Community Relations coordinates requests for military support of public events and patriotic celebrations, tours – including the popular Fort Drum History Tours – and field trips on post, and law enforcement and emergency services use of installation training facilities.
Military support for community events:
- Color Guard, Equipment Displays, 10th Mountain Division Band
Military support for events that are within the designated local travel distance (100 miles) is provided using government transportation. For events that take place more than 100 miles from Fort Drum, the requesting agency must be prepared to provide commercial transportation, associated meals and overnight accommodations as necessary depending on the actual distance and timing of the event. Support is provided based upon availability of the assets requested and in keeping with Army regulations.
Request Instructions:
To request military support for your event, download and complete DD Form 2536 - Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events. (Click on link below to download form.)
If your request involves military aircraft, download and complete DD Form 2535 - Request for Military Aerial Support. (Click on link below to download form.)
NOTE: If your request involves military aircraft and any other form of support, you will need to submit both forms.
Please submit your completed form(s) to the Fort Drum Public Affairs Office as far in advance as possible, but minimally eight to 12 weeks before your event, by emailing to this address: usarmy.drum.imcom.mbx.pao1@army.mil.
Guest speakers
We have Soldiers and civilian employees available to speak in forums sponsored by federal, state, or municipal governments; professional or technical associations; and social or service organizations. Individuals are available to speak on topics such as the history of Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division, leadership, or their profession / career, for a variety of occasions at no cost to the requester.
However:
• The event must be open to the general public;
• The event sponsor must not discriminate against anyone attending on the basis of race, creed, or national origin;
• There can be no commercial endorsement or benefit;
• The event may not be a political activity; and
• The event may not be a fundraiser.
Installation tours
Tours of the installation for organizations may be provided upon request depending upon availability of personnel. Tours may be scheduled to take place Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A windshield tour lasts approximately one hour and is conducted from a bus (yours, or ours if available). The tour provides an external look at some of the most modern facilities and Soldier living areas in the Army. This tour is normally appropriate for adult organizations interested in the history and expansion of Fort Drum and its role in national defense.
For youth / school groups, a more customized visit may be provided based on the age of the group and the area of interest, with an overall goal of providing students with an up-close look at military equipment, uses of technology, and a chance to speak with Soldiers about their jobs.
Due to staffing and security requirements, requests for tours must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance of the proposed date.
Written requests for tours should include the proposed date, the name of the organization, the number of participants in the group, ages / grade level (if students), and the time window available. Requests may be mailed or emailed to the addresses below.
History Tours
The Fort Drum History Tour is an outreach program established in 2017 to give community members an opportunity to visit some of the most prominent historic sites on the installation: LeRay Mansion, the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum, and Memorial Park. Tours are scheduled seasonally and have featured different themes, including one that explored the communities and cemeteries of the "Lost Villages" and another that highlighted the industrial history that sprang from the development of this area of the North Country.
The tours are free and open to the public. Tour announcements are provided to local media and posted on social media. Registration for tours often reaches maximum capacity quickly, so those who were unable to attend one tour can be added to the waiting list for the next.
For information about upcoming events, click here.
Concerns about military operations
Concerns about military activity on or around Fort Drum should be directed as follows:
• To report low-flying jet aircraft, contact the New York Air National Guard, at 1-800-228-3567.
• To report low-flying helicopters, artillery noise, vehicle activity or any other disturbance, contact the Fort Drum Public Affairs Office at (315) 772-5461.
• If you have damage to property from military activity, contact the Staff Judge Advocate Claims Office at (315) 772-6584.