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Community access pass
Freedom Crossing cares about your well-being and safety. Before your visit, learn more about the latest passes and requirements to enter the installation. Don’t forget to ask about the new Community Access Pass!
Step 1
Arrive at a Fort Bliss Visitor Gate
ALL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES MUST ENTER THROUGH CHAFFEE GATE MON – FRI & BUFFALO SOLDIER GATE ON THE WEEKENDS.
Step 2
REQUEST A PASS
Fort Bliss requires civilian visitors to obtain a pass for access to the military base by presenting a valid U.S. Government Issued ID (driver’s license, passport, State ID, etc.) inside one of the Visitor Control Centers (VCC). Refer to types of entry passes below.
https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/gate-information
COMMUNITY ACCESS PASS
Starting Jan. 13, visitors not affiliated with Fort Bliss can obtain a Community Access 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 Community Access Pass allows the general public access to Fort Bliss. The Community Access Pass allows entry through all gates between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Passes are required for all passengers who are 18 years or older. Passes may only be issued to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Lawful Permanent Residents.
To obtain a Community Access Pass, visitors are required to provide a Real-ID compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card and undergo a criminal history background check. Visitors 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.
*NOTE: If you wish to convert your current Recreational Pass into a Community Access Pass, you must go to one of the Visitor Control Centers.
TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAM
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.
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.
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 & 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.
