Fort Drum

Established:1984
Base Type: Army

About

Fort Drum is a U.S. Army base near the northern New York border, in Jefferson County. It holds a population of around 13,500, and covers over 107,000 acres of land. It’s known for its frigid temperatures, which can drop as low as -30 degrees fahrenheit in the winter, and the landscape is often covered in snow.

The main unit at Fort Drum is the 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry division in the U.S. Army that specializes in mountain warfare. The division was originally activated in 1943 and remains the largest military unit with specific expertise on combat operations in mountainous terrain and arctic conditions. Since 2001, it’s been deployed more than any other unit in the United States military; with over 20 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Most recently, the unit has been spending time in Iraq training Iraqi Security Forces.

The official history behind Fort Drum stretches all the way back to 1908, when it was a military training facility known as Pine Camp. A year later, the land was officially purchased for the construction of a permanent Army installation. Although, at that point, the Army had been in the North County of New York for a hundred years, defending against smuggling between the U.S.-Canada border; a harbor nearby was the main port for U.S. naval activity during the War of 1812.

Although Pine Camp had already been a military installation for decades, it didn’t receive much foot traffic until 1935. Then, the largest peacetime training maneuvers the U.S. military had ever seen were conducted in the Pine Plains. Almost 37,000 soldiers traveled from across the Northeast to participate. As with most Army bases, Pine Camp was scheduled to be expanded when the U.S. entered World War II. The government purchased 75,000 acres of surrounding land, which displaced five villages and dozens of schools and churches. $20 million later, a whole city had been built to house soldiers training at Pine Camp. Three main divisions were posted there: the 4th Armored Division, 45th Infantry Division, and 5th Armored Division. Pine Camp also served as a prisoner of war camp, hosting captured Italian and German troops.

In 1951, Pine Camp was renamed “Camp Drum,” after Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum — who served as the Army’s first chief of staff during World War I. In 1959, Agent Orange testing began at Drum. In 1974, the site was officially named “Fort Drum,” its name today.

The 10th Mountain Division — then known as the 10th Light Infantry Division — moved to Fort Drum in 1984. More recently, Fort Drum was considered as an Eastern U.S. missile defense site, and in 2014 a biofuel power plant was built to provide the base’s energy. In 2015, Diana M. Holland was promoted to general; the first woman to gain such a title at Fort Drum, and also the first to serve as a deputy commanding general for a light infantry division in the Army.

The Guthrie Ambulatory Health Clinic stands as the only medical facility on Fort Drum. Housing on the base is in high demand as the area sees an increasing number of families moving there; so be aware to get on a waiting list early if you’re PCSing to Fort Drum. Families also be aware that New York has pretty strict regulations on dog breeds, especially those deemed as “aggressive,” so research the policies before moving your dog to the base. Prime attractions near Fort Drum include the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario, and the Adirondack Mountains, as well as the Thousands Islands region. There are no schools located on Fort Drum, so children on post will attend school in the Indian River Central School District and the Carthage Central School District.

If you’re PCSing to Fort Drum or have a loved one stationed there, be assured: It’s a reputable and historic post that’s unparalleled in its training. There are many resources and support you can find from military families just like you.

Gate and Hours

Ft. Drum has four 24-hour gates. The Iraqi Freedom Gate (main gate) is just off I-784 to the northwest of the base. The Mt. Belvedere gate is to the southwest, near the town of Black River. The Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield and the Gas Alley Gates are both on the eastern side of the base along NY Highway 3, near the downs of Deferiet and Herrings.

Iraqi Freedom Gate (North Gate): 24/7 (it’s Fort Drum’s main gate)
Mount Belvedere Gate: 24/7
Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield (WSAAF) Gate: 24/7
Gas Alley Gate: 24/7
Black River Gate (Nash Blvd): Monday-Friday 0600-0800
45th Infantry Division Drive Gate: Monday-Friday 0600-0800

Quick Reference

Chaplain and Religious Services
Chapel Drive
(315) 772-5591

Dining Facilities
1BCT
Bldg 10305
(315) 774-0177

2 BCT
Bldg 10150
(315) 772-6179

10SBDE
Bldg P795
(315) 774-4967

10CAB
Bldg 20350
(315) 774-1599

Education Center
4300 Camp Hale Rd
(315) 772-6878

Equal Opportunity Office
4th Armored Division Drive, Bldg 10182
(315) 772-9174

Family Advocacy
Conway Rd, Bldg P-4330
(315) 772-6556

Military & Family Readiness Assistant Program
10th Mtn Div HHBn
(315) 772-8141

1 st BCT
(315) 774-3622

2nd BCT
(315) 772-3732

10th Aviation Brigade
(315) 774-1061

10th Sustainment Brigade
(315) 772-0964

3-85 MTN IN (WTU)
(315) 772-4954

Public Affairs Office
10012 S. Riva Ridge Loop
(315) 772-5461

Fire Emergency Service
(315) 772-4702

Finance Office
10720 Mount Belvedere Boulevard
(315) 772-5529

Housing Services Office
10720 Mount Belvedere Boulevard
(315) 772-9397

Legal/JAG
Mount Belvedere Boulevard
(315) 772-5261

Post Office
10720 Mount Belvedere Boulevard
(315) 772-5220

Base Surroundings

Honor the Mountain Monument
34 Thompson Park, Thompson Park,
Watertown, NY 13601

Soldiers and Sailors Civil War Monument
Public Square Historic District,
Watertown, NY 13601

Sci-Tech Museum of Northern New York
154 Stone St,
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-1340

Jefferson County Historical Society
228 Washington St,
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-3491

Burrville Cider Mill
18176 Rt. 156/Plank Rd,
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-7292

New York State Zoo at Thompson Park
1 Thompson Park,
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-6180

Paddock Art & Antiques
1 Public Sq,
Watertown, NY 13601