Fort Drum

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Watertown, New York
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Drum was established in 1908 as Pine Camp and was redesignated Fort Drum in 1951, located in Jefferson County in upstate New York, approximately 30 miles north of Watertown and 70 miles north of Syracuse, near the Canadian border and the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. The installation encompasses approximately 107,265 acres and is home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), one of the most frequently deployed divisions in the U.S. Army. Fort Drum’s remote northern New York location is known for extremely harsh winters and serves as a realistic cold-weather training environment.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train and deploy light infantry forces capable of rapid worldwide deployment in all climates and terrain; serve as home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
Major Units:
10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) — one of the most deployed Army divisions; headquarters and multiple brigade combat teams
10th Combat Aviation Brigade
10th Sustainment Brigade
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Tenant Units:
Samaritan Medical Center (civilian; primary off-post referral hospital)
Various Reserve Component units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Watertown, NY — approximately 30 miles south; Syracuse, NY — approximately 70 miles south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) — approximately 75 miles south; Watertown International Airport offers limited regional service
Gate Access: Multiple gates including the main gate off Route 11; 24/7 access for credentialed personnel; visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID; visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center; CAC holders use standard lanes; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required; winter road conditions can affect gate access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 17,000-20,000
Family Members: Approximately 20,000-30,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000-6,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 50,000-60,000 (including retirees and contractors in the greater Watertown area)

Key Facilities

Medical: Guthrie Army Health Clinic — provides comprehensive primary and specialty outpatient care for active duty, retirees, and family members; more complex inpatient and specialty care is referred to Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown or larger civilian facilities in Syracuse; the remote location and large population can result in wait times for specialty appointments
Commissary: Yes — Fort Drum Commissary; large, well-stocked facility serving the military community
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — AAFES Main Exchange with retail, food court, car care, Class VI, and specialty stores; the installation’s isolation makes the Exchange a primary shopping destination for many families
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers including the Monti Physical Fitness Center; indoor and outdoor pools; Remington Park Golf Course; Fort Drum Outdoor Recreation (ski equipment, snowmobile rentals, and cold-weather gear); bowling center; recreational fishing and hunting on the installation’s extensive land; Sports USA recreation center
Schools: No DoDEA schools on post — students attend various Jefferson County school districts; the primary districts serving on-post families include General Brown Central School District and Indian River Central School District; school quality and resources vary by district
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; high demand with significant wait times — the remote location and limited civilian childcare options make on-post CDC especially important; families should register on the Army Child Care Waiting List immediately upon receipt of orders
Veterinary Services: Fort Drum Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness care, vaccinations, dental care, and preventive medicine for eligible beneficiaries’ privately owned animals and military working dogs; appointment required; winter conditions can affect travel to the clinic
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Drum — provides legal assistance by appointment; contact (315) 772-5491 for current hours; walk-in services are available for limited urgent matters

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Corvias Military Living — multiple residential neighborhoods on post; a variety of home sizes for enlisted and officer families; on-post housing is highly sought after given the remote location and limited quality off-post options
Average Wait Time: Wait times are among the more significant in the Army given the remote location and high demand for on-post housing; some grades may wait 3-12 months or more; contact Corvias upon receipt of orders immediately
Off-Post Housing: Watertown and surrounding communities (Evans Mills, Gouverneur, Carthage) offer off-post options; quality and availability vary; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $800-$1,100 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,100-$1,600 for a 3-4 bedroom home; costs are low but selection can be limited, especially for larger family sizes; many older housing units in the area have quality concerns
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s S1 to request a sponsor; the 10th Mountain Division has an active sponsorship program; incoming Soldiers are strongly encouraged to connect with their unit sponsor before arrival — the remote location makes pre-arrival preparation especially important
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center; in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; newcomers should be prepared for cold weather even in the transition months of fall and spring
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Guthrie Army Health Clinic; contact Fort Drum Army Community Service for EFMP Family Support at (315) 772-9677; families with special needs members should carefully research available services in the Watertown area, as the remote location means some specialty services may be limited or require significant travel to Syracuse or other larger cities

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: One of the most challenging climates of any U.S. military installation; located in the “snowbelt” east of Lake Ontario; winters are extremely cold and snowy (average annual snowfall of 100+ inches; some years exceed 200 inches); lake-effect snow events are common from November through March; summers are short but pleasant (average highs in the mid-70s to low 80s F); the long, harsh winter is the single most significant quality-of-life consideration for Fort Drum families
Cost of Living: Low to moderate relative to national average; the rural northern New York region is affordable in most categories; however, New York State income tax is among the higher in the nation, which affects take-home pay; heating costs in winter can be significant
Nearby Attractions:
Thousand Islands Region — along the St. Lawrence River; boating, fishing, historic castles, and scenic beauty approximately 45 minutes north
Lake Placid, NY — approximately 2 hours southeast; world-class ski resorts, Olympic training facilities, and Adirondack recreation
Ottawa, Canada — approximately 2.5 hours north (passport required); excellent museums, cultural attractions, and the Rideau Canal
Spouse Employment: Limited local job market — the rural Watertown area has a relatively small economy; healthcare, retail, and government/military-related employment are primary sectors; the installation itself (post jobs, AAFES, government civilian positions) is a major employer for military spouses; remote and telework positions are particularly valuable given the limited local market

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/drum
Main Installation Phone: (315) 772-6011
MWR Website: https://drum.armymwr.com
ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Fort Drum — Building P-10150; contact (315) 772-9677 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM, home.army.mil/drum, 10th Mountain Division, Corvias Military Living, Jefferson County School Districts, AAFES, Guthrie Army Health Clinic, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law