Fort Drum, NY

Fort Drum, NY 13602 | Post Operator: DSN: 772-6011, (315) 772-6011

Fort Drum: Overview

The major unit that calls Fort Drum home is the 10th Mountain Division. The current mission of this installation is to provide the necessary support to the tenant units, which include both active and reserve components of the United States Armed Forces. The support provided includes administration, logistics, training, and mobilization. This service is extended to nearly 80,000 troops on an annual basis.

The Army has maintained a presence in the area where Fort Drum is currently positioned since the early 1800’s. However, a permanent tract of land for a military installation was not allocated until 1908. It was used solely for military training maneuvers until the outbreak of WWII. Pine Camp, as it was known at that time, was expanded significantly and hosted the 4th Armored Division, the 45th Infantry Division, and the 5th Armored Division. These three divisions routinely conducted training exercises on the post. Following the Second World War, the post was made a permanent training site and was named in honor of Lt. Gen. Hugh A. Drum.

Fort Drum: Education

Fort Drum is located in the northwestern portion of New York near Canada and Lake Ontario. As a service member stationed here, you should take advantage of the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program and attend an online school. Online schools provide you with a great education, and you can attend class when it best suits you from any location. In other words, when deployed, you can go to class, and if you go through a PCS, you don't have to delay your degree progress. Learn more by requesting information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

Fort Drum: Location

Fort Drum is located in the northwestern portion of New York in Jefferson County. Canada is only about 30 miles away, and Lake Ontario is even closer. The region that Fort Drum is in is called the Thousand Island Region of New York State. Other significant geographic landmarks in the area include the Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence River. Notable communities in the area include Syracuse, which is located about 80 miles to the south, and Rochester, which is about 110 miles to the southwest. Other communities around the post include Great Bend, NY, Black River, NY, Le Ray, NY, Deferiet, NY, Calcium, NY, Evans Mills, NY, Herrings, NY, Rutland, NY, and Clay, NY.

Fort Drum: Interesting Facts

Brigadier General Frederick Dent Grant, who was the son of President Ulysses S. Grant, recommended the site where Fort Drum is currently located to the United States Army as a possible training site. This took place in 1908.
General Creighton Abrams was stationed at Fort Drum at one point during WWII and was a battalion commander in the 4th Armored Division.
Lt. Gen. Hugh A. Drum, the namesake of the post, was the commander of the First United States Army during WWII.
Fort Drum became the home of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) in 1985.