In 2005, the Pentagon recommended transforming Fort Bliss into a heavy armor training post, to include approximately 11,500 new troops from the U.S. 1st Armored Division – at that time stationed in Germany – as well as units from Fort Sill and Fort Hood. An estimated 15,918 military jobs and 384 civilian jobs were planned to be transferred to Fort Bliss, brought the total number of troops stationed at Fort Bliss under this alignment to a total of 33,500 by 2012. Officials from Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso were thrilled with the decision; the general mood of the city government was perfectly captured by 14 May edition of the El Paso Times, which boldly proclaimed "BLISS WINS BIG".
In 2005 the Pentagon recommended transforming Fort Bliss into a heavy armor training post to include approximately 11500 new troops from the US 1st Armored Division – at that time stationed in Germany – as well as units from Fort Sill and Fort Hood An estimated 15918 military jobs and 384 civilian jobs were planned to be transferred to Fort Bliss brought the total number of troops stationed at Fort Bliss under this alignment to a total of 33500 by 2012 Officials from Fort Bliss and the City of El Paso were thrilled with the decision; the general mood of the city government was perfectly captured by 14 May edition of the El Paso Times which boldly proclaimed "BLISS WINS BIG"