Watertown, NY, Nov 19, 2012 — Marital fidelity is a sensitive subject for many in the military. Relationships are stressed by distance, frequent moves and the dangers of war. Gen. David Petraeus's admission that he had an extramarital affair has led some Fort Drum families to reflect on the difficulties of keeping their personal relationships whole - and their image among a public that often doesn't understand their culture.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Oct 11, 2012 — For the first time since Fort Drum's expansion after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, all of its three brigade combat teams are back home at the post.

After revolving deployments in two wars, the need for mental health services in the 10th Mountain Division is unprecedented, and complicated.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Aug 24, 2012 — A memorial service was held at Fort Drum Thursday afternoon to remember the lives of two 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

24-year old Sergeant Jose Reyes, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, and 28-year old Staff Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez of Baltimore, Md., were killed July 18 when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The two were heavy-vehicle drivers.

Staff Sargeant Raffinee Adams praised Staff Sgt. Rodriguez for his leadership and compassion for his fellow soldiers. His wife attended the service, joined by their three children. Sergeant Reyes' wife also attended with their two children.  Go to full article

Wilmington, NY, Aug 23, 2012 — A high-ranking officer with the Army's 10th Mountain Division says the U.S. has made significant progress in its war in Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clark spoke about the war in Afghanistan during a ceremony at Whiteface Mountain last week. He says soldiers and their families have weathered difficult circumstances since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but those sacrifices have made a difference.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Aug 03, 2012 — Traffic jams are expected today as Fort Drum wraps up its biggest training exercise in a decade. Operation Mountain Peak is the first opportunity the whole division, top to bottom, has been able to train together in all that time.

Reporter Joanna Richards donned body armor and a helmet to observe the maneuvers and find out how soldiers prepare for war.  Go to full article

Aug 01, 2012 — The remains of a Fort Drum soldier killed in Afghanistan July 18 returned to the home of the 10th Mountain Division Sunday.

At 28 years old, Staff Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez had a wife and three children, and four combat tours under his belt after 10 years of service in the Army. Rodriguez grew up in New York City, but friends and family said he wanted to be buried in the North Country, in tribute to his time with the 10th Mountain Division. His funeral was held yesterday in Carthage, in Jefferson County.

As Joanna Richards reports, Rodriguez will be remembered for his humor, the love he had for his family, and the commitment he had to his military career.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Jul 04, 2012 — It's a national tradition for the White House to perform a naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens on Independence Day. Joanna Richards reports that this year, the ceremony includes a Fort Drum soldier.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 19, 2012 — Fort Drum recently notified several businesses that they will be put off limits to soldiers if they continue to sell synthetic marijuana, products marketed as "herbal incense" and sold under names like Spice and K2.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 07, 2012 — President Obama has proposed a new mortgage relief program for membres of the military and veterans. Major lenders will review forecolusres or denials of re-financing. if wrongly foreclosed on, service members will be paid back their equity, and get extra compensation.

Service members are vulnerable to scams, bad deals, and complicated financing. Many are young and inexperienced in managing their finances -- and frequent moves can make them easy prey when they're feeling financial strain.

The problem is serious enough that an entire federal office is now devoted to protecting military families from financial fraud and abuse.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand brought Holly Petreaus, wife of CIA Director General David Petraeus, and head of to the new Office of Servicemember Affairs to Fort Drum last week. The office is part of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
About 200 people turned out to hear about the office's work.

Joanna Richards was there and has the story.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 01, 2012 — A unit at Fort Drum charged with helping wounded soldiers transition to civilian life was given a scathing review in a report by the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office. According to the report, the Warrior Transition Battalion was seen as a "dumping ground" rather than a place to help soldiers heal. Medical recommendations were ignored, and morale was low, with some soldiers saying they'd rather be in jail or being "shot at in Iraq" than in the battalion. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article