News Digest

The following Appropriated Fund employees have been accepted in the Leave Recipient Program: Kayla Bentz, Julie Burrows, Sarah Doherty, Jennifer Gotham, Benjamin Grass, Ann Hooley, Lisa Jefferds, Megan Kemper, Sara Reinhardt, Susan Ruiz, Colleen Shear, and James Tebo, all of MEDDAC.

Appropriated Fund employees who wish to donate annual leave should complete an OPM 630A, Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program, and forward it to the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Bldg. 430A, for processing.

The Fort Drum Command Safety Office staff will conduct courses in winter driving and snow blower operation for Soldiers, family members and Department of the Army civilians in Bldg. 20621, Munns Corner Road.

The Winter Driving Course will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 and 19, as well as Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 5 and 20. The course also will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, and March 5.

The Snow Thrower Operation Course will meet from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 19, as well as Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 5 and 20. The course also will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, and March 5.

Class size is limited to 12 students.

For more information or to register for courses, contact the Command Safety Office at (315) 772-0310 or 772-3022.

WATERTOWN, N.Y. – Winter session at Jefferson Community College (JCC) holds a unique charm for individuals with an opportunity to earn college credit in five weeks or less!

JCC winter classes will be held online beginning Dec. 18 and Jan. 2, respectively. All winter classes wrap up by Jan. 19. Registration is open now!

JCC’s winter session offers a multitude of benefits, whether you need to fulfill degree requirements, expedite your path to graduation, stay ahead of schedule, earn transferable credits, or enhance your professional credentials. You don't attend JCC? No worries – JCC winter classes are open to everyone. Explore course listings and registration details on the JCC website at www.sunyjefferson.edu/winter.

Non-JCC students who are interested in registering for winter classes should contact Enrollment Services at (315) 786-2437. Current students can register directly on the JCC website via myJCC. Active-duty military members should contact the JCC office on Fort Drum at (315) 786-6566. Financial aid questions should be directed to Enrollment Services at (315) 786-2437. MyCAA is accepted at JCC.  

There are no classes the week of Dec. 25 through Jan. 1, when Jefferson Community College is closed in observation of the holidays.

(Jefferson Community College)

WATERTOWN, N.Y. – Calling all prospective students! If you plan to attend Jefferson Community College (JCC) in 2024, Instant Admit is for you! 

JCC will hold Instant Admit on Dec. 4-8, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Prospective students will receive personalized assistance with completing the college admissions application and learn of their admission decision on the spot as well as their next steps in the enrollment process. Applying to JCC is free!

Students must bring their high school transcripts (or GED) and official college transcripts (if applicable) in their original sealed envelopes.

To schedule an appointment for Instant Admit, visit the JCC website at www.sunyjefferson.edu/admissions or call JCC Enrollment Services at (315) 786-2437.         

2024 Start Dates

* Spring Semester:

- Full Semester and Early (eight-week) Session: Jan. 22

- Late (eight-week) Session: March 18

* Summer Session:

- Full Semester (eight-week) and Early (four-week) Session: June 3

- Late (four-week) Session: July 8

* Fall Semester will begin in August.

The Fort Drum Medical Activity offers secondary COVID-19 booster shots based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

*Patients age 50 or older may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.

*Patients age 18-49 who received a Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRHA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first Janssen booster dose.

*Patients 12 or older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.

MEDDAC beneficiaries who fall under one of those categories may call (315) 772-2778 to schedule an appointment.

Fort Drum Army Public Health Nursing offers one-one-one sessions for patients who wish to stop using tobacco. Patients can learn about the medical benefits of tobacco cessation, information on tobacco cessation medications, resources for trigger and cravings, and stress management. Sessions are open to active-duty members, TRICARE beneficiaries, and Department of the Army civilian employees. For more information, call (315) 772-6404.

Transition centers are now able to create and sign DD Form 214s and separation orders! Soldiers who experienced a delay can contact their transition center for separation orders and schedule an appointment to receive their DD Form 214s.

Soldiers who are already on transition leave or separated, but who did not receive their DD Form 214, will receive a copy in the mail and in IPERMs. DD Form 214s for Soldiers who are on transition leave or separated will state “service member not available for signature.” DD 214s marked this way instead of signed by Soldier are completely valid.

If you haven’t received your DD Form 214 in the mail, and you have not had contact with your transition center, Army officials encourage you to contact the transition center at the installation you departed for a status update.

If you have corrections to your DD Form 214 after you have separated, contact the Army Service Center 24-hour line at 1-844-474-7772.

Federal protective services civilian employees who are in a position of the following series of the General Schedule at a military installation are now eligible to shop in their local commissary store:

*Security Administration (GS-0080)

*Fire Protection and Prevention (GS-0081)

*Police (GS-0083)

*Security Guard (GS-0085)

*Emergency Management (GS-0089)

For more information, call (315) 774-9130.

Fort Drum’s Directorate of Emergency Services encourages everyone to contribute to community security by reporting suspicious behavior or activities to (315) 774-8477 (TIPS).

Callers to the anonymous tip line should report odd behaviors and activities, such as people measuring or asking for blueprints of important buildings; strangers asking about security protocols; a briefcase, suitcase, backpack or package left behind; vehicles left unattended in front of buildings; and chemical smells or fumes coming from a residence or business. The effort is part of iWatch Army, an antiterrorism program.

Weingarten Notice

Right to Representation During Investigatory Interviews

In accordance with the requirements of 5 USC 7114(a)(3), this is to advise bargaining unit employees that:

An exclusive representative of an appropriate bargaining unit in an agency shall be given the opportunity to be represented at any examination of an employee in the bargaining unit by a representative of the agency in connection with an investigation if (a) the employee reasonably believes that the examination may result in disciplinary action against the employee and (b) the employee requests representation.

Please call the labor relations specialist in the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) or your union at the appropriate number listed below if you have any questions.

•Labor Relations Specialist: (315) 772-5023

•AFGE Local 400: (315) 772-3039

•NAGE Local R2-61: (315) 772-3306

•IAFF Local F-105: (315) 772-5114

•NAGE Local R2-63: (617) 376-7208

Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Guthrie Clinic, Patient Care Wing, Patient Service Center conference room. For more information, call (315) 772-0035.