Posted on Dec 12, 2013

PCSing to Ft Drum (General)

SFC Michael Hasbun

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In July I'll be headed to the 210 BSB in Fort Drum. I was just wondering if anyone had some guidance, wisdom, tips or tricks (other than the fact that it's REALLY cold, I get that a lot =o)  ).<div> </div><div>Thanks in advance.</div>

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Posted 11 y ago

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Capt Brandon Charters

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

Robert gave some great input. I haven't been stationed there myself but noticed we have over 4,400 past and present RP members on the Fort Drum page. Also, quite a few inbound via PCS. That would be a great place to connect with members of your future unit and ask some more detailed questions. I've done this myself with a few locations and everyone has been very helpful.

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CSM (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Not sure how this will turn out but I will cut and paste part of the sponsorship letter my wife and send out to our newbees.  If the space tasks it there is a lot of good info in there.  I hope you like snow.

Here are some local
websites for the local cities/districts (the towns of Philadelphia, Evans Mills
and Calcium didn't have websites but are within 10 miles of Fort Drum): 
 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://carthageny.com/why-carthage</a> (6 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.citywatertown.org/</a> (11-14 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.sacketsharborny.com/</a> (26 miles from Fort Drum) 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.townoftheresany.com/</a> (15 miles from Fort Drum)<o:p></o:p>

Housing in the area is
somewhat of an issue and not easy to come by.  The wait list to get on
post housing can be rather long (probably not for E-9 housing) and the rentals
off post are hit and miss.  Some are great deals while others seem great
until winter comes and you pay $1000-$1500 a month to heat your home.  The area is rather old which also means that
off post housing is old too.  Natural Gas is the most inexpensive heat
source while we were there.  There were
several new housing developments started as my family and I were leaving.  As far as schools go, we live in Carthage
School District.  I am told and hear quite often that Carthage is the
school district you want and the best in the area.  They also offer
private schools, mainly Catholic, but you do not have to be Catholic to enroll
or utilize. <o:p></o:p>

Here is the website for
the Carthage school district:<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.carthagecsd.org/district.cfm</a> <o:p></o:p>

Here is 1 Private
Catholic School in Carthage (they are reasonable and assist with costs and
books-I was quoted $2100 yearly or $210 monthly with deductions for additional
children): 
<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://c-augustinian.org/administrative/tuition.html</a> <o:p></o:p>

Here is the website for
Indian River School district (which serves those that live on Fort Drum,
Philadelphia, Antwerp, Calcium, and Theresa) this school is heavily populated:<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.ircsd.org/schools.cfm</a> <o:p></o:p>

I personally would not
want to live in Watertown, but that is my preference.  Overcrowded and
certain areas have high drug and crime rates.  If you live in Watertown,
you also are in the Watertown school district: <o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.watertowncsd.org/</a><o:p></o:p>

Winters here are very
long and very cold, so be prepared.  It usually is 8-9 months long with a
LOT of snow.  If you buy or rent a house, ask if it is in the “Snow
Belt.”  The Snow Belt receives MUCH more
snow than the surrounding areas. 
Temperatures get well below zero at times and the summers are very mild
not getting above 82 most times.  Most off post homes do not have air-conditioning,
a fan is usually sufficient.  On-post
homes offer window units in the older housing and central heat/AC in the new
homes.  During the winter if you live off post, you will notice that
heating cost can become costly depending on the type of heat you have. 
Most do what is called "budget plans" if you have National Grid. 
 
If you are an outdoor person, then there are a lot of things to do here,
hockey, skiing, snowmobiles, fishing, camping, etc.  You have many Amish
communities as well and a ton of farmers markets, craft fairs and tons of
wineries with tours and tastings available.  
 
Shopping on post has its challenges, it is VERY crowded, and parking at the PX
and Commissary is hard to come by.  Gas prices are higher here than
in other states, so prepare for that as well.  NY has one of the higher
taxes at 7-8% as well as a tobacco and alcohol tax (known as the SIN tax) that
is in addition to the sales tax.  So say, if a person smokes Marlboro Cigarettes,
1 pack is just over $11.  You also have deposits for canned and bottled
sodas, drinks water, etc..5 cents per bottle/can, they have redemption centers
to turn them into when they are empty to get deposit back and recycle. 
 
Here is the Medical Clinic on Fort Drum, you have option of using them (Tricare
Prime military treatment facility) <a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.drum.army.mil/Newcomers/Pages/AccesstoHealthCare.aspx</a> or you also have option of using Tricare Prime
Remote (which uses off base Dr at no cost).  Here is the website for you
to compare which is better for you. 
(NOTE: On-post health facility has LONG waits and Appointments are hard to
get for family members):<o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/PlanComparison/Results.do?plan_1=TRICARE+Prime&plan_2=TRICARE+Prime+Remote</a><o:p></o:p>

Here are the Child and
Youth Services website (there are more than 7 daycare centers on fort drum): <o:p></o:p>

<a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.drummwr.com/ChildandYouthServices.htm</a> 
 
I know this is probably a LOT of things to read and sites to look at, but just
a few things my spouse says many spouses ask about.  <o:p></o:p>

 
Here is also a website we used while locating a place to live, it shows crimes
and where and what the crimes were:  <a href="https://web-satx.mail.mil/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.spotcrime.com/ny/watertown</a><o:p></o:p>

 <div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://carthageny.com/images/stories/Coughlin-Logo2.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://carthageny.com/why-carthage" target="_blank">Why Choose Carthage</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce exists to promote the businesses and local economy of the greater Carthage Area. We offer many member benefits and work hard to unite our blended community of militar...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"></div></div>

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SFC Michael Hasbun

11 y

SGM,

Thank you so very much for all of this information. I went ahead about two months ago and placed my self on the waiting list for the newer housing about a year out to try and eliminate some of the wait time. I had heard mostly negative things about the surrounding town, so I assumed on post would be a better bet.

My home of record is NY, so I'm familiar with the ridiculous taxes. Fortuneatly we don't smoke or drink. I'm very much into archery, but I don't know if that will hold true in Fort Drum's infamous weather.

Thank you for the head up concerning the Hospital situation, we'll have to start digging into options. (There's nothing wrong with us, we just have an infant that is still a better faller than walker, so precaution is the word of the day. Although by July he should be pretty proficient).

Once again, thank you SGM, I really do appreciate it.

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1SG Eric Rice

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

Ma'am,

Try not to let others opinions influence your opinion on any duty station that you may go to. Any place you go is what you make of it. As long as you go into a new unit/duty station with an open mind and willing to be a team player you will succeed and be happy no matter where you go. Congrats on your commission.

P.S. Make sure you find a squared away Senior NCO to help you in your journey. He or she will be a great asset and influence for the rest of your career. Good luck!
Regards,

SFC Rice

PCSing to Ft Drum (General)

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