Fort Drum  Base Essentials

All Soldiers arriving to Fort Drum sign in at the Reception Activity Welcome Center, Clark Hall, building P-10720 Mount Belvedere Boulevard. The Reception Activity Welcome Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If assistance is needed, call 315-772-0423 or 1-800-661-7158.

When you sign in you will need to have your ID card, DA31, orders, and medical and dental records with you. You may wear civilian clothing when signing in, but you must wear Army Combat Uniform (ACU) while conducting in-processing. Upon signing in you will complete an information packet. You will receive information on what you must complete during your day 0, which is the first duty day following your sign in. Your day 0 will be at unit of assignment. You will be given an in-processing schedule on your 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 finance to complete your travel voucher (DD 1351-2). You will have your medical and dental records checked and be scheduled for any appointments. You will also receive briefs from TRICARE, Martins Point (US Family Health Plan) an alternate TRICARE Prime option, along with transportation information, Child and Youth Services, and Army Community Service (ACS). We highly recommend you bring your spouse to the day 1 classes. On the afternoon of Day 1 In-Processing at Clack hall, all SGTs 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 your 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 & DCSM, the GC and GCSM, two days of Comprehensive Soldiers & Family Fitness, along with Medical and CIF appointments spread over eight to eleven business days.

Here at Fort Drum we have an automation room for you to check your emails and conduct any online training that is needed or required. Hours are 0800-1530.

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

Sponsorship

Your sponsor will ensure you understand your responsibilities for in-processing, arrange for an introduction to your new Chain of Command, and assist you with learning about your new community. See the Sponsorship narrative for additional sponsorship information.

Permissive TDY (PTDY)

If you are planning to take permissive TDY (PTDY) for house hunting make sure to submit the proper leave request prior to taking permissive TDY. Permissive TDY can be requested at either your losing or gaining command. Effective February 28, 2018, Soldiers arriving at the new Permanent Duty Station (PDS) are no longer required to obtain a validation stamp from the Housing Office for the purpose of PTDY for house hunting. If Soldier's PTDY was approved by the old PDS, the Soldier must go to the Fort Drum Welcome Center at new PDS to have a statement put in block #17 stating the "Soldier arrived at the new PDS on date to start PTDY". The statement should be signed by the designated person at the reception center.

Newcomers Orientations for Soldiers and Family Members

All Soldiers will attend an ACS overview briefing during in-processing. In addition, Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program offers the Drum Family Newcomers Orientation for newly arriving Soldiers, spouses and Family members. Contact Relocation Readiness Program at 315-772-6902/3241 or DSN 312-772-6902/3241 for more information.

The Fort Drum/Watertown Welcome Tour is a windshield tour designed to acquaint you with Fort Drum and the surrounding community of Watertown. Learn what the North County has to offer including insight into all the key places and hidden treasures, and learn about the colorful history of the area. Held every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Reservation are required. Call 315-772-6902/3241 to reserve your seat.

Temporary Lodging Reservations

Temporary lodging on Fort Drum is privatized and managed by Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). Newly arriving Soldiers and 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 1-877-771-8326 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: Vaccination records are required at check-in. $75 Non-Refundable fee for 1-5 nights. After that, $7 per night fee applies. There is a maximum of two pets per room. Only cats and dogs are permitted.

Amenities at IHG: A new Candlewood Suites Hotel opened November 2018 on Fort Drum. Each room features a kitchenette with full size refrigerator, dishwasher, stovetop, microwave, pots & 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, BBQ Grills and a Lending Locker with other 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 travel with you. Concurrent travel must be authorized on your PCS orders or the military will not pay for your Family to travel.

If you are getting married while en route to Fort Drum, prevent any undue financial burdens and hardships following the information below.

1. Contact the losing installation reassignment branch to have the orders amended for adding spouse or any other dependents.
2. Contact Fort Drum in-processing NCOs for any help with getting your orders amended by your losing installation. The military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if not on your orders.
3.  Bring a copy of the marriage license to start the BAH process and enroll your spouse in DEERS.
4. If your spouse needs any assistance, contact Fort Drum Relocation Readiness Program team and they will work with you to make arrangements for establishing your household and assist you with getting your spouse orientated to Fort Drum.
5. Please contact the Relocation Readiness Program team at (315) 772-ACS1 (2271).