PCSing to Ft Drum (General)

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:54:18 -0500

In July I'll be headed to the 210 BSB in Fort Drum. I was just wondering if anyone had some guidance, wisdom, tips or tricks (other than the fact that it's REALLY cold, I get that a lot =o)  ).<div> </div><div>Thanks in advance.</div>

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2013 11:53 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:53:07 -0500

Ft Drum is really not that bad, especially if you like the outdoors. I spent a few years there back in 05-07. The snow and cold can be a pain. But I had fun there.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 1:20 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 01:20:55 -0500

Not sure how this will turn out but I will cut and paste part of the sponsorship letter my wife and send out to our newbees.  If the space tasks it there is a lot of good info in there.  I hope you like snow.

Here are some local
websites for the local cities/districts (the towns of Philadelphia, Evans Mills
and Calcium didn't have websites but are within 10 miles of Fort Drum): 
 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://carthageny.com/why-carthage</a> (6 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.citywatertown.org/</a> (11-14 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.sacketsharborny.com/</a> (26 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.townoftheresany.com/</a> (15 miles from Fort Drum)<o:p></o:p>

Housing in the area is
somewhat of an issue and not easy to come by.  The wait list to get on
post housing can be rather long (probably not for E-9 housing) and the rentals
off post are hit and miss.  Some are great deals while others seem great
until winter comes and you pay $1000-$1500 a month to heat your home.  The area is rather old which also means that
off post housing is old too.  Natural Gas is the most inexpensive heat
source while we were there.  There were
several new housing developments started as my family and I were leaving.  As far as schools go, we live in Carthage
School District.  I am told and hear quite often that Carthage is the
school district you want and the best in the area.  They also offer
private schools, mainly Catholic, but you do not have to be Catholic to enroll
or utilize. <o:p></o:p>

Here is the website for
the Carthage school district:<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.carthagecsd.org/district.cfm</a> <o:p></o:p>

Here is 1 Private
Catholic School in Carthage (they are reasonable and assist with costs and
books-I was quoted $2100 yearly or $210 monthly with deductions for additional
children): 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://c-augustinian.org/administrative/tuition.html</a> <o:p></o:p>

Here is the website for
Indian River School district (which serves those that live on Fort Drum,
Philadelphia, Antwerp, Calcium, and Theresa) this school is heavily populated:<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.ircsd.org/schools.cfm</a> <o:p></o:p>

I personally would not
want to live in Watertown, but that is my preference.  Overcrowded and
certain areas have high drug and crime rates.  If you live in Watertown,
you also are in the Watertown school district: <o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.watertowncsd.org/</a><o:p></o:p>

Winters here are very
long and very cold, so be prepared.  It usually is 8-9 months long with a
LOT of snow.  If you buy or rent a house, ask if it is in the “Snow
Belt.”  The Snow Belt receives MUCH more
snow than the surrounding areas. 
Temperatures get well below zero at times and the summers are very mild
not getting above 82 most times.  Most off post homes do not have air-conditioning,
a fan is usually sufficient.  On-post
homes offer window units in the older housing and central heat/AC in the new
homes.  During the winter if you live off post, you will notice that
heating cost can become costly depending on the type of heat you have. 
Most do what is called "budget plans" if you have National Grid. 
 
If you are an outdoor person, then there are a lot of things to do here,
hockey, skiing, snowmobiles, fishing, camping, etc.  You have many Amish
communities as well and a ton of farmers markets, craft fairs and tons of
wineries with tours and tastings available.  
 
Shopping on post has its challenges, it is VERY crowded, and parking at the PX
and Commissary is hard to come by.  Gas prices are higher here than
in other states, so prepare for that as well.  NY has one of the higher
taxes at 7-8% as well as a tobacco and alcohol tax (known as the SIN tax) that
is in addition to the sales tax.  So say, if a person smokes Marlboro Cigarettes,
1 pack is just over $11.  You also have deposits for canned and bottled
sodas, drinks water, etc..5 cents per bottle/can, they have redemption centers
to turn them into when they are empty to get deposit back and recycle. 
 
Here is the Medical Clinic on Fort Drum, you have option of using them (Tricare
Prime military treatment facility) <a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.drum.army.mil/Newcomers/Pages/AccesstoHealthCare.aspx</a> or you also have option of using Tricare Prime
Remote (which uses off base Dr at no cost).  Here is the website for you
to compare which is better for you. 
(NOTE: On-post health facility has LONG waits and Appointments are hard to
get for family members):<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/PlanComparison/Results.do?plan_1=TRICARE+Prime&plan_2=TRICARE+Prime+Remote</a><o:p></o:p>

Here are the Child and
Youth Services website (there are more than 7 daycare centers on fort drum): <o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.drummwr.com/ChildandYouthServices.htm</a> 
 
I know this is probably a LOT of things to read and sites to look at, but just
a few things my spouse says many spouses ask about.  <o:p></o:p>

 
Here is also a website we used while locating a place to live, it shows crimes
and where and what the crimes were:  <a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.spotcrime.com/ny/watertown</a><o:p></o:p>

 <div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://carthageny.com/images/stories/Coughlin-Logo2.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://carthageny.com/why-carthage" target="_blank">Why Choose Carthage</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce exists to promote the businesses and local economy of the greater Carthage Area. We offer many member benefits and work hard to unite our blended community of militar...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"></div></div>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2013 3:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 03:58:55 -0500

SSG Hasbun, what I did was key in my new unit and follow it, after that I sent a connection to a few of the people and started popping off all kinds of questions.  I connected with some excellent NCOs who provided me with a wealth of information. 

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2013 10:03 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 10:03:05 -0500

My best piece of advice for Drum: try to get a house on post! The waiting list is usally pretty long, because housing in Watertown and surrounding locales is atrocious. The best housing off-post is in Carthage, and that is not a drive you want to make every morning...especially in the winter!<div> </div><div>The units are great at Drum, but for my money, the area sucked. I loved going to work though, and that's the only unit I've been in where I can truly say every day I loved it.</div>

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 19 at 2014 9:20 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 21:20:06 -0400

It's a nice place, or at least it was when I was there back in 92-93. I went there after a tour in Korea, figuring it was a quiet place, then the 10th was deployed for Hurricane Andrew and then Somalia. At that time, the post was one of the more modern posts. all the barracks were new. except for my post WWII BOQ.

The area around Drum is quite serene, a lot of farm land on the way up from the NY turnpike. Sacket's Harbor was a nice getaway. You're close to Canada, a few hours from Syracuse or Niagara Falls.

Enjoy LT and thanks for your service!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 10:23 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:23:59 -0400

What would you like to know about Fort Drum? I am here now.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 19 at 2014 10:27 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:27:16 -0400

Robert gave some great input. I haven't been stationed there myself but noticed we have over 4,400 past and present RP members on the Fort Drum page. Also, quite a few inbound via PCS. That would be a great place to connect with members of your future unit and ask some more detailed questions. I've done this myself with a few locations and everyone has been very helpful.

Fort Drum, NY | RallyPoint

Join military members and veterans currently at Fort Drum, NY. Learn more about opportunities in the area and build your network.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 12:56 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:56:57 -0400

Get used to snow. They have lake effect snow there which has numerous advantages if you are an outdoor enthusiast.

One great thing is that you have easy access to the finger lakes, Albany, the Mohawk Valley and, if you are adventurous, you can drive east into New Hampshire and Vermont to view the fall foliage.

Take SR 7 east out of Albany to Bennington Vermont. You will pass through old towns that look like they have not changed for a century. You will swear you have found Sleepy Hollow and will expect Ichbod Crane to go riding buy.

I also enjoyed Irondequoit, NY on the shores of Lake Ontario.

There are tons of things to see and do. But then, I am an old fart and enjoy history and scenery and stuff.

Try his as an experiment: Whenever you visit a restaurant order a Sweet Tea (or grits). It is worth it to see the expression on their faces.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 1:12 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:12:34 -0400

Congrats on your commission, Ma'am!

I was at Fort Drum from 2/08 to 12/09. The post itself is beautiful. During 08 and 09, they totally updated many facilities, such as the Commissary and the PX Mall. When I got there in 08, both of those places were small and lackluster. When I got back from my Iraq deployment, everything was new.

On-post housing has been expanded as well. When I left at the end of 09, they were building housing everywhere they could.

Down on the strip in Watertown, there is a decent mall (Salmon Run), chain stores, and pretty much every restaurant you can think of. Right outside the Main Gate is Bradley's supply store where you can get everything military-related (sewing included). There is also a Super Wal-Mart, a new hotel, and the Chinese buffet that everyone goes to.

As has been said, it snows FEET, not inches. Get used to it. There's really nothing else to say about that.

As for OPTEMPO, yes, 10th Mountain deploys a lot. So much so that there is a Rapid Deployment Facility at the airfield (Wheeler-Sack) where everyone processes out and back in for deployments.

Administrative In and Outprocessing is done mostly at Clark Hall, which is a one-stop (except for CIF) shop for in and outprocessing, which makes those processes that much easier.

So it's not a bad post, it's just in a really awful place. Best of luck Ma'am!

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Jun 20 at 2014 9:17 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:17:46 -0400

Ma'am,

Try not to let others opinions influence your opinion on any duty station that you may go to. Any place you go is what you make of it. As long as you go into a new unit/duty station with an open mind and willing to be a team player you will succeed and be happy no matter where you go. Congrats on your commission.

P.S. Make sure you find a squared away Senior NCO to help you in your journey. He or she will be a great asset and influence for the rest of your career. Good luck!
Regards,

SFC Rice

Response by SSG(P) James S. made Jul 29 at 2014 5:17 AM

SSG(P) James S. — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 05:17:39 -0400

http://www.drum.army.mil/Pages/index.aspx great website to help you out

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2014 8:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:43:29 -0400

I loved Fort Drum, it does get cold there but it manageable once you get use to it. It is a great duty station to be at as a light fighter

Response by MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 10:55 PM

MSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 22:55:08 -0500

So I stumbled upon your thread while looking for information about Drum. I know its pretty old but how are you liking it? I'll be there in June with the wife and 2 kids (18 & 16). Any advice?

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Apr 25 at 2015 7:59 PM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 19:59:17 -0400

It's been to long 1984-85. The 10th was just taking over the place when I PCSed from there so I know things have gotten better. Beautiful place, I know you will like it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2016 8:27 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:27:50 -0400

Get out and enjoy the surroundings as much as you can. There are going to be a lot of people that talk down about it, but I guarantee you they weren't the get out and do something type. Lake Placid is a short drive and there are also a lot of great hiking/biking trails around the area. Hunting and fishing is always good too, the salmon run is amazing. Yes, it does get cold but if you have kids they are going to have a blast. Take it for what it is and make of it what you can. i was there for three winters and I loved it.