History

Milestones in Advocate Drum's Story

The Beginning

The U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division was reactivated in 1985, with Fort Drum, New York, chosen as its home installation in the fall of 1984. The Division was initially organized as a Light Infantry unit. During this period, the Tri-County region’s citizens, directly impacted by the Division’s presence, established the Fort Drum Steering Council. This Council’s primary role was to serve as the first point of contact between the military and civilian communities.

Funded by the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment and local agencies, the Council was set to disband when its planning role was no longer deemed necessary, officially ending in September 1990.

A New Organization Forms

Recognizing the need for continued communication, Advocate Drum was created to maintain ongoing dialogue between the military and civilian communities. This new organization addressed issues that transcended the specific responsibilities of individual agencies, serving as a central point of contact for both communities.

Original Mission and Goals

In 1990, the Advocate Drum Board of Directors outlined eight goals to guide the organization’s mission:

Promote better understanding between the military and civilian sectors of the Fort Drum region.
Foster collaboration between military and community leaders to address shared concerns.
Ensure continuity in community relations amid frequent leadership changes.
Establish a robust communication network to support mutual responsibilities.

Develop cooperative agreements leveraging the human, financial, and physical resources of both communities.
Support the continued growth and prosperity of the Fort Drum region.
Create a long-term vision for cooperation between military and civilian components.
Celebrate mutual successes and
accomplishments.

Growing Together as Neighbors

The 1990s marked a period of mutual adjustment between Fort Drum and the local community. Fort Drum’s unique construction created shared interests, particularly as no schools or hospitals were built on-post. Around 2,000 housing units were leased off-post via the 801 housing program.

As the Division became the most deployed in the U.S. Army, local businesses and residents grew accustomed to the cyclical nature of military deployments, while also learning how to support the families left behind. Despite the challenges, the military and civilian communities grew closer, united in their support for each other.

The 1990s also saw the introduction of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds, and Advocate Drum played a key role in protecting Fort Drum from closure by working closely with local, state, and federal representatives. The closure of Griffiss Air Force Base led to the construction of a new runway at Wheeler-Sack Airfield, further solidifying Fort Drum’s importance as a strategic military installation.

Facing 21st Century Challenges

In early 2001, Advocate Drum initiated a five-year strategic planning process to assess its strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Following the events of 9/11, planning assumptions were updated to reflect the nation’s new security priorities. The resulting strategic plan, adopted in January 2002, set the vision for the organization to make the Fort Drum region:

The Army’s and Soldiers’
first choice.

A vibrant and attractive
community for all residents.

A region that meets
the needs of both military
families and civilians.

As the 2005 BRAC round approached, Advocate Drum took immediate action, forming a BRAC Steering Group, “Drum 2020,” to advocate for Fort Drum’s continued presence. With strong community backing, extensive advocacy, and strategic presentations to decision-makers, Advocate Drum succeeded in ensuring Fort Drum’s future.

Housing Needs and Community Growth

Following the 2005 BRAC success, Advocate Drum continued to focus on housing and economic development. With the expansion of Fort Drum, the demand for off-post housing increased significantly. Advocate Drum facilitated efforts to meet this demand, securing funding from state and local sources and supporting the creation of new housing projects like the Creek Wood development in Watertown.

Advocate Drum also spearheaded efforts to address the needs of soldiers’ families, focusing on expanding rental housing options and promoting long-term residential community growth. The organization’s proactive approach led to the creation of over 690 new rental units, with more in the works to meet future demands driven by the military’s deployment cycles.

Sustaining Progress

As Advocate Drum’s leadership transitioned in 2011, Keith Caughlin took over as chair and continued the organization’s commitment to improving housing availability for soldiers and their families. The need for additional housing remained a priority, with ongoing studies and new initiatives aimed at expanding rental options to accommodate the growing population.

Through federal support, including grants from the Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment, Advocate Drum has maintained a focus on growth management, economic development, and the well-being of the Fort Drum region’s residents, ensuring continued prosperity for both the military and civilian communities.

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