Fort Drum  Base Essentials

All soldiers arriving to Fort Drum must sign in at the Reception Activity Welcome Center, Clark Hall, Building P-10720, Mount Belvedere Boulevard. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If assistance is needed, call 315-772-0423 or 800-661-7158.

When you sign in, you will need to have your identification card, Department of the Army Form 31, orders, and medical and dental records with you. You may wear civilian clothing when you sign in, but you must wear your Army Combat Uniform while conducting in-processing.

Upon signing in, you will complete an information packet. You will receive information on what you must complete during Day 0, which is the first duty day following your sign-in. Day 0 will be at the unit you are assigned to.

You will be given an in-processing schedule on Day 1 of in-processing, which will be at Clark Hall. Your unit will be contacted and informed of your arrival and a sponsor from your unit will arrive to greet you. You will be scheduled with the Finance Office to complete your travel voucher, DD Form 1351-2. You will have your medical and dental records checked and any necessary appointments scheduled. You will also receive briefs from TRICARE, Martin’s Point (US Family Health Plan), an alternate TRICARE Prime option, along with transportation information, Child and Youth Services, and Army Community Service. We highly recommend you bring your spouse to Day 1 classes. On the afternoon of Day 1, in-processing at Clark Hall, all sergeants and below will get a tour of the installation. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend all or some of in-processing. Keep in mind that a spouse can attend some or all of in-processing even after the soldier has finished. 

Your subsequent in-processing schedule will also include Legal, SHARP, IG, Ed center, Security and PMO/MP, SFL-TAP, Army Wellness, CID, financial readiness, ACE-SI, briefing from the CG and DCSM, two days of Comprehensive Soldiers and Family Fitness, along with Medical and CIF appointments spread over eight to 11 business days.

Here at Fort Drum, we have an automation room where you can check your emails and conduct any online training that is needed or required. Hours are 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Each in-processing group will have a Fort Drum Military Cadre member assigned to ensure accountability and provide information support during in-processing.

Temporary lodging reservations

Temporary lodging on Fort Drum is privatized and managed by the InterContinental Hotels Group. Newly arriving soldiers and their families may choose to stay in on-post or off-post temporary lodging facilities. A Statement of Non-Availability is no longer needed to stay at an off-post lodging facility. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis and should be made as far in advance as possible by visiting the IHG Army Hotels website or calling 877-771-8326 or 315-773-7777.

A limited number of rooms are available for your pet to stay with you. It is strongly recommended that you make pet boarding arrangements prior to arrival, if needed. See the Household Goods-Shipping Pets narrative for a list of pet boarding facilities.

IHG pet policy: Your pet’s vaccination records are required at check-in. You will be charged a $75 nonrefundable fee for one to five nights. After that, a $7 per night fee applies. No more than two pets per room are allowed, and only cats and dogs are permitted.

Amenities at IHG: A Candlewood Suites Hotel opened in November 2018 on Fort Drum. Each room features a kitchenette with full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, stovetop, microwave, pots and pans, dishes and more. This fully equipped suite is designed to make your move more comfortable. A full hot breakfast is served daily. There is also a weekly social on Wednesdays that offers a complimentary light dinner to hotel guests. We offer free laundry facilities on-site, a 24-hour fitness room, barbecue grills and a Lending Locker with household items and games available to sign out.

If you are a married soldier or have custody of your children, make sure your orders state “dependents – yes.” If your orders do not state “dependents – yes,” seek guidance from your losing unit about having your orders amended.

Concurrent travel

Concurrent travel means your family members are traveling with you. Concurrent travel must be authorized on your permanent change of station orders or the military will not pay for your family to travel.

If you plan to get married while en route to Fort Drum, avoid any undue financial burdens and hardships by noting the following information:

1. Contact the losing installation reassignment branch to have your orders amended to add a spouse or any other dependents.
2. Contact Fort Drum in-processing non-commissioned officers for help getting your orders amended by your losing installation. The military will not pay the travel and housing expenses of your spouse if they are not on your orders.
3. Bring a copy of the marriage license to start the Basic Allowance for Housing process and enroll your spouse in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
4. If your spouse needs any assistance, contact the Fort Drum Relocation Readiness Program team and it will work with you to make arrangements for establishing your household and assist you with getting your spouse oriented to Fort Drum.
5. Contact the RRP team at 315-772-6566/6553.