Question: Billeting and Housing
Answer: SMC (Sergeants Major Course) Students only: All unaccompanied students live off-post. Students need to bring enough funds to set themselves up in a local apartment, acquire furniture, purchase an auto and auto insurance.
a. Authorized dependents listed on your ITO may accompany you, however, costs associated with family travel and living allowances in the US will be at your expense. After the SCO or you notify the IMSO of your flight information, we will reserve guest billeting for you and your authorized dependents for at least seven days while you secure local housing. A family of four (two adults and two children) staying temporarily at the Fort Bliss Inn will pay a daily rate of $29.00.
b. If guest billeting is not available on Fort Bliss, the IMSO will reserve temporary billeting off post. Comparable accommodations off post will be approximately $60.00 to $100.00 per day for a family of four or $60.00 for a single adult.
(1) Unaccompanied IMS. As a single student or if you initially arrive without your authorized dependents, you will temporarily reside in the BEQ. Current BEQ daily rate is $29.00. IMET students will not pay out of pocket for temporary BEQ but must come with funds so as to acquire an apartment.
(2) All students live off post. Most students living off post live in apartments within 10 to 25 minutes drive from USASMA.
(3) Corporate Rate structures at several local apartment complexes greatly reduce living costs. Corporate rates allow for a single price for rent, utilities, furniture, bedroom linens, bathroom linens, dishes, silverware, microwave, kitchen applicances, TV set, cable TV service, some complexes include DSL computer connections, and some include a washer and dryer. Corporate rate structures range from $1,100 per month for a one-bedroom up to approximately $1,800 for a three-bedroom. (These prices adjust slightly each year for inflation. Otherwise, there are a few furnished apartments located off post, most apartments are unfurnished. Rental furniture will cost approximately $100.00 to $400.00 depending on your needs, living style, and desires. Most apartments will come equipped with a stove or range, refrigerator, and a dishwasher but no washer or dryers. Rent for a two bedroom apartment varies from $500.00 to $1,000.00, and $600.00 to $1,200.00 for a three-bedroom apartment or home. In most cases, you will have to pay the first and possibly the last month’s rent as a deposit before moving in.
Question: Religious and National Holidays
Answer: USASMA can authorize you to observe two religious or national holidays specified and agreed upon by your country and the U.S. Government. However, you are solely responsible for all classes and assignments missed. Permission is authorized based upon academic standing and student success within the respective course.
Question: Driving
Answer: There are many requirements associated with owning and operating a vehicle in the US. If you are single or accompanied by authorized dependents, you will need to purchase or rent an automobile while training at USASMA. You can purchase a used automobile for approximately $2,000.00 to $10,000.00 depending on you and your authorized dependents’ individual needs and tastes. You must have a driver’s license to operate the type of vehicle you choose for personal transportation. The vehicle must be insured and registered as noted below.
Country & International Driver’s License. Personnel wishing to drive in Texas must obtain and bring a valid country and international drivers license for the type of vehicle you anticipate driving in the US. Texas driver”s license can not be obtained while students are in training due to changes in the Driving Laws unless training is one year or longer in duration. These licenses will allow you to rent a vehicle. Most insurance companies will accept an international driver’s license.
State of Texas Driver’s License. If training is longer than one year and wish to acquire a State of Texas driver’s license, the examination costs $24.00. It consists of three parts: a written examination, an eye or vision test, and a driving test. Once you pass the examination, your license is valid for four years. The other states will honor or allow you to operate a vehicle with a license issued by one of the other states in the US.
Insurance. Insurance for vehicles is expensive. It is illegal to operate a vehicle without insurance on Fort Bliss or in the State of Texas. You must purchase property damage and liability insurance in all states. The State of Texas requires automobile liability insurance in minimum amounts of $20,000/ $40,000 public liability and $15,000 property damage. Your insurance will cost you approximately $60.00 to $100.00 per month. You will be able to obtain insurance from a number of local insurance companies in the El Paso area. If you finance a vehicle on a loan, your lender may require you to purchase additional insurance. All students will be required to have insurance coverage whether renting or owning a vehicle.
Inspections and Registration. You must have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a state safety inspection before you can register and license a vehicle in the State of Texas and on Fort Bliss. Once you show proof that you have these documents, you will receive a State of Texas license plate. You will then register your vehicle on Fort Bliss, Texas at the vehicle registration office who will give you military installation stickers that you will place on your vehicle windshield. These military installation stickers will then allow for easier access onto a military installation.
NOTE: Driving in Mexico is highly discourage and not recommended. National licenses may not be accepted in Mexico and may present problems with local insurance companies.
Question: Medical Care.
Answer: William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) is a general hospital that offers a full range of medical services. Authorized dependents may seek medical treatment on a space available basis. All dependents need medical out-patient and in-patient coverage either through insurance or agreements between home country and the U.S. Government. Most students overlook the need for in-patient insurance. Students needing medical treatment will use the Health Promotion Office located at USASMA before being referred to the Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic during duty hours while at Fort Bliss. You may seek medical attention at WBAMC for scheduled medical appointments, after duty hours, and for emergencies.
Medical care in the US is very expensive. In the event that you require medical care, you will need to find the medical funding authorization information on your ITO and furnish it to the medical care facility when you report for medical attention. The ITO will show your medical funding authorization under “Conditions/ Medical Services”. Authorized dependent medical coverage is sometimes afforded at your Country’s cost and will be so annotated on your ITO by the SCO. Otherwise, SCOs will require students with authorized dependents to show proof of dependent medical insurance prior to issuing an ITO. Our IMSO staff will inspect dependent medical insurance paperwork to ensure compliance during your stay at USASMA. Student medical costs are most usually covered by the FMS or IMET programs or by your country.
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION: DSCA Policy Memorandum supersedes DSCA Policy Memorandum 07- 27. Use the new policy concurrently with DSCA Policy Memorandum 09-42, Medical Screening of IMS, Civilians and Authorized Dependents. Prior to issuing ITOs for attending students, health insurance documentation must be digitally sent or facsimiled to the IMSO, USASMA at: atssbi@conus.army.mil or DSN 621-9810. IMSO will notify the SCO or CPM upon review and acceptance of insurance prior to publishing an ITO.
Medical and Physical Examination. You will report to Fort Bliss, Texas with complete medical records and recent medical examination in English. Additionally, if you are over 40 years of age, you must have a copy of a current EKG and a Lipid 2-profile. A Lipid 2-profile is a measurement of high fat content in the blood system such as cholesterol and triglycerides that are major causes of heart disease. If you report with no medical or physical examination paperwork in English you will have to complete them during your inprocessing or you may be sent home.
Ensure IMS reports to USASMA with completed DD Form 2808.
Question: What should I complete prior to arriving to USASMA?
Answer:
- Attain an English Comprehension Level of 80% and attend Specialized English Training if English is not your official language.
- Start a vigorous physical fitness training program. Complete and mail the following required forms to the USASMA IMSO as soon as possible:
- DD Form 1396-1 (Student Biography).
- Photo of you and your authorized dependents.
- Flight information (Airline names, flight numbers, times and dates)
Obtain and bring the following with you to USASMA:
- Sufficient funds for the first 30 days of initial expenses.
- Visa and passport for you and your authorized dependents.
- Country and international driver’s license.
- Telephone numbers and addresses of family or friends to contact in case of an emergency while you are at USASMA.
- A complete medical and physical examination.
- Your International Immunization Certificate.
- Your dependents’ International Immunization Certificates.
- Your authorized (children) dependents’ school records.
- Physical fitness training, duty, informal, and formal dress uniforms.
- Civilian informal (casual) and dress clothing to include sports jacket or suit with tie and appropriate footwear.
IMS | NCOL CoE | USASMA 