoD CAC must obtain a Fort Bliss AIE access pass or Fort Bliss AIE access badge. Contractors having a need to obtain access longer than 24 hours will have a contracting officer who will provide the contractual agreement with a cover memorandum signed by a verifying officer vouching for the need to possess a Fort Bliss AIE access badge. The expiration date of the badge will be the end date of the contract or visit, not to exceed 1 year from the date of issue.

Taxi drivers and ride-sharing drivers

All taxi drivers and ride-sharing drivers (such as Uber, Lyft, and so forth), food delivery drivers must present a driver's license and show proof of insurance, and all vehicles must be properly registered. Visitors, including taxi, ride-sharing vehicle drivers, and food delivery drivers must undergo identity proofing and vetting against NCIC-III to obtain a pass. Although drivers for ride-sharing services, taxis, or food delivery would then have a valid credential after proper vetting, their purpose would still need to be established for each visit, which can be accomplished by showing the ride sharing hail on a smartphone, identifying the person and building for the pickup, or the delivery invoice.
 

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Veterans and primary family caregivers who are eligible for expanded access to Commissary, Exchange and DFMWR facilities and have a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) must first visit the Fort Bliss Visitor Control Center for a background check and VHIC registration. The Visitor Control Center is located at Chaffee Gate, and open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

After a favorable vetting, the VHIC will be registered for continuous vetting through Fort Bliss Access Control Points. The VHIC will then serve as a valid form of ID to access to the installation and remain valid for a year. VHIC's may be renewed in the AIE system annually at the Visitor Control Center.  

VHIC card holders do not have Trusted Traveler status and cannot use a SELF-SCAN lane.

All vehicles and occupants entering Fort Bliss are subject to random searches/inspections, and a National Crime Information Center Interstate Identification Index (NCIC-III) background check. Those with derogatory information related to the Army Fitness Adjudication Standards will be denied access to the installation.