FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) met with senior leaders, spoke with Soldiers and toured facilities Monday during a visit to Fort Drum.
Gillibrand said the message she will take back to Congress is about how effective 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers are in their mission and how vital Fort Drum is to the region. As the junior senator from New York, she said that part of her reason for visiting was to see what support she can provide.
"I serve on the Armed Services Committee, so I have a great opportunity to fight for them on issues," she said. "It's exciting to see some of the men and women who are on the ground, doing the tough work every day."
While touring a hangar and getting a closer look at one of the Chinook helicopters inside, Gillibrand spoke with a formation of Soldiers from D Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
"We have some of the best-trained members of the military right here at Fort Drum," she said. "My message to the troops is one of gratitude. They are incredible, and what they do is so amazing that I just want to thank them personally for how much they sacrifice and how much they do."
She lauded the Army for being in the forefront of total gender integration into military occupational specialties.
"We've been having a very forceful debate about making sure there are no positions where women are prohibited," Gillibrand said.
"Of course, we don't lower the standards," she continued. "If there are women who can compete and earn those positions, they should have the right to try. You want all your best and brightest, you want all of your most-qualified to be serving in the highest positions they are able."
If a draft was ever required again, Gillibrand said it should be gender-neutral; however, the senator said she believes the focus should remain on keeping an effective all-volunteer force.
Fort Drum's future was in question last year while discussions about reduction in troop strength had many people on edge for months. Gillibrand said the installation emerged relatively unscathed due to its mission readiness.
"That flexibility is something that Fort Drum offers, and so I think that's why we've done well in rounds of base realignments. We do our missions well, and these are vital missions for all the conflicts we fight."
Last November, Gillibrand announced with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) the passing of an appropriations bill that included funding for a new noncommissioned officer academy at Fort Drum. In a press release, she stated that Soldiers deserve the best training facilities available.
"I will continue fighting to ensure Fort Drum has the resources it needs to remain strong and continue to be a critical asset to our national defense," she said.
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