Fort Drum Access Control

 

In general, anyone may visit the installation, provided they are able to meet select security screening criteria.

"Visitors" are non-DoD individuals who, in order to have access, must voluntarily submit to a background check in one of two ways.

  • Visitors may self-sponsor if visiting for just one day between 7:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., or
  • They may be sponsored by a DoD individual if visiting overnight or for multiple days.

 

Visitor Information

Any individual who attempts to access Fort Drum must present a valid form of identification. Individuals who do not possess a Department of Defense ID card may access the installaiton by working with the Visitor Control Center (VCC) and following the steps outlined below.

The Visitor Control Center, located in Bldg. 11008 outside of Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan / Main Gate, is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. All visitors are required to process through the VCC except for commercial trucks, which will remain at Gas Alley.

Non-DoD ID cardholders may receive a day pass, valid from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., without a sponsor.

  • Visitors 18 or older must present a valid identification card containing their date of birth.
  • Complete IMDR-ES Form 3. The form is available at the VCC and on this website and can be hand-delivered to the VCC or emailed.
  • Visitors who wish to bring their vehicle on post must present a valid driver's license, registration and proof of insurance.

Sponsorship is required for all non-DoD ID cardholders who require access for more than one day or who plan to stay overnight. 

 

Sponsorship Information

Sponsors MUST:

  • Be in possession of a valid DoD ID card or Mountain Community Access Badge.
  • Be 18 or older and fall into one of the following categories: Soldiers, family members, retirees and their spouses, Department of the Army civilian employees.
  • Meet their guests at the VCC to sign them in.
    DoD ID cardholders may pre-coordinate for the arrival of any visitor by applying for a pass in advance through the Access Control Office. Please follow the steps outlined below to download and submit an Application for Sponsorship (IMDR-ES Form 2). A request must be submitted a minimum of 72 hours in advance of a visitor's arrival.
  • Be willing to accept responsibility for their sponsored guests while those guests are visiting the installation.
  • Once a pass is obtained, pass holders may enter Fort Drum via any gate that is open.

Any individual attempting to access Fort Drum without a DoD ID card or an approved pass / badge will be redirected to the VCC to be properly vetted, even for those in uniform or government employee.

 

Trusted Traveler Program Information

The Trusted Traveler Program allows DoD ID cardholders 18 or older to escort non-DoD ID cardholders (except for foreign nationals) within their own vehicle without completing sponsorship paperwork. Those who exercise Trusted Traveler must escort their visitors while they are on Fort Drum. Trusted Traveler does not eliminate the requirement for all individuals 18 or older to provide authorized identification: driver’s license, government-issued ID, school ID card, passport, etc. Please note that contractors, Mountain Community non-military residents and foreign nationals are NOT eligible to participate in the TTP, even those who possess a valid DoD ID card.

 

Foreign nationals:

Foreign nationals who are NOT on official orders must follow the above steps to obtain sponsorship and a pass. Additionally, individuals must be escorted by their sponsors at all times after entering Fort Drum until their departure.

Contractors:

Contractors who do not possess a DoD ID card or Local Access Badge will not be allowed on post without a sponsor. Please contact your supervisor for additional information. Personnel who require a Local Access Badge are asked to call (315) 772-8585 to make an appointment.

Special events:

Special procedures will be put in place and announced for communitywide special events such as Mountainfest.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING

 IMDR-ES FORM 2 and IMDR-ES FORM 3

Any of these forms can be printed, filled in, signed, and dropped off in person at Bldg. 11008, Visitor Control Center, between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. 

Forms also can be filled in, signed electronically, and emailed to usarmy.drum.imcom.mbx.des-acp@mail.mil.

If there is an issue found during background checks, you will be notified telephonically.

If there are no issues, passes will be prepared and can be picked up at the VCC outside of Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan Gate during normal business hours.

Pass requests will be processed in the order they are received. If you plan to visit on a particular day and want to avoid waiting in line at the VCC, you can submit your request in advance and your pass will be waiting for you. Please allow up to 72 hours for processing.

If sponsored personnel will arrive after 10 p.m., please annotate it in your justification. The passes will be moved to Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan Gate, where they can be picked up inside with appropriate identification.

Questions may be directed as follows:

  • Captain of the Guard at (315) 772-9959, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday;

  • Sergeant of the Guard at (315) 772-8392, 24 hours a day; or

  • Visitor Control Center at (315) 772-8585, 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

 

REAL ID compliance

Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. 

By this date, not only must all states be issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses or IDs, but individuals must also have visited their state’s driver’s licensing agency and obtained a REAL ID-compliant card, or acceptable alternative such as a U.S. passport, if they wish to fly on commercial aircraft or access federal facilities.

Federal agencies, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), may only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities – including TSA airport security checkpoints – if the license or card was issued by a REAL ID-compliant state in accordance with the REAL ID security standards (meaning the license or card must include the REAL ID-compliant star marking). 

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking, and this is acceptable.

REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and it will not be accepted as proof of identity.

REAL ID stars 9-27-19.jpg

For more information, visit the DHS REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions webpage at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions.