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Saturday, May 25, 2013 | 5:14 a.m.

Posted: 4:25 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013

Texas Congresswoman: Fort Bliss has toxic command climate

Fort Bliss responds to allegations

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By Gina Benitez

FORT BLISS, Texas —

A Texas congresswoman says Fort Bliss has a toxic command climate and calls out the post's efforts on treating those with PTSD.

Four Fort Bliss soldiers complained to Congress, which grabbed the attention of Rep. Kay Granger.

The Republican represents the area near Fort Worth, far from El Paso.

Two of the four angry complaining soldiers are from her district.

"We appreciate her service as a Congresswoman, we appreciate her care for our soldiers and veterans," said Maj. General Pittard, commanding general of Fort Bliss.

Fort Bliss officials told KFOX 14 one of these soldiers asked to be reassigned closer to home -- a reassignment Fort Bliss recommended but the Department of the Army denied.

Another soldier claimed he wanted medical separation from the Army and was denied by Fort Bliss command.

Fort Bliss said this isn't true.

Officials from Fort Bliss said the soldier missed his medical evaluation appointment, then was sentenced to jail time.

Another soldier brought claims of mistreatment within his chain of command.

He's been convicted of crimes in federal court and in the process of being separated from the Army.

Fort Bliss officials said out of the four claims, one of them was legitimate.

Those being from Sgt. Allen L. Hill. Many of his claims deal with medical paperwork he said was improperly processed.

"We could have done much better with Sgt. Hill. In fact, his entire chain of command, from him to squad leaders all the way through his company commander, have either been reprimanded or removed for actions that could have been done much better," said Maj. General Pittard, commanding general of Fort Bliss.
New numbers came out Friday, showing Fort Bliss has the lowest amount of suicides of any military installation in the country.

"In 2012, there were five. Four confirmed and one is still under investigation."

Bliss says they've expanded how they treat those coming back from combat with traumatic brain injury. Post officials said they've come a long way in the past five years.

"When they get back here to Fort Bliss, we have a comprehensive traumatic brain injury clinic now that combines primary care providers, behavioral health providers, neurologists, very detailed imaging studies," Colonel Michael S. Heimall, commander of William Beaumont Army Medical Center.

And it has resources 24/7 for any soldier looking for any sort of help.

Pittard said there have been all sorts of visits from senators, congressmen, even President Barack Obama. He's asking Congresswoman Granger to post.

"But we invite her, as well as all elected officials to come see for themselves here at Fort Bliss. At this time, she has not been here at Fort Bliss but we hope she visits," said Pittard.

Pittard said there have been all sorts of visits from senators, congressmen, even president obama. He's asking Congresswoman Granger to the post.

KFOX 14 reached out to Congresswoman Granger to no avail.

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