North Country Leader

Fort Drum, a significant landmark in Jefferson County established in 1908, recently celebrated its dedicated community members in Albany on May 7. Three distinguished individuals from the Fort Drum community were recognized for their unwavering commitment to the fort's daily operations: Brigadier General Matt Braman, Command Sergeant Major Nema Mobar, and Colonel Matt Myer.

Brigadier General Matt Braman has been instrumental in keeping the military side of Fort Drum operational over the past year while Major General Greg Anderson was stationed in Europe. He is a recipient of both the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit for his years of service to the nation. Commissioned as an aviation officer in 1995, Brigadier General Braman hails from a lineage of aviators. His dedication and hard work have seen him rise through the ranks to preside over Fort Drum.

Command Sergeant Major Nema Mobar is a non-commissioned officer who has made significant strides during his tenure at Fort Drum. He revolutionized how military leaders support soldiers in crisis by granting them access to round-the-clock support systems that would otherwise be unavailable. This initiative, now known as the Mountain CARES program, has been so successful that Command Sergeant Major Mobar was asked to brief the Sergeant Major of the Army on its implementation across all services.

Colonel Matt Myer serves as the Garrison Commander of Fort Drum and is responsible for its everyday operations. Working alongside military and civilian employees, Colonel Myer's leadership ensures smooth operation at Fort Drum. His ability to build strong teams and his humility have earned him this pivotal role.

The final introduction on this Fort Drum Day was Senior Command Chaplain & US Army Colonel James Key. A decorated member of the US Army with a Bronze Star medal, a meritorious medal, and an army commendation medal under his belt, Colonel Key is also an educated man with degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Howard University School of Divinity. He is a proud New Yorker, raising his two daughters in the state and authoring two books.

Fort Drum is the largest single-site employer in New York state, supporting over 75,000 people in the North Country economically. In 2023, it had 13,722 soldiers assigned to the fort and employed 3,877 civilians. The local jobs created by Fort Drum span various sectors including construction, health, social services, education, and agriculture. The total economic impact of Fort Drum is estimated at $2,542,810,047.

The success of Fort Drum can be attributed to these men who were honored on this day. While their military achievements are commendable, their contributions to the New York state economy and the sustenance of hundreds of families through continued employment cannot be overlooked.