New to military life? We've got you.

A free support center on every Army base. They help with relocations, financial counseling, spouse employment, and have a "Lending Closet" where you can borrow pots, pans, high chairs, and other household items for free while you wait for your stuff to arrive.

A service member who works full-time in the military. This is their job — not part-time or reserve. If someone says "my husband is active duty," it means the military is their full-time employer.

A monthly payment the military gives service members to cover housing costs when they live off-base. The amount depends on their rank, location, and whether they have dependents (spouse/kids). At Fort Drum, BAH ranges from about $1,569/month (junior enlisted) to $2,784+/month (senior officers).

A large military unit (3,000-5,000 soldiers). Fort Drum has several BCTs within the 10th Mountain Division. Your spouse's BCT determines their day-to-day work and deployment schedule.

A document from the VA that proves you're eligible for a VA home loan. You need this before you can start the home-buying process. Takes about 10 minutes to get online at VA.gov.

A grocery store on the military base. Prices are tax-free and generally cheaper than off-base stores. You need a military ID to shop there.

How school districts are organized in New York State. Near Fort Drum, you'll hear about General Brown CSD, Indian River CSD, and Carthage CSD — these are the three main school systems your kids would attend.

The military's on-base childcare and youth program system. Includes daycare (infant through pre-K), before/after school care, summer camps, and youth sports. Waitlists can be 3-6 months — register at MilitaryChildCare.com the day you get orders.

When a service member is sent away from their home base for a military mission — usually overseas, typically for 6-12 months. The spouse and family stay behind. At Fort Drum, deployments are common and can happen shortly after arriving.

Your spouse and/or children. In military terms, "with dependents" (often written "w/dep") means the service member has a family. This affects BAH rates, healthcare eligibility, and housing options.

A one-time payment to help cover the costs of relocating — things like utility deposits, temporary lodging, and meals during your move. Ranges from about $1,018 to $6,385 depending on rank and whether you have dependents.

Military rank levels for enlisted soldiers (the majority of the force). E1 is the most junior (Private), E5 is mid-career (Sergeant), E9 is the highest enlisted rank (Sergeant Major). The number determines pay, BAH, and benefits. When you see "E5 w/dep" on this site, it means a Sergeant-level soldier with a family.

A support network for families within a military unit. Run by volunteers (usually spouses). They share deployment updates, organize events, and check on families. Your FRG is often the fastest way to meet other families and get help — especially during deployments. Ask your sponsor for the FRG leader's contact before you arrive.

The entrance to a military base. Fort Drum has multiple gates (Main Gate, East Gate, North Gate). When the site says "4 min to gate," it means the home is 4 minutes from the entrance to the base. You need a military ID to enter.

Your stuff — furniture, appliances, boxes, clothes. When the military moves you, they pack and ship your household goods. Delivery can take 2-8 weeks, which is why ACS has a Lending Closet (see above).

A legal document for children with special education needs. If your child has an IEP, the new school must honor it during the transition. Under the MIC3 Interstate Compact, the receiving school must provide comparable services immediately — they can't make your child wait or restart the process.

A major training exercise at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. Soldiers from Fort Drum frequently deploy to JRTC for 3-4 weeks of intensive training. If your spouse is "at JRTC," they're away at a training exercise — not deployed overseas, but still gone.

A free, confidential counselor available to military families. No records are kept, and it does NOT affect your spouse's career or security clearance. They help with stress, relationship issues, parenting, grief, and adjusting to a new location. Available on-base and at schools.

A legal agreement between all 50 states that protects military kids during school transitions. It gives your children the right to: pre-enroll before arriving, keep their course placement, transfer IEPs immediately, maintain sports eligibility despite transfer timing, and graduate on time. This is your biggest tool as a military parent changing schools.

The military's on-base recreation system. At Fort Drum, MWR runs the gym, pool, bowling alley, outdoor recreation (equipment rental), and community events. Most facilities are free or very cheap with a military ID.

Military rank levels for officers (typically college-educated, commissioned). O1 is a 2nd Lieutenant (entry-level officer), O3 is a Captain (company-level leader), O5+ is senior leadership (Lieutenant Colonel and above). Officers generally have higher BAH and pay than enlisted at the same years of service.

On-post means on the military base (inside the gates). Off-post means outside the base in the surrounding community. Most families at Fort Drum live off-post in towns like Evans Mills, Watertown, or Carthage. On-post housing exists but has long waitlists (3-9 months).

The official military document directing a service member to move to a new duty station. When someone says "we got orders to Fort Drum," it means the military is telling them to relocate there. Orders specify when you need to arrive (your "report date") and authorize moving expenses.

A military move. When the military reassigns a service member to a new base, the entire family relocates. This is called a PCS. It happens every 2-4 years for most families. The military covers moving costs, provides a housing allowance, and gives a dislocation allowance — but the logistics (finding a home, enrolling kids, learning a new area) fall largely on the family, especially the spouse.

A department store on the military base. Tax-free shopping for electronics, clothing, and household goods. Fort Drum's Exchange also has a food court, barbershop, and gas station. Military ID required.

A service member's level in the military hierarchy. Rank determines pay, BAH, responsibilities, and authority. Enlisted ranks go E1-E9, officer ranks go O1-O10. When this site asks for your "rank," it's to calculate your housing allowance and estimate what you can afford.

A federal law that protects military members. The most relevant part for PCSing: if you have PCS orders, you can legally break a lease without penalty by giving 30 days' written notice. Landlords must comply. This also provides protections on interest rates, foreclosure, and other financial obligations.

A person on every military base whose entire job is helping military families navigate schools. They assist with enrollment, IEP transfers, school district questions, and connect you directly with registrars. At Fort Drum, the SLO is Wendy O'Sullivan: (315) 772-3214. Call her first — before you call any school.

The military's health insurance system. If you're married to a service member, you and your kids are covered by TRICARE. There are different plans (Prime = HMO-style, Select = PPO-style). When transferring to Fort Drum, you'll need to re-enroll and find TRICARE-accepting providers in the area. The on-base clinic is Guthrie Army Health Clinic; the main off-base hospital is Samaritan Medical Center.

The VA provides home loans specifically for military members and veterans. The biggest benefits: $0 down payment required, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and competitive interest rates. This is how most military families buy homes. "VA-approved" means a home meets the VA's property standards for this type of loan.

A specialized rank between enlisted and officer. Warrant officers are technical experts (helicopter pilots, intelligence analysts, etc.). Their BAH falls between enlisted and officer rates.