Fort Drum  Military and Family Support Center

If you are approaching a permanent change of station, or PCS, you may have questions about your upcoming move. As part of the Military and Family Support Center, the Relocation Assistance Program provides services and resources to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Below is a list of resources.

• PCS planning – Most relocation assistance programs offer counseling/consultations to assist in the moving process. Those making their first military move, those making their first overseas move or those with challenging or complex situations should contact their installation Relocation Assistance Program office as soon as possible for information and assistance.
• Plan My Move is an online tool that helps break the moving process down into clear, manageable steps for all family members. This Department of Defense relocation tool provides details about housing, transportation, finances, family and more.
• Military OneSource offers a variety of moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move.
• Loan Closet – Loan Closet offers basic household goods while your personal property is in transit. Typical items include pots and pans, dishes, silverware, irons, ironing boards and infant or toddler car seats. Generally, towels and bed linens are not available, so these should be packed in your express shipment. This service varies by service and installation.
• Workshops and briefings – Workshops vary from installation to installation, but you may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets or general moving preparation and resources.
• Predeparture briefings – Briefings may be called Smooth Move or PCS Briefing and provide essential information about your next duty station. Briefings can be critical in setting you up for success during the transition to your next duty station.
• Settling-in services – Welcome Wagon services or local area tours may be a part of your installation’s settling-in services. Overseas arrival services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness training.
• Foreign-born spouse support – Whether you have questions or concerns about immigration and naturalization, learning the English language or how to use local transportation, the relocation program provides assistance, classes and referrals. Services may vary by service and installation.
• Emergency assistance – From time to time, emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorized housing flexibility options for eligible service members in receipt of PCS orders within the United States. This includes possible extended stays in government housing and early moving opportunities. For additional information and eligibility considerations, contact your military personnel office. Please note that application of these policies may vary across services.
• Spouse Reimbursement – The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. This includes moves that cross U.S. state lines, as well as OCONUS to stateside moves. See this Military OneSource article on Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Fort Drum's Relocation Readiness Program offers the following Services: Drum Family Newcomer's Orientation, Fort Drum/Watertown Welcome Tour, Relocation Outreach, Relocation Counseling Services, Spouse to Spouse Programs, English as a Second Language classes, Pre-departure assistance for PCS, ETS, and Retirement, Lending Closet, and limited Citizenship and Immigration assistance for cases involving Spouses and children of DoD ID card holders. Contact Relocation Readiness at 315-772-6566 or DSN 312-772-6566 for more information. The Lending Closet is located at Army Community Service. Contact 315-772-6557 or DSN 312-772-6557 for more information.

Installation Specific Information

Welcome to Fort Drum! All arriving personnel receive a Fort Drum Welcome Packet upon signing in at the Reception Activity Welcome Center. If you are not signing in right away be sure to stop by the Relocation Readiness Program office to receive a Welcome Packet and obtain information you may initially need. The Welcome Packet will help to familiarize you to local surroundings. In addition to the Relocation Readiness Program, the areas Chambers of Commerce are great resources for information on the surrounding communities. The Official Page of Jefferson County contains a listing of area Chambers of Commerce as well as additional information about the North Country that will be useful as you plan your relocation and after you settle in. 

Fort Drum and the North Country is a great place to live, work, and raise your children. If you have any questions about the installation or the surrounding area please feel free to call us. We will be very happy to help you and your family while you settle into life in the North Country. We are available Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Army Community Service, building 1780 Restore Hope or 315-772-6902/3241/6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6902/3241/6566/6553.

Orders are the most important document for a move. Until you have them, you do not know what you will be entitled to or authorized to do. Although you can ask questions and request information any time, no official action can begin until you have PCS orders in hand. Be sure to read your orders as soon as you receive them to ensure they are correct! If your orders are not correct, ensure that any needed changes are made prior to your PCS to Fort Drum.

Services Provided by the Fort Drum Relocation Readiness Program

Inbound Services

Newcomers In-processing Briefing - Held daily at Clark Hall, building P-10720. This briefing is mandatory for all in-processing Soldiers. The briefing provides an overview of all ACS programs as well as other important information for newcomers.

Fort Drum/Watertown Welcome Tour - Held every Tuesday (unless there is a federal holiday in the week). Departs from ACS at 9:30 a.m. and returns at approximately 2:00 p.m. This free narrated windshield tour takes you around to key places on Fort Drum and Watertown. Learn about the rich history of the area and tips and tricks for living in the North Country. We will stop for lunch at a local eatery. Lunch is at your own cost. Children are welcome. Reservations are required and seating is limited to 9. Call 315-772-6557 or DSN 312-772-6557 to reserve your seat.

Relocation Counseling - Offered to those needing specific help with issues pertaining to relocation. We make sure you are aware of and know how to use all the resources available to help make your transition a smooth one. Call 315-772-6902/6566/3241/6553 or DSN 312-772-6902/6566/3241/6553 to schedule an appointment.

Lending Closet - Personnel may borrow basic household items when arriving to and departing from Fort Drum. Items are available for a lending period of 30 days. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis by calling or visiting ACS prior to the due date. The following items are available from the Loan Closet: folding tables and chairs, sleeping mats, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, silverware, chef and utility knives, can openers, cooking utensils, mixing bowls, colanders, casserole dishes, port-a-cribs, high chairs, booster seats, and car seats. Call 315-772-6557 or DSN 312-772-6557 for additional information.

Welcome Packets - Provided to every in-processing Soldier upon signing in to Fort Drum at the Reception Activity Welcome Center. The packet contains information pertinent to new arrivals.

Outbound Services

Relocation Counseling - Provided to personnel relocating to other military installations. Counseling will include assessment of individual or Family needs and particular relocation circumstances. Installation specific information packets, "Plan My Move" planning calendars and moving checklists, and general relocation information are provided. Call 315-772-6902/6566/3241/6553 or DSN 312-772-6902/6566/3241/6553 to schedule an appointment.

Pre-departure Briefing - Held twice weekly on Tuesday's and Thursday's 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Clark Hall, building P-10720. We make sure you are aware of and know how to use all the resources and services available to help make your transition a smooth one.

Mandatory Overseas Orientation - Reassignments Branch schedules Soldiers to attend this mandatory briefing. Spouses are strongly encouraged to attend. Offered once a month to Soldiers and Families PCSing overseas. Information provided at the Orientation includes: PCS process and procedures, finance entitlements, household goods shipment, port call, family travel information, no-fee passport information, legal and claims information, moving your pet, EFMP screening, HIV screening, and clearing housing/barracks and the installation.

Additional Services

Sponsorship Training - Classes designed to train Soldiers on how to be effective sponsors are held weekly or as requested by units and individuals. Sponsorship Packets are provided as well as information about available resources. Call 315-772-6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6566/6553 to schedule a class.

Waiting Families - A "Hearts Apart Support Group" meets monthly to provide support to Families who live on post or in the surrounding community and are separated from the military sponsor due to mission requirements such as extended TDY, unaccompanied Tour, or deployment. Efforts are made to identify and contact (with Sponsor permission) Family members staying behind in order to provide information about available services and opportunities on Fort Drum and in the surrounding communities. Call 315-772-6566/6902/3241or DSN 312-772-6566/6902/3241for information and assistance.

Foreign-born Spouse Support - An "International Spouses Support Group" meets monthly to provide support to Spouses who were born and raised in other countries. This group offers a chance for foreign-born spouses to learn about living in the United States, develop friendships, network, share resources and their culture with others from their country and around the world, and to practice their English skills if needed. Call 315-772-6566/6902/3241 for more information. Literacy of Northern New York offers English as a Second Languages (ESL) classes every Tuesday and Thursday at ACS, building 1780 Restore Hope. Classes are offered in three levels and are taught by Fort Drum spouses and local teachers. The classes are free and materials will be provided. Call 315-772-6566 for more information.

Citizenship and Immigration Assistance - Limited immigration assistance is available for lawful permanent residence and U.S. citizenship cases relating to Spouses and children of Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, retired Soldiers, and DoD Civilians. Call 315-772-6566 or DSN 312-772-6566.

Note: Soldiers needing immigration assistance for themselves should contact their Brigade S-1. Soldiers assigned to Garrison or Tenant units should contact Personnel Services Branch located in Clark Hall, building P-10720 or call 315-772-1351 or DSN 312-772-1351.