Fort Drum

• Fort Drum is experiencing rapid growth. The overall housing market in the local Fort Drum area can be challenging with deployments and re-deployments greatly effecting occupancy rates. New housing construction continues. Newly arriving (PCS) Soldiers can expect to have a more difficult time finding available housing, if seeking a larger home, as three, four and five bedroom apartments are not always readily available. Plan to spend more time finding an appropriate home and be prepared to broaden your considerations to include purchasing a home and looking at rentals further out from Fort Drum. Returning Families for re-deployments should check early for availability, and be prepared to return early to secure available homes. Contact Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes at 315-955-6644 or Army Community Housing (ACH) at (315)772-6883 or DSN 772-6883 for assistance with your off post housing search.
• In the winter, Fort Drum does get below-zero degree temperatures from time to time. If arriving during winter months make sure you have warm, heavy clothing with you including winter jackets, snow boots, thick gloves or mittens, and hats.
• If arriving during the winter months be sure to bring a snowbrush and ice scraper with you or purchase one immediately upon arrival.
• New York State law requires children under age 4 to be properly secured in a federally approved child safety seat. Children age 4, 5, and 6 are required to ride in a federally approved safety seat or booster seat with the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt.
• All pets must be registered with the town where the pet resides. Pets residing on Fort Drum must be registered with the Town of LeRay. In addition, per Garrison policy, all pets residing on Fort Drum must be registered with the Veterinary Clinic and micro-chipped within 30 days of arrival to their new duty station.
• New York State law and Fort Drum forbid the use of a hand-held cell phone device while driving. Texting and driving is illegal and not tolerated.
• Entering the United States from Canada -- Effective 1 June 2009 travelers are required to present a WHTI – compliant document for entry into the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda. Air travelers entering the U.S. are required to have a passport. 
• Dangerous Dog Ban -- Residents of privatized or Government controlled/leased housing are limited to a total of two dogs or cats per household. Breeds (including mixed breeds) deemed “aggressive or potentially aggressive” are not permitted unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer. The following breeds are deemed aggressive or potentially aggressive are not permitted on Fort Drum: Pit Bulls (American Stafford Bull Terriers and English Stafford Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Chows, and wolf hybrids and any other dog that demonstrates a propensity for dominance or aggressive behavior. Dominant and aggressive behavior includes but is not limited to unprovoked barking, growling, or snarling at people approaching the animal; aggressively running along fence lines when people are present; biting or scratching people, escaping confinement or restriction to chase people.

Arrival Information

If your arrival is at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York it is your responsibility to coordinate and complete your travel to Fort Drum. Ensure that you save all your receipts so that you can make an appropriate travel claim when you in-process the installation. Listed below is some general information that may assist you in your travel decisions: 

• CPL Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room -- Located at Syracuse Airport next to baggage claim, the CPL Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room provides a comfortable place for Soldiers and Family members to relax and grab a snack to eat when arriving or departing the area. The volunteers who staff the room will assist newly arriving Soldiers and Families with coordinating hotel reservations if needed and the transportation options listed below. The Military Courtesy Room is open Monday – Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Call 315-455-3440 or visit their website for more information.   
• Bus Schedule -- Check for Bus Schedule and Fare Information, entering Syracuse, New York as the Departure Location and Watertown, New York as the Arrival Location. Pay particular attention to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website. Pets are not allowed on the bus with the exception of service animals specifically trained to aid individuals with a disability. Shuttle Service to the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center (Greyhound/Trailways Bus and Amtrak) is available. Visit the CPL Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room for assistance with making reservations if needed.
• Shuttle Service -- The Fort Drum Reception Activity shuttle makes trips to the airport twice a day if needed and weather permitting. This shuttle is free. Commercial Airport shuttle service to Fort Drum is limited and expensive. On average, costs can exceed $150.00. Plan ahead and contact the CPL Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room for more information on possible shuttle services and costs. Remember to obtain and save your receipts. 
• Taxi Service -- Taxi service from Syracuse to Fort Drum is expensive with an average rate of $150.00. Typically, taxis do not provide receipts, you must ask for one. Ensure that you obtain receipts so that you can claim it as a travel expense.
• Emergency Travel Assistance -- If you require emergency financial travel assistance, contact the Red Cross Travel Assistance at 1-877-272-7337.  Additionally, Military OneSource can be contacted at 1-800-342-9647.
• Remember, it is your responsibility to coordinate and complete your travel to Fort Drum. Plan ahead.

Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions

The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial 315-772-6011 or DSN 312-772-6011. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.

Pet Restrictions

Residents of privatized on-post housing are limited to a total of three dogs or cats per household. Breeds (including mixed breeds) deemed “aggressive or potentially aggressive” are not permitted unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer. The following breeds are deemed aggressive or potentially aggressive are not permitted on Fort Drum: Pit Bulls (American Stafford Bull Terriers and English Stafford Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Chows, and wolf hybrids and any other dog that demonstrates a propensity for dominance or aggressive behavior. Dominant and aggressive behavior includes but is not limited to unprovoked barking, growling, or snarling at people approaching the animal; aggressively running along fence lines when people are present; biting or scratching people, escaping confinement of restriction to chase people.

Hands Free Driving

It is illegal to drive and talk on a handheld device both on Fort Drum and in New York State.  Use of a hands free device is permitted. Texting and driving is illegal and absolutely not tolerated.

Winter

Winters at Fort Drum are quite cold and snowfall can begin as early as October and extend through April at times. If arriving during the winter months, be sure to bring warm, heavy clothing with you including winter jackets, snow boots, thick gloves or mittens, hats, an ice scraper and snow removal brush or be prepared to purchase these items immediately upon arrival.

En route mail should be addressed to the Soldier as follows:

Rank First name Last name
c/o OMDC-Pending Gain
10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd.
Fort Drum, NY 13602

Fort Drum Post Office 315-772-5220; Watertown Post Office 315-786-5900. Remember to submit a change of address to those you receive mail from and to the post office in order to minimize the disruption to your mail delivery.