05/08/2020
U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division
Good morning all! Itâs Friday and we have a few updates to highlight today as we head into the weekend.
First an update about the Airfield gate: Effective Monday, May 11, the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield Gate will be open to all patrons with valid ID cards and passes (no Trusted Traveler) during the hours of 5:30 am â 10:00 pm. The gate will be closed during DONSAs, weekends and holidays. When the WSAAF Gate is closed, ID Card/pass holders requiring access to the airfield should enter through the Gas Alley Gate and cross over Route 26 via Nash Boulevard to the Bomporto Bridge. Sponsors/visitors with an exception to policy seeking passes for installation access should report to the Visitor Control Center at the Cerjan Gate before attempting to use the WSAAF Gate.
Also as of Monday, May 11, the Optical Shop at the Main Exchange will open during the following hours with limited staffing - Monday - Friday: 12pm - 3pm; closed weekends. The Optometrist at the Main Exchange will also open beginning May 11 during the following hours with limited staffing - Tuesday - Wednesday: 0930-1700; Friday: 0930-1700; Saturday: 0900-1600. Closed Sunday â Monday and Thursday. Please note - patrons are required to wear a mask during their time in the Exchange.
Please note that Riverfest has been CANCELLED due to on-going New York State restrictions for the prevention and mitigation of COVID 19. However, Mountainfest has been rescheduled for August 27 so keep an eye out for more information about that classic summer event!
Donât forget tonightâs dinner pickup from Fort Drum FMWR in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day. They are offering a free Italian dinner for the family with pickup at the Main Post Chapel starting at 4:00 p.m. tonight. See the flyer in the comments for more info!
If you have any questions please drop them in the comments and weâll work to get the answer.
- Reporting Status -
Mission Required Personnel Only
Please speak with your chain of command/supervisor to determine whether or not you are considered mission required and for further guidance.
- Gate Information -
Cerjan Gate: OPEN
Gas Alley Gate: OPEN
WSAAF Gate: CLOSED â will open starting May 11 to all patrons with valid ID cards and passes (no Trusted Traveler) during the hours of 5:30 am â 10:00 pm. The gate will be closed during DONSAs, weekends and holidays.
Mount Belvedere Gate: OPEN to DoD ID Holders ONLY; Non DoD ID holders attempting to access the installation through Mount Belvedere ACP (i.e contractors, personnel with an approved visitors pass or local access badge) will be turned away and asked to proceed to LTG Paul Cerjan or Gas Alley gates. As the Trusted Traveller program is still suspended, this includes personnel traveling with a DoD ID card holder (i.e. visitor's pass holder, local access badge holder, Taxi/Uber/Lyft transporting DoD ID holders). These individuals will be turned around and directed to LTG Paul Cerjan or Gas Alley gates due to medical screening requirements.
The Cerjan and Gas Alley Access Control Points will have designated lanes for DOD ID card holders and Non-DOD ID card holders. Please look out for those signs and enter the appropriate lane.
Those seeking admittance to post will be required to submit to a verbal screening: Have you traveled outside of 40 miles from Fort Drum?
Those who answer yes will be provided further guidance by the gate guard on duty. If it is determined that the individual is at risk and they have official business on Fort Drum, they will be directed to the proper military treatment facility for further evaluation. Individuals that exhibit any symptoms due to allergies will be allowed onto post.
Individuals returning to Fort Drum from an off-post medical appointment should inform the medical screener at the gate that you are returning to your on post residence from a medical appointment.
No one who has a requirement to access the installation for essential services (PX, Commissary, emergency services) will be turned away from the installation. This includes Soldiers/dependents living on post, Soldiers/dependents living off post who are seeking medical care on post, DOD ID card holders (Active duty military, DA Civilians, and dependents) and retirees and eligible family members.
Individuals at risk that do not have official business on Fort Drum will be advised to seek further medical evaluation at an off post medical facility.
The Trusted Traveler program is suspended. Visitors with a bona fide need to enter post will need to go to the Visitor Control Center (Cerjan Access Control Point) during normal business hours from 5:30am â 10pm, where they will submit to background checks and screening.
All visitor passes must be resubmitted through the Soldierâs Chain of Command. Anyone wishing to have a visitor on post who is traveling from more than 40 miles away will need to submit both a completed visitor request memo and an application for sponsorship to the Physical Security Office. You can find an example memo here: https://bit.ly/2wDPdGk It should be completed by your unit prior to submission. You can find the application for sponsorship here: https://bit.ly/3auItcf Completed forms can be submitted to [email protected] (preferred method) in advance or at the VCC in person during normal operating hours.
Retirees and beneficiaries must go through medical screening before entering post.
Contractors and other service providers should seek clarification for Fort Drum access from their supervisors.
Delivery drivers who werenât vetted for access prior to the pandemic will be directed to the Visitor Control Center at the Cerjan Gate. There they will need to submit to background check and show proof of their delivery requirement and if all is in order, theyâll be allowed access to make the delivery. If, for any reason the delivery driver does not pass the background check, customers will need to pick up their anticipated delivery at the VCC.
Taxis, Uber and Lyft drivers that were vetted to operate on Fort Drum will now be allowed to bring DoD ID card and Local Access Badge holders onto post for drop-off purposes only. After dropping off the fare, they must immediately leave post and will not be allowed to pick up additional fares while on post. It is suggested that individuals looking to use these services to get onto post ask their drivers if they have approved access to the installation prior to accepting the ride and incurring a fee.
Taxi drivers who do not already have pre-vetted access will be given one-time access to post to drop off their riders if they submit to and successfully clear backgrounds checks and their riders are in possession of DOD ID/LAB holders and/or an Exception to Policy as necessary (ie. greater than 40 miles of travel). Riders should expect to pay an increased fare based on the time it takes for an un-vetted driver to submit to the background checks/gain entry to post. Riders can choose to be dropped off at the Visitor Control Center and picked up by a DOD ID card holder if the driver does not have access to post.
Riders who have an ETP to access post (GS14+/O5+ approved bona fide need to enter post) but do not have a DoD ID/LAB card must submit to background checks (and successfully clear) prior to entry to post via any of these services.
Visitors without a valid ETP are NOT permitted. Anyone accessing post via a taxi/Uber/Lyft must have the following based on the nature of the access request:
1. DOD ID CARD/Local Access Badge/ Valid ID and, if applicable, one of the below:
a. Valid ETP if traveled outside of 40 miles
b. Valid ETP by a GS 14/O5 or higher with Command authority if not in possession of a DOD ID Card/LAB (Personnel are required to have a background check prior to entry, personnel arriving by taxi will be granted a day pass in order to link up with sponsor and complete the escort process).
- COVID Resources -
Fort Drum Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC): https://bit.ly/2UI6J42
Fort Drum Quarantine & Isolation Assistance Line: 315-783-5828 (8 am - 4 pm, Mon - Fri)
Samaritan Resource Line: 315-755-3100 (8 am - 9 pm, 7 days/week)
Carthage Area Hospital: 315-519-5497 (9 am - 7 pm, 7 days/week)
Lewis County General Hospital: (315) 376-9678 (Available 24/7)
Watertown COVID Resources: www.watertowncovidresources.org
NYS COVID Emotional Support Line: 1-844-863-9314
APHC Army COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523 (Available 24/7)
- Health Guidance -
Care for COVID Positive Patients:
Bowe TMC will be closed to routine healthcare services and only treating those patients identified as COVID 19 positive. Any COVID-19 positive beneficiaries, including Soldiers, Family members and Retirees, are asked to contact their assigned Nurse Case Manager or the MEDDAC Appointment Line at (315) 772-2778 to request an appointment before physically going to a treatment facility. This includes appointments for both COVID-19 related care and non-COVID-19 related care. Please inform the call center representative of your COVID-19 status. Soldiers previously receiving primary care at Bowe TMC will now receive their care at the Conner TMC. Family members and Retirees will still receive their primary care at the Guthrie clinic unless they are COVID-19 positive.
Wear of Masks:
Masks are required to be worn in all public spaces where a distance of 6 feet or more between individuals cannot be maintained. This also applies to the PX and Commissary. Customers must be wearing a mask/face covering to enter and they will not be provided at the door so please ensure you bring one with you.
⢠Soldiers are authorized to wear the neck gaiter and other cloth items, such as bandannas and scarves, as face coverings. This guidance applies for both indoors and outdoors as well as while in uniform. Everyone will use good judgment in choosing a mask or cloth face covering.
⢠Service members will not wear masks or cloth face coverings that have profanity, racist, demeaning or derogatory logos, script or imagery.
⢠The medical white and light blue type / style mask is authorized with all uniforms.
⢠Cloth masks or face coverings should be washed daily.
⢠Do not wear the N95 respirator mask. It should be reserved for our medical personnel.
⢠Do not wear high altitude training masks in uniform.
Remember â the mask is not to protect you from getting the virus, it is to protect the spread of the virus as you may be asymptomatic and not know that you have the disease. You can find the full DoD memo here: https://bit.ly/2X9C6aF If you have any questions about the wearing of face coverings within your unit or workplace, please reach out to your chain of command or supervisor.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring all individuals to wear face masks when in public and unable to maintain a distance of 6 feet or more from others. So remember to bring your mask if youâre headed off post
COVID Screening:
Active duty Soldiers who wish to be screened and whoâre experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath, can report to the central screening location outside of the Conner Troop Medical Clinic between the hours of 0800 and 1700, Monday - Friday. Outside of those hours, Soldiers should reach out the the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273 for guidance.
Family members and retirees who are Fort Drum MEDDAC beneficiaries and who are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 should call the Guthrie appointment line at (315) 772-2778 during business hours for screening. After hours please call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273, select option 1.
The drive-up pharmacy will continue to operate until further notice, more info here: https://bit.ly/2WuGbG8
DA Civilians experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at work or on duty should immediately notify their supervisor and call the MEDDAC Occupational Health Clinic at (315) 681-1901 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A healthcare worker will conduct an initial screening over the phone and provide additional information as to your next steps. For after-hours care or when not on duty, employees should contact their primary care provider and follow their directions for screening.
- Facility Entrance Procedures -
Mandatory health screenings are now being conducted for those wishing to gain entrance to the Exchange, Commissary and Clark Hall. Anyone seeking admittance to these buildings will be required to submit to a temporal temperature check and answer the same questions being required at the gates.
Guthrie Clinic: Single Point of Entry - Everyone entering the clinic will do so at the far side of the Primary Care Clinic and follow the directions of the MEDDAC personnel at the tents for screening. Employees can be screened at the Radiology / Lab entrance between 6 and 7 am. After 7 am, employees will utilize the PCC entrance.
OB/GYN clinic at the Samaritan Medical Center: Before your visit, please read through the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the questions, call the clinic at 315-785-4609 before arriving at the clinic to receive further guidance from our staff:
1. Have you had contact with someone with a positive COVID-19 test or has a pending COVID-19 Test?
2. Do you have a cough?
3. Have you had a fever, chills, sweats, body ache in the past 7 days?
4. Are you feeling ill?
5. Have you traveled outside of 40 miles from Fort Drum in the last 14 days?
Please do not show up to the clinic without clearing with the clinic if you answer yes to any of the above questions.
For your scheduled OB or GYN appointment, upon arrival to the parking garage (or parking lot), please call 315-608-1327 to check in and remain in your vehicle.
At this time, only the patient is allowed into the clinic. Partners are being asked to wait in the car. Patients can video conference their partners during appointments if desired. If there is a language barrier, we do have a language line to use. We must know which specific language/dialect to use at least 1 day prior to your appointment.
Behavioral Health: Patients should report to the Conner Troop Medical Clinic for screening prior to going to the Wilcox Clinic or Embedded Behavioral Health clinics. Once cleared, patients will receive a wristband, which will be required before entering one of the behavioral health clinics.
Clark Hall: Single Point of Entry - Anyone needing to access Clark Hall must enter through the front doors of the facility. This includes mail clerks retrieving mail for units. After entering through the front doors, mail clerks should proceed to the second floor and utilize C-wing to access the Official Mail Distribution Center.
- Restrictions -
Barracks: Soldiers can no longer visit another unitâs barracks until further notice. Example â a Soldier from 4-31IN cannot visit a Soldier in 41BEB barracks
Public Spaces: All Fort Drum public community spaces, to include playgrounds, dog parks, tennis/basketball courts, soccer fields are off limits to all personnel until further notice. Trails remain open at this time. Please continue to practice safe social distancing when using these paths.
- Services Status -
The most recently updated service(s) information is listed below. For the full list of closures and adjustments visit https://home.army.mil/drum/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/coronavirus-update
Auto Skills Center - Open by appointment only beginning 5 May, Tues - Sat 0800-1600, 5 bay maximum. You can make an appointment by calling 315-772-7902
Barber Shops: CLOSED
Car Washes: OPEN
CDCs and SAC: OPEN to mission essential patrons. Chapel CDC and South Riva Ridge CDC will continue to be combined in building 10785C at the Main Post Chapel on Po Valley Road. On Monday, May 4th, the Po Valley Child Development Center will reopen to currently registered and enrolled patrons in order to expand child care opportunities on post. Patrons wishing to restart care based on being called back to work full-time will need to provide documentation that there are no home-based child care options currently available. For Soldiers, this will require a memo signed by a O5 or higher. For DA civilians and contractors this will require a memo signed by a GS 14 or higher supervisor. For spouses, this will require a memo on the company's letterhead signed by the supervisor confirming work hours and current essential/required status. Please note, being called in for PT will not automatically qualify patrons for child care. If you want to submit paperwork or check to see if you qualify, please contact CYS Administrative Office at 315-772-6715. For the memo please go to: https://drum.armymwr.com/promos/cys-mission-required-personnel-verification-form.
Commissary: OPEN Tues-Sun 0900 to 1700 for service members and their beneficiaries and 1700 to 1900 for retirees and other authorized users. Please note that everyone entering the commissary is required to wear a face mask that they have brought with them. Masks will not be provided at the door. 100% ID check has been implemented at the doors and purchase limits have been placed on certain high demand items. Shoppers are asked to not bring in their own shopping bags at this time. Commissary curb-side pick-up is now available for individuals in Level 1 Quarantine, shoppers who have been turned away from entering the store due to illness & retirees. Curb side pick-up is available Tuesday - Friday from 9am to 3pm only. Individuals in the aforementioned categories who wish to utilize this program should fill out this form found here:https://drum.armymwr.com/application/files/7915/8817/4592/Ft_Drum_Commissary_Order_Form.pdf indicating desired items and pick up time, and email it to [email protected]. Individuals who do not have email can call-in their order at 315-772-7807. Customers will be called when their groceries are being checked-out to provide payment information directly to the cashier. Customers utilizing the program will be required to load their own groceries or indicate at the time of purchase that they'd like to use a bagger to load, keeping in mind baggers are paid via tips. Customers must be specific in their desired items for purchase as substitutions will not be made. This program is made possible by volunteers at the Fort Drum BOSS program and through the cooperation of the Fort Drum Commissary.
Dental Clinics:
Stone Dental Clinic - CLOSED
Marshall Dental Clinic - only offering emergency sick call and pre/post deployment and retirement exams. Please call 315-772-8891 to speak to a dentist and be screened before coming in.
DFACs: OPEN - take out options only
FMWR Fitness Facilities: CLOSED, Monti - OPEN for UBW Soldier participants ONLY; no towel service.
ID Card/DEERS:
In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, DoD has issued the following guidelines for ID card offices.
- ID Cards will not be replaced due to changes in the personal information printed on the ID Card. Grade changes and name changes will NOT be completed at this time.
- Cardholders whose Common Access Cards (CACs) will expire within the next 30 days will have the capability to update their own certificates to keep that card valid. Please note that this is a temporary measure and the CAC must be unexpired when attempting to update the certificates. You can find a guide for this process here: https://bit.ly/2VO6vc3.
- USID cards (dependent, retiree and all non-CAC) that expired on or after 1 January 2020 are now valid until 30 September 2020 and can be used to gain access at the gates and access benefits.
- DoD has directed that the minimum age for initial issuance of a childâs ID Card is increased from 10 to 14 years of age.
- The online appointment scheduling feature has been disabled. Those needing to make an appointment or ask a questions should call 315-772-5149.
- Masks are required to be worn by everyone in the ID card facility, please bring your own.
- Soldiers assigned to a 10th Mountain unit should direct questions to their own Brigade S1. All other customers contact [email protected] or 315-772-5149.
Niagara Express: CLOSED
Outdoor Recreation: Open by appointment only beginning Monday May 4, Mon - Fri 0800-1600, for the following: rentals of trailers (auto hauler, utility, clam shell, dump), motorized boat, 16â, non-motorized watercraft (kayak, canoe, paddle board), recreation equipment (horse shoes, cornhole, bicycles, rod and reel, PFDs, hiking package), mechanical equipment (generator, lawnmower, wood splitter). Call 315-772-5169 for appointments.
Outdoor Recreation Range: Open by appointment only beginning May 9, Sat - Sun 1000-1700. Call 315-772-5169 to make an appointment.
Popeyes: Mon-Sun, 1100 to 1900
PX: OPEN Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1700; Please note that all visitors to the PX are required to wear a face mask that they have brought with them. Masks will not be provided at the door. In an effort to support social distancing measures, the Fort Drum PX has expanded their services to include curbside pickup. Place your order online at shopmyexchange.com as a âBuy on line Pick up in storeâ order for the Fort Drum Exchange. When the order is ready, the store will call and offer the curbside pickup option. At the store, shoppers park in a designated numbered space, call the phone number on the sign 315-836-7463 and the order is delivered to their vehicle.
PX (Mini Mall): OPEN Mon-Fri 0600-2100, Sat 0700-2100, Sun 0700-2000
Ramadan Guidance: Due to COVID-19 there wonât be the normal opportunities for communal worship and fast breaking meals with friends and neighbors. Our Chaplains are available to provide any support they can during this time. Please reach out to them with questions and concerns: (315) 772-5591, during business hours and (315) 772-5647 after duty hours.
Religious Services: All services will now be conducted virtually. Please visit @FortDrumChapel for more information.
Remington Park - Trails and recreation areas will be open from dawn to dusk. Please remember that social distancing is still necessary when using these areas. There will be signs present throughout the park.
School Liaison Officer: Available to assist with K-12 school questions and concerns - [email protected] or 315-772-3214
- Telework Guidance -
NEC is advising that computer quarantines will continue as usual for systems that do not receive the regular updates. Teleworking individuals should connect through a VPN for at least 4 hours a day to ensure computers receive required patches. This can be completed during both duty or non-duty hours.
- Tax Assistance -
Some updated information is available from the Fort Drum Legal Assistance Office for those still needing to file their 2019 taxes. The deadline for filing has been extended to July 15 and there are some new ways you can get assistance online during this crisis. For more information, visit our Tax Advisory Program page here: https://bit.ly/2VlhERl
- Scam Alert -
There have been recent reports of scammers calling members of the Fort Drum community and claiming to be representatives from the federal government reaching out to provide federal relief funds. Soldiers should be vigilant about protecting themselves and their Family members from scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Government will never call you seeking information about your bank account or other financial matters and you should never provide that information over the phone. Anyone who believes they are the victim of a scam or predatory action should contact the Office of the New York Attorney General to file a complaint. More information: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/ag-james-warns-north-country-about-coronavirus-scams. Soldiers and Family members with questions and/or concerns may also contact the Fort Drum Legal Assistance Office at 315-772-5261.
