Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online War Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and contact center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property login details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may be offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometimes emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Fort Drum's Relocation Readiness Program offers the following services:

• Spouse Connection (spouses' welcome)
• Relocation outreach
• Relocation counseling services
• Spouse support programs
• English as a Second Language classes
• Pre-departure assistance for PCS, ETS, and retirement
• Sewing classes
• Lending Closet

Contact Relocation Readiness at 315-772-6566 or DSN 312-772-6566 for more information.

The Lending Closet is located at the Family Resource Center, 11042 Mt. Belvedere. Contact 315-772-6557 or DSN 312-772-6557 for more information.

Installation Specific Information

Welcome to Fort Drum! 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 with local surroundings. In addition to the Relocation Readiness Program, the area's 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 to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Family Resource Center, Building 11042, Mt. Belvedere Blvd or by calling 315-772-6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6566/6553.

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.

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 FRC programs as well as other important information for newcomers.
• 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 315-772-6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6566/6553 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 FRC prior to the due date. The following items are available from the Lending Closet: folding tables and chairs, sleeping mats, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, silverware, chef and utility knives, can openers, cooking utensils, mixing bowls, colanders and casserole dishes. Call 315-772-6566 or DSN 312-772-666 for additional information.
• Welcome packets - Provided on request at the FRC. 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. Also provided are Installation-specific information packets, "Plan My Move" planning calendars, moving checklists and general relocation information. Call 315-772-6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6566/6553 to schedule an appointment.
• Mandatory overseas orientation - The Reassignments Branch schedules soldiers to attend this mandatory briefing. Spouses are strongly encouraged to attend. Offered twice a month, and one on one when needed 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 quarterly 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 315-772-6566/6553 or DSN 312-772-6566/6553 for 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 practice their English skills if needed. Call 315-772-6566/6553 for more information. In conjunction with the FRC, Literacy of Northern New York offers English as a Second Languages classes every Tuesday and Thursday at the FRC, Building 11042 Mt Belvedere. Classes are offered in two 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.