What Needs To Be Changed?

Having just recently retired after 20 years of service, its a slap in the face to find out that I cannot go to a gym om Fort Drum PERIOD. I understand the gym may be used for PT during the winter months but now throughout the entire day. I am sure there are plenty of volunteers out there to keep the gym going.

It has come to my attention that some of our wounded soldiers, with REAL NEEDS (limitations, illness, etc), are unable to clear snow from their driveways... this is UNACCEPTABLE!

Other than the fact that they are surely violating their profiles, worse than that is that they could harm themselves irreparably.

We MUST take care of the soldiers in the WTU! Individual squads and platoons are doing everything they can... the cadre is over-extended, everyone is drowning in "must do's" and "have-to's" - paperwork and red-tape must haunt these guys in their sleep. I have this image of a soldier with his finger over the hole in the dam, trying to hold back the flood waters. Unfortunately, our wounded soldiers are falling between the cracks.

So as a community, we MUST pull together and help our wounded soldiers during the hard winter months... ALL OF US, whether we have a wounded soldier in our unit or not!

If I were the CG at Fort Drum, my solution to this issue would be:

1. Organize a platoon of volunteers who can assist WTU soldiers with snow removal SPECIFICALLY - both ON AND OFF POST.

2. Organize an Adopt-A-Wounded-Soldier program through our MWR, USO, BOSS, or individual unit FRG organizations from all Fort Drum units who want to help.

3. Organize an effort through our Chaplain Corp, who can work with the on-post and off-post Chapels and community religious organizations to put together a team of snow-shoveling volunteers.

These soldiers SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ASK FOR HELP...this should be a preemptive effort where we ENSURE driveways are cleared before they have to ask.

THESE SOLDIERS DESERVE COMPLETE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT.

I suspect some are embarrassed to ask for help - in which case, to preserve their pride and self-esteem, establishing a group of volunteers who INSIST on helping would be appropriate.

It looks like we have a terrible storm on the way -- this cannot wait.

Back here at home we Have a Rear detachment to handle the units day to day operations while the unit is deployed. Now mind you there are only a hand ful of people in each Company. Here is my issue with the current situation. If you are going to have a rear detachment with only an handful of people in each company, and then have "power hungry" and inexperienced E-5s running as the company commanders, your soldier's moral is going to be way down. Believe me I have seen it. It is not good. I think that someone of higher rank should be put into that said position, or what you should do is get rid of all of the companys,and then just combine every one in to one, and have the BN commander be the commander and the 1SG instead of being the acting CSM, be the 1SG. This is now getting rediculous. Soldiers are screwing up, and not acting right, no matter how much you try and motivate them. Their moral is just so down that they don't care anymore. You have an E-5 in the commanding position, telling the soldiers that are up for promation that they will not go to the e-5 board until that said E-5 gets their E-6. Now I don't know about you but that's not right. I just think things need to get changed or fixed before things get worse.

I understand that in order to receive an AER loan there has to be a true emergency. But while screening soldier just to get an application and then again later to get an appointment, the front desk and the personnel in the back make you feel like you are in a welfare line. As if we mismanaged our money just because we are in a temporary rut. They also ask a lot of personal questions right there in the front desk with no regards to whomever is around. I found myself disrespected and as if I was begging for food. I initially thought that maybe I was being a little too sensitive but when I later when there with someone else they had said something about it before I had even mentioned it. We later asked other soldiers there about their experience there and it ran along the same lines of how we felt. We are people, not dogs, and the Civilians that are working there need to realize that some people don't put themselves in these situations to be ridiculed. I myself was an Accounts Payable clerk in my civilian life, for about 7 years before I joined the military, I know how to balance a checkbook, please don't insult me, please don't ask me what my financial situation is in front of others, please don't give me attitude when I ask for an AER Loan Packet, and please don't ask me, "Well...why can't you pay your bills?". It's degrading.

I would have to say spending two Christmas' in Iraq is something I would change if I could. After already missing two of some very important holidays (I.E. 2 Halloweens with our children, 2 thanksgivings, 2 Consecutive birthday's of a child, etc) missing a second Christmas is a severe blow to one's morale. We have built over 17 Bases, upgraded twice as much, done route repairs, culvert repairs and denials, and many other important tasks, and after accomplishing more in 6 months than most accomplish within a whole deployment, we are rewarded with a second Christmas in Iraq. Our deployment is drawing near, and our replacements will be here and yet someone finds a need for all of us to be in Iraq for two Christmas's. I understand that everyone is essential to the mission here in Iraq, however, it would be a big morale booster to be able to leave just a little bit early and reach our families for Christmas.

Thanks everyone for the great input to this question - with about 100 entries it has been the most responded to question.

Many of you offered some great things for me to work on and some just wanted to vent - either way - I appreciate the comments

I have selected the top 3 items mentioned to respond to in order to keep entry short but have copied all comments and where appropriate have asked staff, MEDDAC or Garrison CDR to look into your recommendation.

1. Housing. Lots of energy out there on a variety of housing items. The Garrison CDR and FDMCH have addressed many already but let me try to give my view as CG on some of this. First - the Army does not intend by policy to house more than 35-39 % of married folks on post. So - we will always have the vast majority of our married soldiers living off post. Ft Drum actually houses a higher percentage of married Soldiers on post than any other large CONUS base at 38%. We also provide a higher percentage of homes to junior enlisted and NCO than any other post because of the cost of utilities off post. There are some concerns with the transition of neighborhoods as we have juniors living near seniors and a disparity in BAH payment for the same quarters. Most of this cannot be helped as it will take a few more years to get the new homes built and neighborhoods realigned. I cannot by law change the fact that when we live on post - we forfeit our BAH regardless of the home. I want everyoe to get the most value for their BAH dollar and in some cases living off post might be the best solution in the short term.

2. Hospital/Medical care. Most complaints stemmed from a belief that because Ft Drum does not have a military hospital that we have poor health care. I don't necessarily agree. The health care delivered off post is superb - granted there are individual cases where people are not satisfied but that would be the case if we had a hospital or not. We will work to address issues of health care delivery to ensure all of our beneficiaries get the best health care possible. Please continue to keep MEDDAC informed about good and bad encounters with the health care system. COL Penner has already addressed much of the issue and I know he works the issues hard.

3. Soldier Conduct. I was kind of blown away by all the comments concerning poor soldier conduct - everything from profanity, uniform violations, rudeness and criminal behavior. All I can say is that we have an obligation to live our values and we all have an obligation to correct misconduct when we see it. I believe the 10th MTN Div is a disciplined unit and has high standards and encourage all my Soldiers to set a high personal example and correct others. We don't need new laws or regulations - we all need to police our ranks.

We will report back some specific fixs to specific items you have given us through the Mountaineer and other command info venues - thanks again for submitting and please stay engaged. Contrary to what some people may say - your leadership does care about fixing issues - but it doesn't mean we always agree with the problem or the proposed solution. An example is the post security. Many want more security and many complain about the hassle of the gates. Since money does not grow on trees I cannot just hire more guards to check IDs or build more lanes. We - like you - have to balance our budget to meet as many critical needs as possible with the funds available.

CLIMB TO GLORY!

MG Oates

I understand they have the new Mobilisa equipment, that is not going to resolve much at the gate, if anything, i think it would make the wait times longer. especially if they are checking everybodies I.D.S. wouldnt it make more sense, to just do a percentage and only NON ID card holders? the machines will prob break, go dead, etc. often with all the flow of the traffic..there is far too much traffic through the gates. I understand it is needed for our security and protection against terrorists..However, we all have a mission here on post:). Maybe it would help if there was a better explanation of the equipment...Thank you Sir, for caring what we think and wanting to know what we think needs to be done.

Part 1
Thank you for providing input to this forum and your comments to make this a better installation. I am the Director of Human Resources and therefore responsible for addressing your concerns with the ID Card Section and Clark Hall. Not all agencies in Clark Hall are under my directorate but the Clark Hall facility itself is our responsibility.

In the past two years since assuming responsibility for the ID Card Section, we have done a great deal of work in reconstructing the ID Card Section to provide our customers with an expedient, customer friendly service. We have transitioned the section from a “first come first served, sit in the hallway for four hours” appointment process to a telephone reservation system and just this year added the on-line appointment reservation website that you can enter from the Fort Drum Home Page. To access this system, simply click on the “ID Cards/DEERS” link in the top left corner of the front page and then on the “ID Card Appointments” link on the ID Card webpage. That will take you to the Common Access Card Issuance site where you can then “Make”, “Look up” or “Cancel an Appointment”. With whichever action you choose, you will receive an email confirming your desired action. We hope that one of these options provide the means that meet your needs in getting an appointment. You can also come to the ID Card Section for a walk-in appointment but you are taking the chance that all appointments are filled and then it is first come, first served.

If you are at the ID Card Section and you meet with a less than friendly employee or someone that has not provided you an adequate level of service, I would encourage you to ask to speak with a supervisor. If you choose to send us an Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) comment, you can either send it anonymously or leave your name and contact information on the form and a DHR manager will respond to you directly. To facilitate the quickest means to get your complaint or satisfactory comment (we take them too) identified and/or rectified, this summer we installed an Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) kiosk in the foyer of Clark Hall, just outside of the ID Card Section near the staircase.

After reading this blog and availing myself of the complete ICE system, I ran ICE comments from 1 January – 31July 2008 and observed that the ID Card Section received a 97% customer service satisfaction rate during that period. I did not include August through November in that analysis because due to the heavy amount of Soldier Readiness Checks (SRC) since 1 August, it was like comparing apples and oranges. Further, during November we are in the process of performing the Reverse Soldier Readiness Check (RSRC) for our 1st Brigade Combat Team, with our 3rd Brigade Combat Team going through SRC next during the month of December. I would ask for your understanding and indulgence when we are doing these SRCs and RSRCs, as our deploying and redeploying Soldiers are our priority for issuing ID Cards. It goes without saying that this year has been an extremely heavy workload with both SRCs and RSRCs and it has been challenging to accommodate our other customers. In our attempt to provide the best customer service, our ID Card Section employees enthusiastically volunteered to come to work at 5:30 am and they are typically finishing and going home no earlier than 5:30pm.

Right now, you are probably wondering if I checked the customer service satisfaction rate since 1 August and the answer is, yes I did. During this period, our customer service satisfaction rate dropped to 93%, mostly due to the lack of available appointments while we are performing SRCs and Reverse SRCs. I am confident with all of us working together after we finish preparing our Soldiers to deploy, we can get this service back to a higher level with more satisfied customers.


Greg Ferguson
Director, Human Resources

I have worked in numorous places. Clark Hall. Guthrie Clinic ect. Why are the tempertures way to cool in the summer and way too hot in the winter? We have fans if we need them for summer. Sweaters for winter, which we wear in the summer. The building managers ignore the complaints from the workers. It would be a real treat to have picnic tables at Clark Hall for lunch in the summer. That was brought up years ago and said it was being looked at ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz. Not too much to ask. Just to get outside is a nice break and would help staying focused.
Good luck Sir

Why Fort Drum does NOT have an Emergency Care Unit that is open 24 hours is way beyond my comprehension. The surrounding areas, SMC mainly, is completly saturated!!! My family member:

1. does not have a military ID
2. and so, does not have access to post
3. has lived in the North Country all her life... 70+ years!!
4. has health issues that sometimes need IMMEDIATE care.

Because of the lack of forsight by Fort Drum's medical community, garrison command, and the command group in general, my family member had to suffer the unseen impacts of the sudden growth of the post. I understand that this is only one instance of one local citizen, but Fort Drum's population, I have learned is going to rival that of the surrounding areas. Far be it for me to just complain about one happenstance without offering a solution. One idea would be to getting "Big Army" to give Meddac an M-TOE that would allow it to keep their providers on post rather than deploying their providers to foreign countries. This would allow Guthrie to begin to grow as a "Hospital."

(Moderator Comment: This comment has been editied to conform with the Blog Comment Policy.)

Housing ... keep seeing this rank thing. Gotta agree that, due to the difference in BAH, JENL should not be living in the same area as officers. But, Drum is in transition.

Training ... our Soldiers get great training. Sometimes time is tight though. I would regulate more the TYPE of training. When a commander is congratulated for running the most gunneries in the history of Army Aviation for a commander while other training was let slide or rushed through is shameful.

Schools ... we have GREAT local schools. There is not a need for a school on post. The local schools need to do some redistricting which I believe is in the works. This will reduce the bus ride times. Oh, and DoD schools are not traditionally worse than the off post schools. In the South the DoD schools remained open while others closed because the performance of the students and quality of the edcuation exceded that of the off post schools.

Roads ... anyone been through a ice storm here? Hands down Watertown losses in the best road conditions. Same for snow. Drum works in order of priority. Most areas do. But they can only do so much. If people are out when they shouldn't be that slows the roads getting cleared. Super Bowl Sunday 2007 - 3 feet of snow overnight, no unnecessary travel advisory was in effect, couldn't see beyond 5 feet out of my front window and Soldiers were driving to the store FOR BEER!

FRGs ... FRGs are only as good as its commander and volunteers working together. Tough fact but the truth. FRSAs have enough power, so to speak, as they are only there to advise the commander. They are NEVER to replace the volunteers. A good FRSA / Commander relationship is all that is needed with the current job description for it to be effective. Have intimate knowledge of the program since it took its first breath of life on June 26, 2004.
Names on houses ... been there for at least 6 years. Use to only be the DIV leadership and Brigade Leadership though.

Finally ... good to see COL Penner and Mr. McLaughlin here. COL Penner is the best MEDDAC commander I've seen in the 3 or 4 that have been here over the past 6 years. He does listen to the families. I have personally emailed him with kudos, issues and questions and he ALWAYS responds.

I too would like the housing designation to be changed. My family moved to Fort Drum and into a SNCO neighborhood in December 2006. Shortly after that time, the neighborhood was redesigned for JENL/JNCO tenants. We were given the option to be placed on a waiting list for a SNCO neighborhood so we went ahead and placed ourselves on the list. That was over a year ago and we are nowhere near getting housing. We used to take pride in our neighborhood, as did many of our neighbors. Since the re-designation began, it is clearly noticeable. We see less manicured lawns and more "junk" strewn about. More kids running up and down the streets, with out parental supervision. Kids walking in our yards, literally right in front of our windows and then onto our personal walk ways. More domestic violence and police calls. Previously, I can only recall seeing the police drive by the house, now they are actually stopping at the neighbors. It no longer feels warm and safe. Then, there is the BAH issue which I would consider a huge issue. It really irks us to know we are "paying" more for the exact same living space as our neighbors. So, is FDMCH loosing money with them, or making it off from us? We have reported several incidence to the management with promises that something would be done, but nothing was. When we complained about the problem to housing official at Clark Hall, we were told we could move off-post if we are dissatisfied. Anyone here knows what type of housing is available in the area, making moving not a great option. Plus, why should my family be punished? We take great care of our home, our children, and our pets... we are responsible tenants plus my husband has earned the right to living among his peers.

Family Readiness Groups need better regulation. While rules have been implemented, no one regulates them. I think that the FRG Leader and Co-Leader position should be a combination of a Senior Spouse and a Junior Spouse. I also would recommend that clear lines be drawn as to the relationship of the Leaders and Command, as well as what subjects are the jurisdiction of the Command. I would also recommend giving the FRSA more authority since they essentially are an unbiased participant.

I would also like to say that I am happy with the road conditions in the winter. It's winter, the roads are going to be bad. The main roads of Fort Drum are maintained accordingly. It makes perfect sense that the primary roads take precedence over the secondary roads/side streets. I grew up in a 'snow state' so I am used to the conditions. There is nothing wrong with the way the roads are handled, people just need to realize that with winter comes bad roads and piles of snow. I would also like to state that I agree with the housing snow removal policy, with one exception. I think that residence should be responsible for not only their driveway and personal walkway, but the sidewalks in front of their house. I have heard all the complaints about shoveling, but seriously, people need to realize that it is again, part of living in a snow region. However, I think that housing is too lenient for those that do not maintain their driveways or personal walkways (among other things). The rules are in place for a reason and people should adhere to them or face the consequences.

I work on post as a civilian police officer, one of the things that I've mentioned in the past to other officers and my superiors is the fact that many of the houses now have names of the commander, unit and title of their position. I've said many times in the past, this sets them as somewhat of a target.

Don't we realize, this post, no matter how secure we may THINK it is, will not be for quite some time. Please, consider taking off the signage from those houses. If I were living there, or deployed, I sure wouldn't want some disgruntled person, whether it be a soldier or a civilian or even someone that is a protester or in the most extreme of circumstances, a terrorist or a threat. I would definitely NOT want my name, unit and position plastered on the side of my house inviting some sort of "engagement".

Patrolling this installation and seeing that, makes me somewhat nervous. We mask the names of soldiers while in the field, but what about when home? It's nice that we recognize them, but let's think a little deeper about what implications may also come of it on the negative aspect!

I have been here for 6 months now and I really like it. I have one suggestion which has been previously mentioned. Build a school on post! My kids are not of school age yet, they will be in 2 years and I am sure we will still be living here. It would bring more jobs to the community, save kids a long commute time and be convenient for families that live on post. I understand that this may be a budget issue but I really do hope that this is seriously explored.

I would not have thought a topic could generate more interest than the question “how long should tour lengths be”, obviously I was mistaken. There is both good and bad in the responses posted. I’ll start by saying it’s unfortunate the perception of folks off the installation is that Soldiers are not well behaved, don’t follow standards, etc., but it’s hard to argue when you are constantly correcting Soldiers on something as simple as the proper headgear or the fact they can’t wear a uniform in a bar. If you are a leader of any rank are you making the corrections or are you walking by? You know how many times I’ve told NCOs to turn down there music at the gas station or slow down while passing PT formations, which begs the question why they aren’t doing PT with their Soldiers…I’ve lost count.
If Soldiers don’t think there are things to do around Fort Drum, shame on them, they aren’t looking. BOSS programs exist; there is an outdoor activity in the North Country for each season. Heck there are even indoor sports, downtown Watertown, in the winter. Sometimes you have to get out and look. If organizations such as MWR aren’t getting the word out shame on them, if you’re sitting home complaining shame on you.
As for housing, medical and other installation issues I think they are being addressed by the right folks. My opinion is Drum is better than most other installations, as far as that goes we will all have to agree to disagree. Those who don’t like Drum will have the same gripes at any other installation to where they move. If you are really so unhappy about living on post, you can always move on the economy.
Lastly, since the question was what would you change, not complain about, if you were the CG, all I’d ask is that we change the Blizzard back to the old tabloid format.

I would tore down that unused welcome center on N. gate and buils at least 3 additional lanes to help with the long lines in the morning.

And how the PX/commisary is open weekdays til 2100 but the two days the soldiers are off of work,they close at 1800?

Fort Drum has never been great at keeping up the roads nor has it ever been considerate of those who don't have the luxury of living on post and driving in during treachorus road conditions. CG needs to get PW to do a better job plowing and the CG needs to recognized off post travelers and delay / close post before conditions get so dangerous that peoples lives are in danger. If you don't want to dispatch a government vehicle why would you want other on the road as well.

Lots of people are complaining about not having a hospital and the hours of Guthrie. I can tell you from using these services for over 10 years the new system works a 100 times better now. When they were open 24 hours, even till 11 you waited, and waited, and waited. At least now you get in and get out even if you have to wait a day. If you are so sick you can't wait a day then you won't mind an ER visit. What the clinic needs to do is open more doctors / pa positions to allow for more appointments.

My husband and I are both civilian workers on Fort Drum and have lived in the area all of our lives. My wish is that Soldiers and Family Members have some respect for those that work hard to provide services not only on Fort Drum, but in the surrounding communities. I'm not sure that Military Families understand that we "locals" have altered our way of living to accomodate Fort Drum Soldiers and Family Members. Instead of trying to find the positive aspects of the area, we hear complaints. Soldiers and their Families PCS off to a new duty staton, but they need to remember that this is still my hometown, be respectful while you are here.

Ok I am a Jr NCO as they say, but let me tell you that I am also a military brat so I have seend alot of other places and this is by far the worst place that I have seen that takes care of the Families. It is the the only post that I have ever seen that does not have some sort of school on post or a major Hospital. I think that it is crap that my two sons have to ride a bus for almost an hour cause of some deal that was made over 20 years ago. It is to my understanding that deal is over. I have heard rumors since the 4th BCT was actived that they were moving up here. Let me tell you that this place can not handle that many soldier or families here. Things need to start changing. The familes need to be taken better care of cause they are the ones that have to stay back deal with this stuff while we are gone. Get the things on post that will make it easier for them. The Army will do for us soldiers. As for the respect thing that younger soldier as well as some of my fellow NCO's seem to be having problems with these day. I think that is up the leadership to fix that not the CG he cannot be there all the time fixing things that is up the first line supervisor. I am going to say this one more time I thing we should take of the famlies.

Oh something else, I think that there should more on post things for the single soldiers to do, all I ever hear about is the fact that there is nothing for them to do. Not only give them things to here but let them know about the things that are out there in town. The Facilties overseas let it be known that what there is to do cause of the fact that it is another culture, let me tell you that outside of the walls of Foort Drum is another Culture as well. Offer more MWR trips to the city or other places that coulde fun and keep them from drinking themself stupid. I know that there are at least two amusment parks here in the state.

Those are just some of the things that I think of right now I am sure that if you stepped back look you could see more that needed to be fxed

(* sorry for the lengthy post, but these are HOT TOPICS!*)

9. The wretched conditions and the manner in which the Fort Drum Roads are plowed and left basically unmaintained! For instance, 35 degrees, heavy snow, off post, the roads have been clear for about 2 hours, on post though, the struggle continues getting the MAIN ROADS clear! It's not hard to keep up with the main thoroughfares. Did you ever notice that a lot of the older roads on OLD post seem to be plowed and cleared before the newer, highly used roads, like Mt. Belvedere, Iraqi & Enduring Freedom, the Riva Ridge Roads? Plows don't stay in the lanes, they plow all over the place, leaving 2-4 snow banks when the plows turn to make cars leave their LEGAL LANES OF TRAVEL, even going into ONCOMING traffic to clear the snow left behind. Is Public Works TRYING to create accidents by plowing like that? Plow the left lane towards the inner (median) side of the roadway on divided roadways, leaving a barrier, allowing safer travel. Plow to the right off the shoulder to prevent cars from entering oncoming traffic - are we CRAZY to make people do this? Not to mention, it would probably cut down on the amount the claims office has for vehicles damaged resulting from poor road conditions on post.

10. Provide a LARGER more UP TO DATE and PROPER hotel accomodations on post, not the old WWII barracks on officer's loop to put people. It would allow for family and boost the visitors to post, putting revenue back into Fort Drum and it's community AND to boost the relationship between the Watertown community and the installation. Family members traveling from out of town, retired military and many others authorized to use those facilities are still staying in old barracks, community bathroom style buildings. You can't go into the new age of the Army living on WWII ideas. Let's update!

And for the finale, I'm sorry for rambling on, I leave you with the below opinion offered by me and some basic information you can find, if you dig. We, as a people, take what we are spoon-fed and fail to exercise our abilities of researching information. IT'S ALL AVAILABLE, just look!

My response regarding the next few paragraphs, is based merely on the information that I have read on this blog regarding police activities. Some of the information that people have complained about is accurate, to a point, however, there are some high misconceptions about the suggestions and information provided to all.

First, I'd like to mention that yes, there are quite, if not most (approximately 80%) are ex-military or have served in the military at one point in their lives. The DA Police on Fort Drum have people that have worked or currently work or have worked for existing police agencies which include the US Army (MP's), US Navy, US Air Force, US Marines, New York State Police, Sheriff's Deputies, City Police, Investigators. There is no difference between the Fort Drum Department of Army Police and other police agencies surrounding the installation.

My husband recently retired and suddenly (expected) we became 2nd class citizens on post. I must say that the ID card section has NEVER been great with service (limited appts., days you can get an ID, wait times) but most importantly, their attitude towards their customers. I've seen it as a servicemembers spouse and now as a spouse of a retired servicemember. I've found them to be inflexible, poorly informed, uncaring and rude. This does not apply to all employees but the few bad apples are enough to spoil the whole barrel. They need to be reminded on a daily basis who their customers are and who they're working for. They should be providing service without making the customer feel like they're putting them out! Stop herding your customs through like cattle. Whenever I'm there I particularly watch how older, retirees are treated. I've seen these retirees look lost, out of place and unfamiliar with latest change # 100, no one from the section seems to notice only the customers who are waiting themselves. I've seen soldiers and other customers point them in the right direction. I'd like to see the employees treating their customers with humanity, not turn people away because the rules say they can't get an ID card today. I've seen the same treatment being dished out at Guthrie, again, it's not all employees. I've seen both active/retired customers being treated as if they were an inconvenience. I've been on the receiving end of a lost phone consult (you call one in, wait days without a response, you call back, there's no record of it) the clerk doesn't seem to care that you need some sort of advice. There's no effort on behalf of the clerk to speed it up seeing that your original phone consult was lost. Access to care is still a problem, you develop strep throat, running a fever, feel miserable and guess what? All the appts. at the ACC are taken! You have to WAIT to see someone else the next day or call the next morning at 9 am to see if you can get an appt. at the ACC. Better yet, go to the ER and clog up their waiting room. You'll have a guaranteed 8 hour wait. You can't use any of the UCCs in Watertown without getting an authorization. The ACC should be a 24 hour clinic, geared to treat emergencies. How does one plan to be ill? Guthrie won't become a hospital because there's an agreement to send business out to the local health care facilities, it sustains them and brings in new business. Not many new providers want to come here, pays poorly, the winters are harsh etc. so what we do have is filled beyond capacity. Where things can be changed that could alleviate some of the congestion is changing the ACC to a 24 hour ACC, without appts., or reserve part of the day for appts. Don't turn patients away if they don't have an appt, determine how urgent their care and work around it. Take some of the burden off the civilian sector.

Another issue I think deserves some attention is the fact that retirees are restricted from using the Pines Plains gym. One, I was told that the command could not justify having two gyms, therefore restricted Pines Plains to active duty and families only (which doesn't make any sense, you'd think if more people used it you could justify having it). Two, due to deployments they are trying to create a family environment in the gym and therefore retirees aren't allowed to use it, if they are allowed to use it it's on weekends. I just want to work out on weekends, yeah right! Either way, it's a slap in the face to the retiree. Hasn't she/he worked enough/deployed enough?? You can't work out with the people you used to because now you're a retiree and can't use the gym. I don't understand the logic behind this new policy, retiring doesn't mean you don't understand deployments, it doesn't mean you can't relate to the families. It simply means you've served your time. It's almost as if the word itself is a bad word....Retired or not - we should be treated equally and fairly.

I would have to say after being in the Army (wife) and being stationed in different places, Fort Drum has been the worst. The soldiers here are stuck up, think they are better that everyone and have no manners. I live in town and see them speeding (40) in a 25 with the loud mufflers and stereos shaking my house. And their potty mouths have got to go! They need to go through some class to reteach manners. Can't wait to leave this awful place.

I love Drum and I've been here for four years. I would make it Mandatory for every single Soldier and Married Soldier to get help once they come back from overseas. I don't feel as if enough is being done. Yes, we have resources that we as the Spouse can fall back on, but having your husband decide he automatically wants a divorce overseas is something a Wife should never have to hear. This is our second tour and the second time I am going through this. I've used my resources, but down range they aren't supporting him or trying to help him. I feel that the marriage retreats should be Mandatory at least once every six months for the married Soldiers

I also feel that the Security on Post is okay...I came from Carson which isn't near as strict, but you get used to it. As far as the housing on post...I feel that they are doing the best that they can with as fast as they are having to build. I do agree that they should make sure there isn't trash all over the yard, but you can't help the way some live. It's not our right to control them.

I have been here for 20 years, as a soldier, civilian, and now a dependent. I have worked as a command assistant and have experienced all levels of rank.
I have seen the manners of the military soldiers go from pretty good to down right awful. I understand you can't control what soldiers do or say when they're off duty. However, I've heard such foul language of all sorts, while they're in uniform, that I would be embarrassed to be a soldier right now. I opened the door to go into the PX the other day and two soldiers pushed me aside and went in while I held the door open! Meanwhile, one was telling a story to the other with the "f" word flying out of his mouth, left and right. They cuss around women and children, are disrespectful and shameful.
Now, not all soldiers are this way and I commend those who aren't. However, most now are very rude and disrespectful.
I'm not an old prude, like I said I was a soldier myself. We would have NEVER been disrespectable or vulgar in front of any civilians.
Yes, they are under tremendous stress. But that's just an excuse for poor manners.
This may not seem like much but it is.

I am an Army husband and also a contractor working on the airfield. Every day when I leave family housing, drive across post, just to drive onto the airfield and get rechecked makes me wonder if they may be a better way??
Has there been any study to "linking" the main post to the airfield by an overpass or tunnel? I think that this special access for post-to-post travel would decrease to gate checks by 30% at the very least.
God Bless Our Troops!

I have been a family member, a soldier, and a civilian at Fort Drum. So I feel I have a little insight into all sides of the story here. It begins with respect that flows through all lines, soldier to soldier to family members to workforce civilians.

1. If people had more to do these would have less to complain about. There are many activites on post which most people do not take advantage of to no ones fault but there own. I think an ATV trail would be a wonderful addition for the outdoorsman and even an outdoor swimming pool on post for the short summer months (some years will obviously be better than others!).

2. Training is of the upmost importance with the tempo of deployments but please take into consideration that in general these soldier are only home for 12 months before leaving for another 12 months when planning training excerises. Families are falling apart because of too much separation. Children and their soldier parent can't relate and their relationship are forever damaged.

3. Health Care on Fort Drum. Soldiers and Family Members are getting excellent care at Guthrie! It is expanding and a child care service is being implemented. In the mean time the people working at the facility have a duty to keep everyone safe and bringing extra children to appointments is not safe because the parent can not possible watch all the children and listen to the Doctor. People tend to abuse the services at Guthrie. Every snifle does not require an appointment.

4. Parenting skills classes should be mandatory. Too many times in housing, the commisary, the PX, the clinic, basically everywhere children are running wild. The parents obviously have no clue how to disipline or care for their children. A curfew on most is an absolute must, especially with the lack of parenting going on. There should be more CPS actions.

5. Lastly on my soapbox and most importantly if everyone would simply treat each other with respect a lot of these issues would resolve themselves. Soldiers, Family Members, and Civilians a lot of these people are one and the same person like myself use the Golden Rule (treat others as you would like to be treated) and you may just see you get better results, the old flies and honey story.

As CG, I would first build more family housing on post. According to the FCMCH website, "As a result of tremendous growth in the 10th Mountain Division, a wait list is in effect for all ranks." With the anticipation of Drum growing even larger personnel wise, there is already not enough "decent" housing for families near post. Of course there are other communities in the area, but one shouldn't be forced to look for housing towards Syracuse or at the Canadian border. Some people shouldn't have to drive 90 minutes round trip to get to work, coupled with the long lines at the gate for PT. This would alleviate gate lines for PT as well as help out soldiers financially whom might have trouble keeping the rent paid off post. With this, there should be separate communities for JENL/JNCO/SNCO/CGO/and FGO. While yes we are all human beings, an 18 year LTC has put in a lot of time, effort, and a lot more BAH for his living quarters than the SPC.

Second, start salting and plowing the roads as soon the snow begins to fall, not once it has piled up. And plow often!

Third, try to repair, update, or rebuild old post. There is no reason people should have to work in WWII era buildings.

I arrived at Fort Drum last September from Alaska. I had no problem getting my car in and out of parking lots at Fort Wainwright. After a heavy snow all barracks parking lots would be plowed, because not everybody can afford a 4-wheel drive vehicle or truck or SUV. So if you have a car you’re out of luck because the snow is over your tires sometimes. Plus the steep incline to get out of the parking lot. If I were CG for a day, I'd make sure we had more plows and look for a way to fix parking lots. I know we have a shortage of living areas, but there is so much emphasis on family housing. They get a housing allowance they can find a place off post us JR enlisted aren't allowed to move off until we are at least an E-6. We get crammed into tiny rooms with two people. There is barely enough room for two people and all the CIF the Army gets us, that there is little room left for our personal stuff. I'm a Soldier 24-7, but I don't always wear the uniform. Plus you have no personal space in two-man rooms. Day in and Day out you see each other and are bound to get on one another’s nerves. I know it's costly to build the single man rooms, and a majority of older military personnel had it rougher, but times are changing and Soldiers now are coming in at older ages. Many have college degrees like me and still decide to enlist instead of go officer. Most of my generation doesn't marry until they are in their 30s. So you have 26 and 27 year-olds living with 17-year olds. It creates friction and problems. Instead of making it a rank thing, make it an age thing. I have little in common with the younger Soldiers. I've lived on my own since I was 17; I've had my college and party time. Every weekend in the barracks there's a party. You can't stop the under-age from drinking and it puts us older Soldiers in a bad place. One I can watch over them, but I can also get in trouble. I don't have the money to stay in hotels on the weekend and I don't want to outlaw them, because then they'll drink without supervision and can find themselves in bad places. I'd work out a better way for Soldiers to live in Barracks. I would separate by age then units. That would also allow more integration between Soldiers on post not just within units. Make barracks rank, age, and then units. I'd put more pressure on NCOs and other Soldiers who have vehicles to take care of their Soldiers. I would give four or five Soldiers who didn't work with me rides, because their NCOs said it was not their responsibility to make sure their JR Soldiers got to work if they didn't own a vehicle. In summer and spring or even fall that is fine we can walk or ride a bike, but in the winter time that's just dangerous and irresponsible. I see a big swing from my Soldiers first to me first. As NCOs we should always put our Soldiers first. JR enlisted learn from their NCOs and if NCOs are always me, me, and me. That's how our JR enlisted will be when they are NCOs. I got a red cross and approved for emergency leave, but I had an NCO who was going to stop my emergency leave so he could use his use or leave dates. The Army will never survive as an I eccentric organization. We are a team and need to act like it. I was also a spouse for awhile. I dealt with my ex-husbands long hours, and would get very upset with spouses complaining. You married into the military, don't make it harder on your spouse. Yes they miss you and don't always like the long hours, but we're lucky we get 30 days of leave or more a year. Most weekends we are off and there are so many other days we get off. Yes we have field time and deployments at the moment, but it will get better. I'd have more classes for spouses and opportunities for them to see what their husband/wife does on a daily basis. Get them more involved with the military not just FRGs.

i use to live RICHARD housing area just moved cause i was medicaly retired, as for SR NCO, JR CNCO, LOWER ENLISTED, living in the same housing area it is not that big of a deal. I Lived next to an E7 who had the MP's at his weekly for either domestic abuse, or cps for having a dirty house. So the idea the more rank you have the better you live is false, iam a E5 AND I LIVE CLEAN never had cps over to inspect my house. so in my opion i don't think it matter who lives in what neighborhood from E1 TO E7 some people just live unhealthy.

My biggest issue is with the uniform. I have been a spouse for 20 plus years and it is very frustrating to drive to work and see Soldiers in a formation some with green fuzzy jackets some with black fleece some with black caps and some with the green ones. What is the standard? Is there one? It is also really really frustrating to go out to the mall at 8:30 and Soldiers are walking around looking like pure junk, shirts untucked, pants half bloused and then they walk out and put on a stupid wool cap in Sept really! My favorite was when we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and saw numerous people is ACU's. Now I was with my husband and another couple neither of them got off work until 1900 but we still went in civlian clothes, he knew we were going out so he brought his clothes to work with him. And what is UP with spouses wearing army pt uniforms ! OMG how is it positive advertisement for the military if you have a spouse that just rolled out of bed and goes to Wal Mart in her spouses PT tops or bottoms.
Also a good majority of Soldiers are RUDE - the other day my daughter and I went to the Shopette (I think some think it is a speedway) a truck of Soldiers pulled up so quickly they almost hit us on the sidewalk! Of course they all laughed and thought it was funny then one jumped out and ran into the store ahead of us and pulled the door shut behind him. The bad behavior I do not feel is limited to any specific rank - what I do have a problem with is when you are pumping gas and the music is blaring and you are surrounded by seniors who should make corrections but don't. I read in the Blizzard that courtesy patrols are starting up off post at the bars, here is an idea - lets fix the problems within the gates first, Maybe just Maybe enforcement on post will carry off post!