How is Fort Drum as a duty station?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 22:50:16 -0500

Alpha Company, 41ST BEB, 2D BCT, 10th mountain division

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 1:06 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 01:06:03 -0500

Be prepared for extremely cold and snowy winters. 10th Mountain is good though, you'll have the chance to do stuff there you won't see elsewhere.

Response by SFC Luis (Coolwhip) Ochoa made Nov 13 at 2019 6:58 AM

SFC Luis (Coolwhip) Ochoa — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 06:58:41 -0500

Cold AF!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 7:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 07:10:40 -0500

You’ll enjoy it. Evans Mills has Walmart, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts and their version of Ranger Joes. The base is rather small compared to other places, quite a large training area. Syracuse is about a 45 minute drive, Rochester and Niagara Falls is within the range you can travel. Explore the adirondacks and take a trip to Alex Bay, you will love the scenery!!

Response by SrA John Monette made Nov 13 at 2019 7:51 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 07:51:11 -0500

any duty station is a good (or bad) as you make it

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 13 at 2019 9:05 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:05:50 -0500

I liked it. You're going to 2nd BCT it seems? That's who I was with. Just be prepared for the field and JRTC... A Lot. You're constantly on a glide path for predeployment/STX/Convoy Live Fire. So in preparation you'l have COMMEX, Platoon Mountain Peak, Company Mountain Peak(s), BN Mountain Peaks, Brigade Mountain Peak, Division Mountain Peak, followed by JRTC, and probably Convoy Live Fire/STX lanes. After this you'll either deploy, or start the whole process over again. You will NOT be bored.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 1:30 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:30:47 -0500

Left there in April. Was not a fan of the location but I liked 10th MTN. Also enjoyed going to Ottawa and Niagara Falls. But I would never go back.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 13 at 2019 2:12 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 14:12:31 -0500

You're going Commando! (Unless they changed BDE callsign in last 20 years... Which is highly likely.)
Fott Drum is AWESOME if you like the outdoors... Camping, hunting, fishing, even boating in the summer. If you like big city culture like concerts, sporting events, or comedy, be prepared to spend a lot of time traveling, settle for second or third rate events, or oftentimes both.

When I was in 2nd BDE with 4-31 (Polar Bears!) In the 90s, it was a great unit to be in. 2nd BDE was far and away the best BDE in post (and 4-31 as far and away the best BN in the BDE... just sayin'). Chain of Command worked hard to take care of their Soldiers. And that went all the way from team leader to CG. I hope that is still the same.

It is mucking COLD there. But you learn how to deal with it, both psychologically and thermally. The training is great, the training areas are diverse, and if it is still around, the light fighters school can teach ya some good skills.

The biggest downside, honestly, is the aformentioned lack of big city culture. But if that ain't your thang, probably one of the best duty stations in the lower 48.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 7:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 19:34:43 -0500

North country is, as North Country does. Very cold winters high in the next 10 days is 43. great place if you like the outdoors. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, go out to Saranac Lake to try luge or bobsled. Fishing, Hunting (family sent me an article last month about a woman bagging a 470 lb black bear) Dirt track races out in Ogdensburg at frogtown. Or you could be one of the guys that sits in his barracks and drinks away a great opportunity. Amusement Park at Lake George. Theme park Santa's workshop in North Pole. Can't tell you much about Watertown itself, the only time we went there was for school cloths.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 9:44 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 21:44:29 -0500

That was my first unit (2008-2011). We were Alpha 2d BSTB during my time there. However, our history has alway fell under 41st as that is who we belonged to before moving to the BSTB. During my time there the main mission was route clearance, not sure if that has changed since. Prepare to train and deploy. As a PVT you will be mastering your 10-level skills and be assigned to your team and equipment. That Brigade, Battalion, and company have a lot of history so start learning it now. Prepare for cold winters and lots of snow.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 10:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 22:35:29 -0500

forgot to mention that i’m a 12b (combat engineer)

Response by SPC Steven Nihipali made Nov 14 at 2019 2:35 AM

SPC Steven Nihipali — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 02:35:45 -0500

I've never been but have buddies who have and currently are. Wives hate it, kids love it sometimes, politics suck ass (it is in NY no matter how you look at it), training is some of the best in the world and leadership is only as good as you make it

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 6:08 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 06:08:10 -0500

Im currently in 2nd BCT, you will love your Company. Just come to Drum with a positive attitude and remember why you join the Army. Because at 10th MTN, you will be in the field and it will be cold. But loving it so far.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 7:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 19:17:32 -0500

I just left 41st. I enjoyed my time there!

Response by PFC Suzan Workman made Nov 15 at 2019 3:35 AM

PFC Suzan Workman — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 03:35:09 -0500

Its been a while...the winters are really cold... and it snows a lot... you are in the field and NTC and JRTC a lot... its one of the most highly deployable bases... you have to be able to ship out with an hours notice

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2019 8:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Nov 2019 08:16:33 -0500

Cold

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 11:18 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 23:18:29 -0500

I live in Lewiston New York right next to the Canadian bridge it only sucks in winter but in summer there’s a lot to do if you go visit the city’s the area your in kinda sucks probably not what you pictured New York being like but like I said there’s a lot to do especially in nicer weather