This is amazing. We lived on Fort Ord when my husband was going through DLI a couple years ago. The vast majority of the old buildings are now gone, and housing has come up. The housing we lived in was right by the chapel and very close to where the barracks were. We have some pictures of what they look like now. It's really sad to see where the base went from to where it is today. When the fog rolls in the afternoon, it's very easy to imagine a WWII or Vietnam era soldier walking out of it, not much more corporeal than the fog itself.
Lots of memories there. At age 2, we lived in family housing. At age 5, the post doctors took out my tonsils. At 10, I spent a week in a post surgical ward awaiting an appendectomy, being cheered up by wounded heroes. Shopped at the commissary and PX later, after my father retired. Got haircuts across from the movie theater. Saw "Patton" as a first run in the theater and saw the entire house rise to attention at the opening scene. At 15, learned to return a gate soldier's salute to my father's car, even if I was not a soldier.
Great video!! It's always such a damn shame when our military bases close, especially one the size of Fort Ord. Man if those walls could talk, all the soldiers that went through there, the history, the hustle & bustle of a once thriving base, the ghosts' of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, pretty much the last outpost before deployment overseas, Stillwell Hall. With Fort Ord also being the most scenic of bases, I often wonder why it was chosen, among others for closure. So sad!
Thanks for the memories. I was Nasty Bravo 4/17 from 92 to 93. Best duty station even for a short period in time. Edit: I took part in the 75th anniversary of Ft. Ord at Stillwell hall. Best fireworks I ever seen.
Hey thanks a lot for taking this, taking the time to do it and for posting it! I was there a few weeks ago (Oct 2022) and could barely recognize anything after not being there 30 years. This is the only video I’ve come across that looks like what I remember and not barracks all dilapidated and full of garbage and graffiti. Appreciate it. I was there 89-92 and was apparently one of the last and never knew that until recently.
I was an 11C in C 4/21 Inf. 92-93. Carried the prc77 on the road marches, a nice 100lb ruck. Miss going to Seaside, Monterey, the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Driving to Big Sur on the PCH. Very sad how it ended up.
Thanks for documenting this. My time there was 1988-1991 and I had no idea the base was slated for closure at the time. It had already been decided and I was completely unaware. A large part of the base nature areas are preserved and will stay that way which is great since there’s so much wilderness and natural beauty.
@@sooowhatism I think I was in Charlie? We had a tall, black drill sergeant, that could walk 8 miles an hour!! I ran into him at one of the companies in Ft Leonard Wood a few years (1975) later. I can still see him smiling coming back from the ranges, looking over his shoulder screaming “DOUBLE TIME”! Good man.
@@rdwelch2 Hey Robert, I wrote you a long reply but realized you were at H-2-1 a year before me. I was still in Vietnam. But...was your Drill Instructors name Sergeant Brown?
Sad for those of us who trained there. I arrived from Fort Leonard Wood, MO in November 1969 after basic training to complete infantry AIT. I stayed a few extra weeks herding new inductees around before heading to Fort Belvoir, VA for Engineer OCS. I remember that I was so happy to get to the warmer climate of the coast after freezing my tail off at Leonard Wood.
I'm a little late into the conversation. At the start of your video, you showed your barracks (A-3-1) you showed the one next door. That was mine (H-3-1) I was in third platoon on the second floor. I looked out to see your barracks. The street on the far side was Gigling Rd., and the one behind the barracks was 7th Ave. Thank you for the share. Great memories.
clint eastwood was stationed here in early 50s, i think what has happened to fort ord is a crime, it is a special place i think to many, im sad so sad to see this but i was glad i flew out to see it again.
The community of Marina, Seaside and Monterey did nothing to prevent this land to go to waste and disrepair, I have no knowledge of an update of the base, would someone please fill me in
I agree, the nearby community just let the fort go to waste, with no initiative of what to do with the land once the military left, and the pictures couldn't be more elocuent.
The community nearby just didn't care, when the army left, it was left open and unprotected and many years in the future the place succumbed to its wounds. Sad!
Thanks for the Post Alan, I haven't seen Ft Ord since 1980, was there in Jan 72 D-2-1 for Basic and Jan 77 thru Jun 1980, I noticed another post someone was at D-2-1 in 1971 so I was a class or two later.. I was the Assignment NCO at Ft Ord for 3 years and made all assignments of incoming personnel up to 1sg and SGM's the Post SGM made those but I got heavily involved in Diverting people that were in the area on leave trying to get to Ft Ord.... this was my first assignment to RA uniut after ASA assignments from 72-Dec 76....Too bad they shut it down what a beautiful place, I went from there, Ft Carson, then on a NATO assignment to Norway Kolsas because of my security clearance...then back to Carson where I retired, thanks again good video you sure did make the rounds, Mike
I was here.....I remember the transition to Ft. Lewis. This video saddens me, as everything ages. So many memories. Thank you for the video Alan Hemenway. 7th Infantry division Bravo Co. 3/9 Manchu
Cool video.... We were there from July 1990 to June 1993... Can't remember my husband's company but we lived in Hayes park at 103 Velasci St...we could see seaside highschool from our house... Use to cut through go to the school play ground with our daughter on weekends... Then we moved to 428 wittenmeyer court in Preston Park...my husband got out in 1994... really miss fort ord...my daughter and I took a road trip in 2014 of course Hayes park is gone...wish there were more videos of the old housing! Thanks for sharing
Great video, Alan! In 1984, the barracks at the end of Gigling Rd, at 8th Ave, was the 14th Engineers (FORSCOM, not the 13th, which was 7th ID). I was there in 83 and 84. Your video brought back some memories! In 1984, the 14th moved farther down Gigling Rd, past the hospital, to where the rest of the FORSCOM units were. Thanks for posting!
1971 spent Basic (D-2-1) and part of AIT before the USASA got me and sent me to 'Nam in '72. Great memories of Monterrey, Pacific Grove and Carmel on motorcycles you could rent in Monterrey. Good times before "Nam.
My wife loved this. She and her family got to spend time with her cousin there just days before he shipped out to Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Gary C.Johnston. D Co,1stBN. 7th Cavalry,1st Cal DIV. Later his nephew and name sake. Sgt. Gary S. Johnston was KIA. Jan 23,2007,Iraq. 3rd Deacon BN Comm. Marine. The first Gary drew fire on himself so buddies got away he was KIA , Apirl 16,1970
Thank you for the tour. I spent Jan/Aug 1970 assigned to AIT Committee Group. Our guys ran the ranges and infantry training. I remember the bus station and the bus rides to San Francisco on the weekends. Fort Ord had a huge indoor swimming pool which was great.
Thanks again for sharing this footage Alan! My dad was stationed at Fort Ord from 1960-1961 as a military policeman. He said this post was a great place to be stationed at and the area was beautiful. When he was stationed there the permanent party all lived in the WW2 barracks while the trainees lived in the new brick barracks.
Russ Hall 1959-1960 298th MP Company. Learned a lot working the three gates and ‘town patrol’. Ended up going to Europe for 20 months. Wasn’t the BEST job I ever had. But, share changed the way you look at life.
My Dad was a Drill Instructor here from 1964 through 1967. He then volunteered to go to Viet Nam himself and spent 3 back-to-back tours there. We lived on Malmedy, (I probably spelled that wrong). This was a wonderful time in my childhood!
This was my barracks too B-2-1 Aug-late Oct 1969.next to the P.T. area and parade field.I've seen this on google street view and now this incredible video of my basic training home.Thank you for posting Alan,this will go into my army experience files.Thanks again!
I was there February 1969 Basic and AIT B-3-2,I’m a California native and thought I’d take my mountain bike down and ride the back trails. So sad what’s happened to this special place.
How this brings back some memories stationed there 1952...our first child a baby girl born at Ft Ord in 1953. My wife was 16 and I was 19. So sad to see what has happened to it. Shipped out to Korea late 1953. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing Alan, Great memories. Inducted through Oakland, CA. Basic at Fort Ord, CA. AIT Fort Sheridan, Ill. Stationed at the Presidio SF, detached to Naval Supply Center Alameda. Worked in NAS Alameda, Oakland & San Leandro area. Only at reception for 2 days never went to mess or did anything. Quite time.
I was in 79th FSB and we were 9th Regt. support. Every 2 weeks it seemed we were on alert with some part of one of the 3 Battalions. Good times though!
This was my barracks in the summer of 1971. I actually started basic in April, but after the 1st week, I came onto infectious hepatitis which I had contracted on the last evening before I was inducted, so I spent 2 1/2 months in the Ft. Ord hospital, 2 weeks as a holdover in this barracks waiting for another training cycle to start. They put me on KP for most of that 2 weeks. So, I was in the Army 3 months before I started basic training, which took some of the mystery out of what a young trainee would be subject to. This barracks was in the S.W. corner of the neighborhood of barracks, and adjacent to the water tank on the small hill. In April, my 1st week of basic training, I had to do KP on Sunday, if I remember correctly, and the next morning I was found delirious in my bunk and taken to the Hospital. After my diagnosis of infectious hepatitis, they gave the entire training company a hep shot. I'll bet they didn't like that. As a holdover, waiting for another cycle, the 3 story barracks was empty, except for the offices on the 1st floor, and one of the open bays, where other hold overs slept. When I ventured up to the 2nd and 3rd stories, and walked around, it was spooky. I don't believe in ghosts, but i didn't know if somebody was up there, and it preyed on my mind. Any noise, and I'd turn around to see what it was.
It's unlikely that any of the trainees of that Spring cycle will ever read this comment, but, it might be interesting for any of those trainees to learn about their Captain and 1st Sgt. During the 2 weeks that I was a hold over in these barracks, there were roughly about 8 guys held over. In the office was the 1st Sgt and his corporal. I believe the army still had some corporals back then, but they were being phased out. And the captain had his own office. It didn't happen to me, but when guys came back from leave to report to the 1st Sgt., the sarge would shake them down for money, I think telling them they were late and in trouble if they didn't fork over the money. One of the hold overs had a full leg cast on, and got in a beef with the 1st Sgt., and the sarge roughed him up. So, this guy had a chip on his shoulder and he also had a cheapo tape player/recorder, which he set up in a locker and somehow got the corporal in a conversation about the shake downs by the 1st Sgt. I was present during that conversation, and it was quite entertaining and dramatic, knowing the tape player was recording it. The corporal was in on the shake downs and laughed as he explained there was nothing we could do about it. He spilled the beans good. After that, the guy sent the tape to the commanding officer of Ft. Ord. On the 1st day of the next training cycle, the entire company was standing in formation outside of the barracks. A staff car showed up and Army brass, at least one general, entered the bldg. Not 5 minutes later, the 1st Sgt was escorted out of the building without his Smokey the Bear hat, with the corporal, and a little later, the Captain was escorted out, too. I doubt if the Captain knew about his 1st Sgt and his corporal being crooked, but he was held responsible. A blow to his career. I understand why the Army held him responsible, but he was blind sided, probably, by the whole affair. Kind of a shame that the guy with the leg cast, who made the audio tape probably never learned if his efforts had any effect.
My younger brothers went thru, before I did. I would drive up on weekends and take my brothers to places we grew up near (We are AF Brats). I was in A-4-3, Sep-Nov 72 (Up near the New Hospital); AIT 71B in the old wooden barracks (Self-Paced so I finished in 2 weeks and learned Army office routine) Dec-Mar 73, then off to Germany. I joined when the Army offered that "BIG" pay raise to $288/mo, plus "guarantees" (I requested 1) BCT/AIT at Ft Ord; 2) 71B Clerk MOS; 3) Assignment to Germany. They offered up to 5. It came in handy at Ft Dix (they wanted to keep me, I pulled out the card and was on the next plane to Europe).
Thanks for the tour. I was stationed there 71-72 as a cook in the reception station. Anyone who worked there during that time feel free to get in touch.
Thanks for the memories. My barracks was at 7:51 next to the BCT East Garrison Parade Field. Don't recall the unit number ... blotted from memory. So much is gone now.
Thanks again Alan! This reminds of Bldg 4596! Of course all of Infantry Hill had the same architecture and construction. But I do appreciate your video as its a living history project.
It's always nice to run across videos of Ft Ord. I arrived there in Jan '64 for basic training and BAAC afterwards then off to Ft Carson, Colorado. I always try to pick up a clue to see if I can remember area where my barracks was located but no luck so far. My company was Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 1st Batt, 3rd Brig. Thanks for video.. I see it's been up for some time.
Ft Ord was my first duty assignment after Basic & AIT. Arrived in early May, 1975 with my new wife, and was assigned to B Co, 13th Engr Bn. We were on the far end of the one way street leading to Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital, where our daughter was born in '76. Left for Germany in June of 77. 2 years 2 months 2 long...
I was there on June 1966 for basic training on A-3-1 second floor. At that time my name was Kwong You Louie, but now my name is Mickey Kwok. My memories and thank you for the video!!!
Basic in C-2-1, September 66 to December 66. Cold ass barracks, butt can water froze on top. Loved the CS gas course, and running to the rifle ranges at port arms and full packs and steel pots.
Alan Hemenway; B 3 3 For this draft dodger. Airborne Basic with my beloved Drill SSG. Lewis. Whose favorite cadence was... ''Airborne, Airborne, where ya' been? Down at seaside drinkin' Gin... Sound off 1. 2...'' Never had to attend AIT, because from Ft. Ord... we went on a 15 day delay in route to Ft. Benning Jump School. Then after Jump school, we were assigned to an infanrty battalion @ the 82nd Abn., where every day for the next 2 & 3/4 years, was an ongoing AIT. anyways. LOL -former recondo sgt. ''rock'' gilpin 82nd abn 11b4p 1/504 inf. '71-'74 Thanks for the views my Brother, did my heart, an old world of welcomed good! God bless you & you're's every endeavor... until that time when we are all better blessed by all those thing yet seen, heard, & felt, that dwells within those long ago set into rhyme, many promised mansions mentioned, by our very Lord & Savior Himself! 7-21-18
I was stationed here in 1974,Basic training,B-4-3,Queen of Battle Infantry,Those were the day's,Had a guy relive being in Nam my first night,They had to sedate and remove him,He wanted to re-enlist thought he could do it,In the end it ate him.Marched in calf deep sand everywhere,Daybell and Easterling were my D.I's,Best Drill Instructors I ever met,Those latrines bring back memories,They actually gave us tooth brushes to scrub the small spots on the urinals,Those were the days the could still use corrective measures to handle idiots,A guy went down those stairs once while I was there for degrading a D.I while in formation,Its quite the story,Did the diving bell down at the presidio still exist when you was there? Anyways loved the memory lane trip,So many things flooded back seeing this,Thank You.
Was at DLI 74-75, went to Fort Ord now and then. Returned to DLI in 95, shortly after Ft Ord's closure. Since nearly all the colonels had left with Ft Ord, we got one of the big colonel's houses on the Presidio. Good times.
My Dad was at FT. ORD before going to ATTU. He was KIA after being there just a few days. I have may Photos taken there when the Movie Stars would visit the Soldiers. Sorry to see it was left in such a shambles. The fact is not many Americans even know anything about what happened on ATTU. SHAMEFUL on the part of our War History. R.I.P.to all the men who gave their lives on that miserable place.
I was at Fort Ord 1977-79 Co C 2nd of 17th infantry buffaloes. We trained in air cavalry and armor cavalry. those were my barracks back then. I recognize that tree too. the double doors and armory in the basement. We had two-man rooms in 1977
I was up on the "hill" in B-1-1 for Basic and AIT. March-August of 1969. Got my SP4 stripes at Fort Ord pretty quick, but never made E-5. I really remember the Greyhound bus station, pay telephone bldg, theater and bowling alley. It was a great time for me, and made me grow up, quick. Love you Ford Ord, rest in peace!
I was stationed at Fort Ord twice. Once in 1984 to 1985 and again 1987 to 1988. I left before the deployment to Panama. The base was so far behind the times. Old building backwards thinking in terms of the type of units that should be base there. There was no true training areas on the base. Training was done at Fort Hunter-Leggit and Camp Roberts. Both bases were at least 50 to 100 miles from Fort Ord off of highway 101 south. Fort Ord was/is prime real estate. It has ocean views.
Sir, so did you take this in 1989? I didn't realize the started the BRAC process 4yrs before they actually shut it down. I was still there in 1989 but I'm guessing it was in Dec-Jan timeframe since I don't see very many soldiers walking around. We were all probably down in Panama.:) Thank you for sharing.
A very good video of how those barracks looked before too much vandalism and neglect .I was there from Oct 76 to June 78, with the 7th Infantry Division . Not a high speed base at that time . I fired more ammo at 4 weeks of summer camp near Reading as a kid than I did at Ft.Ord in almost 2 years . But there were a lot of good times , and the Army at that time had no drug testing , so we all got stoned a lot . We were good troops , just loaded most of the time .
I was there in 1969 at A-3-1. Visited in 2005 and was really disappointed with the state of the Fort. Though I was in basic training, I still felt sad to see the place in such a mess. Even worse now.
What memories I have of that place! I was drafted April 1, 1969, did basic and AIT there before going to Vietnam. I was with Americal Division 198th light infantry brigade in Chu Lai. I thought Fort Ord was hard at 19 years old but didn’t compare to Nam!
I took my basic training at Ord. Aug 69-Oct 69. Went back for a tour 81-83 Then to flight school. Lived on Carpenter Ct Near Fritze Army Airfield. Memories.....Thanks
I was in A-3-1 in the same building Aug. 1970 to Oct. 1970. That large tree was a sapling then. Did countless push-ups on the street in front of that building. Sgt. Greer was my Drill Sargent.
I was at Fort Ord from May to November, 1969. A-4-3 for Basic, and Personnel Specialist AIT. They sent me to Flak Kaserne in Ludwigsburg, Germany where I stayed for 7 months. Then I volunteered for Vietnam, and after a home leave, spent the rest of my time there.
i WAS THERE AT EIGHTEEN in 1964 one month after high school during the Vietnam era and we couldnt leave because of the MENINGITIS (SPELL) SCARE so we had to stay on base and hang our mattress out the windows at night and sleep on the springs,, I was ping pong champion and I did enjoy that but this video is a godsend to me for the actual visual sure brings back memories that if for lack of a better word, is not a memory but part of my being..
Thank you - thank you - thank for posting this video. I was a Drill Sgt in A-1-3 71-75. I wasn't selected to be the "model" for the DS statue but have desired to "see" it again. Is it still there?
Yes the Drill Sargeant statue is still there. I was stationed at Ft. Ord as a 55 B (ammo/explosives). Looking at the comments, thinking how werid it must be for non military folks to wonder what we're saying. A .I .T . (advanced individual training) of course 'we' know that but do non military?🤔 I was a Drill Sargeant for seven years then became a 55 B. cause I liked the challenge. Out of all of the folks we started with only 3 of us passed. Not bragging,just wanted to learn. Plus I was the only female 55 B at that time. You make mistakes in that job it could be your last mistake. No joke.
I did basic and AIT there October 1966 through March 1967, then on to VN. I am a photographer now, and have been photographing Ft. Ord over the last 15 years or so, and it is very sad to see the dilapidated and vandalized buildings now.
Lightfighter medic with evacuation(aka ambulance) Plt, B Co, 7th Med Bn...1988-1990. Great memories of FOCA, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Carmel, 17-mile drive
When I read 'Lightfighter' it makes me think of Star Wars. I was one also, 7th S&T B Company & our motto was 'Slient& Deadly'. I was a 55 B, amo/explosives SPC. Was at Ft. Ord in the mid 1980's till Dessert Storm in 1989 is when I left Ft. Ord went there. Cried to hear of Stilwell Hall having been torn down or so I've been told.
Hi, Don! Small world!! I was 32nd Sig. from July 66' to Jan. 68. McNair Kaserne, Frankfurt. I was a member of TAC Team (Tactical Advanced Communications). Then I went to Nam for 15 months. John W. Tobin.
Juan P. Arvizo Took basic and advanced training same unit October 1959 in the new buildings. SFC Cathey was my drill Sergeant. Then went to South Korea by USNS Barrett finally arriving at Blue Lancer Valley South Korea.
Favorite memories: The filming of Soldier in the Rain with Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason. McQueen screaming the tires on the asphalt between the barracks merely because he could get away with it. Guard duty escort for an AWOL from the stockade all over the post for the day. As soon as we left the stockade with me a few paces behind he states he is going to run when we get over the hill with me replying as soon as you run I will shoot you. He states if you do you will get a court martial and I replied good your legs will be healed by then and you can be a witness for me that I did shoot you. We had a nice day although touchy at chow time.
Good for you! I'll bet the clown didn't run after all. A captain who was with a general was getting bent with me because I wouldn't let them into my ammo dump. Captain states that he's with A GENERAL & that I HAD to let them in. I stated that I didn't care if he was with God, that without the proper stuff/& info they weren't getting in. The captain about really lost it then & I had a loaded M16. The general stepped up & stated and showed me the right 'stuff' & praised me (I'm not bragging, was just protecting my post) for not 'giving in' to his captain's B.S. which is really what it was. Another 'ass--'H' tried to sneak up my ammo tower. He ignored all the warnings & he didn't know I could see his hand reach up & I slammed down on his hand with the butt of my weapon & the officer yelled out in pain as he fell down & then he was arrested. The officer had me having to go to court but long story short the judge told the officer that he was lucky I haddn't shot and killed him, that I had every right too. The officer was the one who got into troulble. KARMA.
B51 April 1970, could look of my barracks window and see my parents house. Guess you've figured out I'm a Army brat. Lived at 405 Kalborn Rd. Knew these woods like the back of my hand.
This was my basic training company, A-3-1. I started training on May 28, 1969. This guys room was my very own squad room that I shared with one other guy. I was in the day room when the Eagle landing on the moon. The next day I went out on bivouac. My older brother took training in this same building in 1958.
I was in this very same building - A-3-1 - in June 1959. In fact, I was in the platoon bay. I remember double-timing from there all the down to the last rifle range, and having PT in the morning out front. I came down with a cold and would not go on sick call, because back then if you went on sick you had to turn everything you had in to supply, but one Saturday I had guard duty, which we pulled wearing our Class A uniforms. We were information, and I remember looking out of the corner of my eye at the inspecting officer. The last thing I remember was watching moving all around and I could not understand why he was doing that. I came too with him slapping me in the face. I was so sick I passed out. Spent a few days in the hospital and when I got the ISG sent me to field. When back on sick call the next day and when I told the doctor what happened he called the company. By the time I got back the CO had been relieved and the ISG was pissed. I spent the next few weekends on my knees waxing the Day Room floor with a can of car wax and a rag. I never went back on sick call again. God I miss Fort Ord.
Hey Alan, You went through Basic in 1962? I got to Fort Ord in February 0f 1972. Now, 10 years after you and I was stuck in the Old WW II barrack's. FREEZING COLD and there was huge problem with Spinal-Meningitis and the windows HAD TO BE OPEN 8 inches 24/7 and cold not raise the temperature above 62 degrees. What a great time in my life!!!
Alan, It was bad and bad and got worse. I was sick everyday for the 9 weeks at Fort Ord. For all I know I could have contracted it? Muscle aches, Sinus problems, no rest or any sleep to heal... There was nothing but double time and yelling. As I know you already know. Basic training is no where near today as it was back in our time. I was 17 years old living in streets of Los Angeles, no parents, home, education...nothing. I was blessed to be able to JOIN the U.S. ARMY. Re-enlisted for another 3 years. I would have done 20 years but the Field Arty was a rough way to make a living. Racial situations in the 1970's was HORRIBLE. REALLY BAD!!! Whites and Blacks were not doing well together. REALLY BAD. Sad because I was enjoying the ARMY but Overseas for 5 years out of 6 Years!!!!
When black GIs married non-blacks overseas, they were typically sent to Ft. Ord and other places in California as being a friendlier state when returning to the states. Can you imagine how it would be down Southeast.
@@AlanHemenway When I was a Drill Sargeant (only one of a few jobs I had in the Army over the years) we didn't have 'blacks', 'whites', greens, purple... I DIDN'T have 'colors' in my out fits I had PEOPLE, plain people. Once that was 'excepted' and that all I saw was the color of their uniforms 'WE' got along just fine. Sometimes you have hard heads in every 'race' but for the most part folks could see what I ment. Mess with one of 'us' acting as a true team, standing shoulder to shoulder together it was worth fighting for. No one got special treatment. After getting it together, 'they'd graduate and like in the movie; 'To Sir with Love, & I'd have to start all over again.
Was that the former P.T. field at 5;21 of the video ? If i'm not mistaken , this is the same barracks I was in back in September of 1969 . Ours was at the very corner of all of the concrete barracks on Gigling road next to the road that led to the bivouac area . Our company was B-2-1 under the command of Capt . Christenson . I hope someone from my company sees this .
Thanks for the Vid! I also was in A-3-1, 3rd Plt in the open bay in June 1964 for Basic Training. My home town??? Monterey! In fact I am an Army Brat and we lived on base, I went to school on base and took basic on base. My Dad retired there in 1963, served with CDEC.
Howard Golding My dad was an MP here 1960-1961 and said he hated patrolling the housing area as the patrol car idled faster than the 5mph speed limit. He said when he worked the gates he used to flirt with the trainees girlfriends coming to visit their boyfriends.
+Howard Golding then you were there when steve mcqueen and jackie gleason made soldier in the rain at fort ord 1963. i was there from 86 to 89 i just went back october 2015, barracks are still there with windows broken out and wind blowing the curtains, swimming pool hasnt been demolished yet,
I was in A-3-1 Headhunters, rah! I was there from May to July in 1967, then moved over to the old barracks close to the bowling alley for AIT. I remember we were on meningitis control and could not leave our floor except for chow or to go to the PX once a week, on Sunday afternoon we could call home from one of the 2 pay phones. I remember too being on the top floor and being able to see the sun sit in the Pacific ocean each evening. That was a beautiful sight.
Is that on Gigling Road?If I recall, we had a P.T. area across the road from the mess hall.Our barracks was on the corner facing the road to the bivouac area about 5 miles through large tracts of I believe tomato farms .Low crawls and ladder bars before entering the messhall.Who can forget the marches to the range by the ocean,going through the underpass of a highway along the way.Our company commander was Capt Christensen and our platoon sgt. was Sgt. Bennett.B-2-1 Kill,Kill,Kill.Aug.69-nov69
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
This is amazing. We lived on Fort Ord when my husband was going through DLI a couple years ago. The vast majority of the old buildings are now gone, and housing has come up. The housing we lived in was right by the chapel and very close to where the barracks were. We have some pictures of what they look like now. It's really sad to see where the base went from to where it is today. When the fog rolls in the afternoon, it's very easy to imagine a WWII or Vietnam era soldier walking out of it, not much more corporeal than the fog itself.
Lots of memories there. At age 2, we lived in family housing. At age 5, the post doctors took out my tonsils. At 10, I spent a week in a post surgical ward awaiting an appendectomy, being cheered up by wounded heroes. Shopped at the commissary and PX later, after my father retired. Got haircuts across from the movie theater. Saw "Patton" as a first run in the theater and saw the entire house rise to attention at the opening scene. At 15, learned to return a gate soldier's salute to my father's car, even if I was not a soldier.
I'm glad you survived the ordeal, removing the tonsils is dangerous.
Great video!! It's always such a damn shame when our military bases close, especially one the size of Fort Ord. Man if those walls could talk, all the soldiers that went through there, the history, the hustle & bustle of a once thriving base, the ghosts' of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, pretty much the last outpost before deployment overseas, Stillwell Hall. With Fort Ord also being the most scenic of bases, I often wonder why it was chosen, among others for closure. So sad!
Thanks for the memories. I was Nasty Bravo 4/17 from 92 to 93. Best duty station even for a short period in time. Edit: I took part in the 75th anniversary of Ft. Ord at Stillwell hall. Best fireworks I ever seen.
BUFFALO!
I was there in Jan and Feb 1972 for basic training, lived in the old wood barracks. Drove around the place in Jan 2016. lots of memories.
Thank you for the tour. I go and visit Ord sometimes and now I know what I am looking at while there.
Hey thanks a lot for taking this, taking the time to do it and for posting it! I was there a few weeks ago (Oct 2022) and could barely recognize anything after not being there 30 years. This is the only video I’ve come across that looks like what I remember and not barracks all dilapidated and full of garbage and graffiti. Appreciate it.
I was there 89-92 and was apparently one of the last and never knew that until recently.
I was an 11C in C 4/21 Inf. 92-93. Carried the prc77 on the road marches, a nice 100lb ruck. Miss going to Seaside, Monterey, the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Driving to Big Sur on the PCH. Very sad how it ended up.
Thanks for documenting this. My time there was 1988-1991 and I had no idea the base was slated for closure at the time. It had already been decided and I was completely unaware. A large part of the base nature areas are preserved and will stay that way which is great since there’s so much wilderness and natural beauty.
This was my home for 12years,I sure miss it
I was a Drill Sergeant in H-2-1 from June 70 until I was discharged in September 71. I loved every minute of it. It's sad to see Fort Ord disappear.
I was there then....Aug-Oct 69. Retired 28 Feb 2000. Happy Veterans day
@@rdwelch2 Hi Robert. Happy Veterans day back to you! Were you in my platoon?
@@sooowhatism I think I was in Charlie? We had a tall, black drill sergeant, that could walk 8 miles an hour!! I ran into him at one of the companies in Ft Leonard Wood a few years (1975) later. I can still see him smiling coming back from the ranges, looking over his shoulder screaming “DOUBLE TIME”! Good man.
@@rdwelch2 Hey Robert, I wrote you a long reply but realized you were at H-2-1 a year before me. I was still in Vietnam. But...was your Drill Instructors name Sergeant Brown?
You said, "You thought you were in Charlie." Did you mean you thought you were in Charlie Company?
Thank you for posting this video and the memories. We lived off of Carentan Rd, and my sister was born in Silas B Hayes.
Sad for those of us who trained there. I arrived from Fort Leonard Wood, MO in November 1969 after basic training to complete infantry AIT. I stayed a few extra weeks herding new inductees around before heading to Fort Belvoir, VA for Engineer OCS. I remember that I was so happy to get to the warmer climate of the coast after freezing my tail off at Leonard Wood.
I'm a little late into the conversation. At the start of your video, you showed your barracks (A-3-1) you showed the one next door. That was mine (H-3-1) I was in third platoon on the second floor. I looked out to see your barracks. The street on the far side was Gigling Rd., and the one behind the barracks was 7th Ave. Thank you for the share. Great memories.
clint eastwood was stationed here in early 50s, i think what has happened to fort ord is a crime, it is a special place i think to many, im sad so sad to see this but i was glad i flew out to see it again.
The community of Marina, Seaside and Monterey did nothing to prevent this land to go to waste and disrepair, I have no knowledge of an update of the base, would someone please fill me in
I agree, the nearby community just let the fort go to waste, with no initiative of what to do with the land once the military left, and the pictures couldn't be more elocuent.
The community nearby just didn't care, when the army left, it was left open and unprotected and many years in the future the place succumbed to its wounds. Sad!
Thanks for the Post Alan, I haven't seen Ft Ord since 1980, was there in Jan 72 D-2-1 for Basic and Jan 77 thru Jun 1980, I noticed another post someone was at D-2-1 in 1971 so I was a class or two later.. I was the Assignment NCO at Ft Ord for 3 years and made all assignments of incoming personnel up to 1sg and SGM's the Post SGM made those but I got heavily involved in Diverting people that were in the area on leave trying to get to Ft Ord.... this was my first assignment to RA uniut after ASA assignments from 72-Dec 76....Too bad they shut it down what a beautiful place, I went from there, Ft Carson, then on a NATO assignment to Norway Kolsas because of my security clearance...then back to Carson where I retired, thanks again good video you sure did make the rounds, Mike
I was here.....I remember the transition to Ft. Lewis. This video saddens me, as everything ages. So many memories. Thank you for the video Alan Hemenway. 7th Infantry division Bravo Co. 3/9 Manchu
I don't do infantry weather so I went to Ft Hood 🤣🇺🇲
C co. 4/21 Gimlet Lightfighter
Cool video.... We were there from July 1990 to June 1993... Can't remember my husband's company but we lived in Hayes park at 103 Velasci St...we could see seaside highschool from our house... Use to cut through go to the school play ground with our daughter on weekends...
Then we moved to 428 wittenmeyer court in Preston Park...my husband got out in 1994... really miss fort ord...my daughter and I took a road trip in 2014 of course Hayes park is gone...wish there were more videos of the old housing! Thanks for sharing
Great video, Alan! In 1984, the barracks at the end of Gigling Rd, at 8th Ave, was the 14th Engineers (FORSCOM, not the 13th, which was 7th ID). I was there in 83 and 84. Your video brought back some memories! In 1984, the 14th moved farther down Gigling Rd, past the hospital, to where the rest of the FORSCOM units were. Thanks for posting!
1971 spent Basic (D-2-1) and part of AIT before the USASA got me and sent me to 'Nam in '72. Great memories of Monterrey, Pacific Grove and Carmel on motorcycles you could rent in Monterrey. Good times before "Nam.
abel ramirez 1974 for me. Went to DLI for language training. ASA was the best!
My wife loved this. She and her family got to spend time with her cousin there just days before he shipped out to Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Gary C.Johnston.
D Co,1stBN. 7th Cavalry,1st Cal DIV. Later his nephew and name sake. Sgt. Gary S. Johnston was KIA. Jan 23,2007,Iraq. 3rd Deacon BN Comm. Marine. The first Gary drew fire on himself so buddies got away he was KIA , Apirl 16,1970
Thank you for the tour. I spent Jan/Aug 1970 assigned to AIT Committee Group. Our guys ran the ranges and infantry training. I remember the bus station and the bus rides to San Francisco on the weekends. Fort Ord had a huge indoor swimming pool which was great.
Thanks again for sharing this footage Alan! My dad was stationed at Fort Ord from 1960-1961 as a military policeman. He said this post was a great place to be stationed at and the area was beautiful. When he was stationed there the permanent party all lived in the WW2 barracks while the trainees lived in the new brick barracks.
Russ Hall 1959-1960 298th MP Company. Learned a lot working the three gates and ‘town patrol’. Ended up going to Europe for 20 months. Wasn’t the BEST job I ever had. But, share changed the way you look at life.
My Dad was a Drill Instructor here from 1964 through 1967. He then volunteered to go to Viet Nam himself and spent 3 back-to-back tours there. We lived on Malmedy, (I probably spelled that wrong). This was a wonderful time in my childhood!
Thank you very much for this reel. I too, was at the barracks leading to the bivouacs. Mine was at bottom end of that hill. Cool memories. 🙏
Did My whole 3 year enlistment at Fort Ord From April 1974 through April 1977. Fun times.
This was my barracks too B-2-1 Aug-late Oct 1969.next to the P.T. area and parade field.I've seen this on google street view and now this incredible video of my basic training home.Thank you for posting Alan,this will go into my army experience files.Thanks again!
I was there February 1969 Basic and AIT B-3-2,I’m a California native and thought I’d take my mountain bike down and ride the back trails. So sad what’s happened to this special place.
How this brings back some memories stationed there 1952...our first child a baby girl born at Ft Ord in 1953. My wife was 16 and I was 19. So sad to see what has happened to it. Shipped out to Korea late 1953. Thanks for sharing.
FORT ORD WAS A GREAT PLACE TO BE STATION.I WAS THERE FROM 2/2/76-1/12/79.THE COMPANY I WAS IN IS ALPHA BTRY 2/8 FEILD ARTILLERY.GOOD TIMES😎
I was with 6/31st Infantry Bearcats about the same time. 🙏
Thanks for sharing Alan, Great memories. Inducted through Oakland, CA. Basic at Fort Ord, CA. AIT Fort Sheridan, Ill. Stationed at the Presidio SF, detached to Naval Supply Center Alameda. Worked in NAS Alameda, Oakland & San Leandro area. Only at reception for 2 days never went to mess or did anything. Quite time.
Wow Thanks for going back in time with the video just like being there, I was there August of 1961 A-3-1. Our Co was 2nd Lt Marecek.
I was stationed at Ord 89-91, The barracks you visit and go into were also my barracks . I was in HHC 2/9 Inf . Thanks !
I was in 79th FSB and we were 9th Regt. support. Every 2 weeks it seemed we were on alert with some part of one of the 3 Battalions. Good times though!
Drafted Oct. '72. Basic at Ft. Ord B-2-1. A, I, T. in older wooden barracks. Thanks for taking me back there.
This building was in fact B-2-1 in September of 1969 . This was my home for eight weeks .
Bravo-2-1 Permanent Party supply/truck driver 71-73 .
Thanks for the video. I was stationed there from 1987 to 1991. HQ co. and B co. 2nd battalion 27th Infantry.
This was my barracks in the summer of 1971. I actually started basic in April, but after the 1st week, I came onto infectious hepatitis which I had contracted on the last evening before I was inducted, so I spent 2 1/2 months in the Ft. Ord hospital, 2 weeks as a holdover in this barracks waiting for another training cycle to start. They put me on KP for most of that 2 weeks. So, I was in the Army 3 months before I started basic training, which took some of the mystery out of what a young trainee would be subject to. This barracks was in the S.W. corner of the neighborhood of barracks, and adjacent to the water tank on the small hill.
In April, my 1st week of basic training, I had to do KP on Sunday, if I remember correctly, and the next morning I was found delirious in my bunk and taken to the Hospital. After my diagnosis of infectious hepatitis, they gave the entire training company a hep shot. I'll bet they didn't like that. As a holdover, waiting for another cycle, the 3 story barracks was empty, except for the offices on the 1st floor, and one of the open bays, where other hold overs slept. When I ventured up to the 2nd and 3rd stories, and walked around, it was spooky. I don't believe in ghosts, but i didn't know if somebody was up there, and it preyed on my mind. Any noise, and I'd turn around to see what it was.
It's unlikely that any of the trainees of that Spring cycle will ever read this comment, but,
it might be interesting for any of those trainees to learn about their Captain and 1st Sgt.
During the 2 weeks that I was a hold over in these barracks, there were roughly about 8 guys
held over. In the office was the 1st Sgt and his corporal. I believe the army still had
some corporals back then, but they were being phased out. And the captain had his own office.
It didn't happen to me, but when guys came back from leave to report to the 1st Sgt.,
the sarge would shake them down for money, I think telling them they were late and in trouble
if they didn't fork over the money. One of the hold overs had a full leg cast on, and got
in a beef with the 1st Sgt., and the sarge roughed him up. So, this guy had a chip on his
shoulder and he also had a cheapo tape player/recorder, which he set up in a locker and
somehow got the corporal in a conversation about the shake downs by the 1st Sgt. I was
present during that conversation, and it was quite entertaining and dramatic, knowing the
tape player was recording it. The corporal was in on the shake downs and laughed as he
explained there was nothing we could do about it. He spilled the beans good. After that,
the guy sent the tape to the commanding officer of Ft. Ord. On the 1st day of the next
training cycle, the entire company was standing in formation outside of the barracks.
A staff car showed up and Army brass, at least one general, entered the bldg.
Not 5 minutes later, the 1st Sgt was escorted out of the building without his
Smokey the Bear hat, with the corporal, and a little later, the Captain was escorted out, too.
I doubt if the Captain knew about his 1st Sgt and his corporal being crooked, but he was held
responsible. A blow to his career. I understand why the Army held him responsible, but he
was blind sided, probably, by the whole affair. Kind of a shame that the guy with the leg cast,
who made the audio tape probably never learned if his efforts had any effect.
My younger brothers went thru, before I did. I would drive up on weekends and take my brothers to places we grew up near (We are AF Brats). I was in A-4-3, Sep-Nov 72 (Up near the New Hospital); AIT 71B in the old wooden barracks (Self-Paced so I finished in 2 weeks and learned Army office routine) Dec-Mar 73, then off to Germany. I joined when the Army offered that "BIG" pay raise to $288/mo, plus "guarantees" (I requested 1) BCT/AIT at Ft Ord; 2) 71B Clerk MOS; 3) Assignment to Germany. They offered up to 5. It came in handy at Ft Dix (they wanted to keep me, I pulled out the card and was on the next plane to Europe).
Basic Oct 1971, 2nd platoon H-4-1 top of the hill. I was RA while most were US (draftees). Most of our class went to Nam after AIT.
Thanks for the tour. I was stationed there 71-72 as a cook in the reception station. Anyone who worked there during that time feel free to get in touch.
I was stationed there in Fall of 1970.
Thanks Alan! Awesome tour! I was there in Feb. 67 for basic. Funny how D-1-1 or D run run sticks in my memory after all these years! Thanks again!
Thanks for the memories. My barracks was at 7:51 next to the BCT East Garrison Parade Field. Don't recall the unit number ... blotted from memory. So much is gone now.
I was at Fort Ord for boot camp December 1970, wow brings back old memories.
Many thanks for your comments, which were very helpful.
Thanks again Alan! This reminds of Bldg 4596! Of course all of Infantry Hill had the same architecture and construction. But I do appreciate your video as its a living history project.
It's always nice to run across videos of Ft Ord. I arrived there in Jan '64 for basic training and BAAC afterwards then off to Ft Carson, Colorado. I always try to pick up a clue to see if I can remember area where my barracks was located but no luck so far. My company was Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 1st Batt, 3rd Brig. Thanks for video.. I see it's been up for some time.
3rd brigade is all torn down. Only four buildings preserved in 1st brigade, one of which you see here..
Ft Ord was my first duty assignment after Basic & AIT. Arrived in early May, 1975 with my new wife, and was assigned to B Co, 13th Engr Bn. We were on the far end of the one way street leading to Silas B. Hayes Army Hospital, where our daughter was born in '76. Left for Germany in June of 77. 2 years 2 months 2 long...
I was there on June 1966 for basic training on A-3-1 second floor. At that time my name was Kwong You Louie, but now my name is Mickey Kwok. My memories and thank you for the video!!!
Basic in C-2-1, September 66 to December 66. Cold ass barracks, butt can water froze on top. Loved the CS gas course, and running to the rifle ranges at port arms and full packs and steel pots.
Alan Hemenway; B 3 3 For this draft dodger. Airborne Basic with my beloved Drill SSG. Lewis. Whose favorite cadence was...
''Airborne, Airborne, where ya' been? Down at seaside drinkin' Gin... Sound off 1. 2...''
Never had to attend AIT, because from Ft. Ord... we went on a 15 day delay in route to Ft. Benning Jump School. Then after Jump school, we were assigned to an infanrty battalion @ the 82nd Abn., where every day for the next 2 & 3/4 years, was an ongoing AIT. anyways. LOL
-former recondo sgt. ''rock'' gilpin 82nd abn 11b4p 1/504 inf. '71-'74
Thanks for the views my Brother, did my heart, an old world of welcomed good!
God bless you & you're's every endeavor... until that time when we are all better blessed by all those thing yet seen, heard, & felt, that dwells within those long ago set into rhyme, many promised mansions mentioned, by our very Lord & Savior Himself! 7-21-18
Brought Tears..... Thanks for sharing Mr Alan :-)
It brought tears to me too.
@@dellaperkins9461 yep
I was stationed here in 1974,Basic training,B-4-3,Queen of Battle Infantry,Those were the day's,Had a guy relive being in Nam my first night,They had to sedate and remove him,He wanted to re-enlist thought he could do it,In the end it ate him.Marched in calf deep sand everywhere,Daybell and Easterling were my D.I's,Best Drill Instructors I ever met,Those latrines bring back memories,They actually gave us tooth brushes to scrub the small spots on the urinals,Those were the days the could still use corrective measures to handle idiots,A guy went down those stairs once while I was there for degrading a D.I while in formation,Its quite the story,Did the diving bell down at the presidio still exist when you was there? Anyways loved the memory lane trip,So many things flooded back seeing this,Thank You.
Was at DLI 74-75, went to Fort Ord now and then. Returned to DLI in 95, shortly after Ft Ord's closure. Since nearly all the colonels had left with Ft Ord, we got one of the big colonel's houses on the Presidio. Good times.
I did basic training at fort ord California in the year 1971-1972 . I was then 18 yrs old with H-2-1
My Dad was at FT. ORD before going to ATTU. He was KIA after being there just a few days. I have may Photos taken there when the Movie Stars would visit the Soldiers. Sorry to see it was left in such a shambles. The fact is not many Americans even know anything about what happened on ATTU. SHAMEFUL on the part of our War History. R.I.P.to all the men who gave their lives on that miserable place.
I took basic training in the winter months of 75, man big memories!!!
I was there for a week for an Army JROTC encampment back in 1982. It was a good experience ❤️❤️
My unit went there in 1989 to uses the ranges and go through the Impossible City and Hogan's Alley. It was a great outing.
Glad to the video of Ft. Ord! I was stationed there in ‘80-82 in the 54th MP Co.
I was at Fort Ord 1977-79 Co C 2nd of 17th infantry buffaloes. We trained in air cavalry and armor cavalry. those were my barracks back then. I recognize that tree too. the double doors and armory in the basement. We had two-man rooms in 1977
What Memories ! Spc. Anthony Santee HHC 2/9 Scouts 89-91' Yes I lived in that building as well; second floor above CQ desk. " SCOUTS OUT ".......
Do you remember SGT Rodriguez?
@@YoelBorges-r5j mortars or AT ?
Hey Tony Santee 😮
At Platoon
Just cause.... Panama 89-90
I was up on the "hill" in B-1-1 for Basic and AIT. March-August of 1969. Got my SP4 stripes at Fort Ord pretty quick, but never made E-5. I really remember the Greyhound bus station, pay telephone bldg, theater and bowling alley. It was a great time for me, and made me grow up, quick. Love you Ford Ord, rest in peace!
Thanks for posting. Basic in June 65, D-2-1.
I was stationed at Fort Ord twice. Once in 1984 to 1985 and again 1987 to 1988. I left before the deployment to Panama. The base was so far behind the times. Old building backwards thinking in terms of the type of units that should be base there. There was no true training areas on the base. Training was done at Fort Hunter-Leggit and Camp Roberts. Both bases were at least 50 to 100 miles from Fort Ord off of highway 101 south. Fort Ord was/is prime real estate. It has ocean views.
Cool video. I’ve lived here since 2013. Never saw the base in action
Sir, so did you take this in 1989? I didn't realize the started the BRAC process 4yrs before they actually shut it down.
I was still there in 1989 but I'm guessing it was in Dec-Jan timeframe since I don't see very many soldiers walking around. We were all probably down in Panama.:)
Thank you for sharing.
A very good video of how those barracks looked before too much vandalism and neglect .I was there from Oct 76 to June 78, with the 7th Infantry Division . Not a high speed base at that time . I fired more ammo at 4 weeks of summer camp near Reading as a kid than I did at Ft.Ord in almost 2 years . But there were a lot of good times , and the Army at that time had no drug testing , so we all got stoned a lot . We were good troops , just loaded most of the time .
I was there in 1969 at A-3-1. Visited in 2005 and was really disappointed with the state of the Fort. Though I was in basic training, I still felt sad to see the place in such a mess. Even worse now.
What memories I have of that place! I was drafted April 1, 1969, did basic and AIT there before going to Vietnam. I was with Americal Division 198th light infantry brigade in Chu Lai. I thought Fort Ord was hard at 19 years old but didn’t compare to Nam!
I was born here in 82 i sure would love to visit it still there.
I was born on the base too! 1959.😊
We were there in the early 90's. Left July 5, 1993. We went from 50° weather at Ft. Ord to 100° weather at Ft. Bliss.
I took my basic training at Ord. Aug 69-Oct 69. Went back for a tour 81-83 Then to flight school. Lived on Carpenter Ct Near Fritze Army Airfield. Memories.....Thanks
I was in A-3-1 in the same building Aug. 1970 to Oct. 1970. That large tree was a sapling then. Did countless push-ups on the street in front of that building. Sgt. Greer was my Drill Sargent.
CKMAX I was also there at the same time. I forget my unit. I’ll have to check my records. Sgt. Seau was our First Sergeant.
I grew up there my grandpa and dad served. I miss fort ord when it was active
I was at Fort Ord from May to November, 1969. A-4-3 for Basic, and Personnel Specialist AIT. They sent me to Flak Kaserne in Ludwigsburg, Germany where I stayed for 7 months. Then I volunteered for Vietnam, and after a home leave, spent the rest of my time there.
i WAS THERE AT EIGHTEEN in 1964 one month after high school during the Vietnam era and we couldnt leave because of the MENINGITIS (SPELL) SCARE so we had to stay on base and hang our mattress out the windows at night and sleep on the springs,, I was ping pong champion and I did enjoy that but this video is a godsend to me for the actual visual sure brings back memories that if for lack of a better word, is not a memory but part of my being..
We were stationed there when I was a kid.
Thank you - thank you - thank for posting this video. I was a Drill Sgt in A-1-3 71-75. I wasn't selected to be the "model" for the DS statue but have desired to "see" it again. Is it still there?
Davnkatzr A53 1974. My Drill SGT was SFC Leongarero.
I was A-3-1 in 1972 my Drill SGT was Drill SGT Slone
Jack Tadum the NFL football player was in our Barracks and a squad leader, RIP Jack
Yes the Drill Sargeant statue is still there. I was stationed at Ft. Ord as a 55 B (ammo/explosives).
Looking at the comments, thinking how werid it must be for non military folks to wonder what we're saying. A .I .T . (advanced individual training) of course 'we' know that but do non military?🤔
I was a Drill Sargeant for seven years then became a 55 B. cause I liked the challenge. Out of all of the folks we started with only 3 of
us passed. Not bragging,just wanted to learn. Plus I was the only female 55 B at that time.
You make mistakes in that job it could be your last mistake. No joke.
I was in the same building in 1969 - A-3-1. What a great memory this provides.
What month ? I was in this building in September of 1969 . B-2-1 Commanding officer was Capt . Christensen
@@TheGG794 Little delay in answering!! I was there from mid-August to early October.
I did basic and AIT there October 1966 through March 1967, then on to VN. I am a photographer now, and have been photographing Ft. Ord over the last 15 years or so, and it is very sad to see the dilapidated and vandalized buildings now.
Lightfighter medic with evacuation(aka ambulance) Plt, B Co, 7th Med Bn...1988-1990. Great memories of FOCA, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Carmel, 17-mile drive
When I read 'Lightfighter' it makes me think of Star Wars.
I was one also, 7th S&T B Company & our motto was
'Slient& Deadly'. I was a
55 B, amo/explosives SPC.
Was at Ft. Ord in the mid 1980's till Dessert Storm in 1989 is when I left Ft. Ord went there.
Cried to hear of Stilwell Hall having been torn down or so I've been told.
I was stationed here in 1987 with the 237th medical detachment, then again in 1991 with the 7th FSB.
Hi, Don! Small world!! I was 32nd Sig. from July 66' to Jan. 68. McNair Kaserne, Frankfurt. I was a member of TAC Team (Tactical Advanced Communications). Then I went to Nam for 15 months. John W. Tobin.
Juan P. Arvizo Took basic and advanced training same unit October 1959 in the new buildings. SFC Cathey was my drill Sergeant. Then went to South Korea by USNS Barrett finally arriving at Blue Lancer Valley South Korea.
Favorite memories: The filming of Soldier in the Rain with Steve McQueen and Jackie Gleason. McQueen screaming the tires on the asphalt between the barracks merely because he could get away with it. Guard duty escort for an AWOL from the stockade all over the post for the day. As soon as we left the stockade with me a few paces behind he states he is going to run when we get over the hill with me replying as soon as you run I will shoot you. He states if you do you will get a court martial and I replied good your legs will be healed by then and you can be a witness for me that I did shoot you. We had a nice day although touchy at chow time.
Good for you! I'll bet the clown didn't run after all.
A captain who was with a general was getting bent with me because I wouldn't let them into my ammo dump.
Captain states that he's with A GENERAL & that I HAD to let them in. I stated that I didn't care if he was with God, that without the proper stuff/& info they weren't getting in.
The captain about really lost it then & I had a loaded M16. The general stepped up & stated and showed me the right 'stuff' & praised me (I'm not bragging, was just protecting my post) for not 'giving in' to his captain's B.S.
which is really what it was.
Another 'ass--'H' tried to sneak up my ammo tower. He ignored all the warnings & he didn't know I could see his hand reach up & I slammed down on his hand with the butt of my weapon & the officer yelled out in pain as he fell down & then he was arrested.
The officer had me having to go to court but long story short the judge told the officer that he was lucky I haddn't shot and killed him, that I had every right too. The officer was the one who got into troulble. KARMA.
Papa Snakedoctor (
I was stationed there from '89-'93. HHC 4-21.
11C C co 4/21 92-93
Great Video, I was HHC13th Engineer Bn, 75-77.
B51 April 1970, could look of my barracks window and see my parents house. Guess you've figured out I'm a Army brat. Lived at 405 Kalborn Rd. Knew these woods like the back of my hand.
This was my basic training company, A-3-1. I started training on May 28, 1969. This guys room was my very own squad room that I shared with one other guy. I was in the day room when the Eagle landing on the moon. The next day I went out on bivouac. My older brother took training in this same building in 1958.
I was in this very same building - A-3-1 - in June 1959. In fact, I was in the platoon bay. I remember double-timing from there all the down to the last rifle range, and having PT in the morning out front. I came down with a cold and would not go on sick call, because back then if you went on sick you had to turn everything you had in to supply, but one Saturday I had guard duty, which we pulled wearing our Class A uniforms. We were information, and I remember looking out of the corner of my eye at the inspecting officer. The last thing I remember was watching moving all around and I could not understand why he was doing that. I came too with him slapping me in the face. I was so sick I passed out. Spent a few days in the hospital and when I got the ISG sent me to field. When back on sick call the next day and when I told the doctor what happened he called the company. By the time I got back the CO had been relieved and the ISG was pissed. I spent the next few weekends on my knees waxing the Day Room floor with a can of car wax and a rag. I never went back on sick call again. God I miss Fort Ord.
Hey Alan, You went through Basic in 1962? I got to Fort Ord in February 0f 1972. Now, 10 years after you and I was stuck in the Old WW II barrack's. FREEZING COLD and there was huge problem with Spinal-Meningitis and the windows HAD TO BE OPEN 8 inches 24/7 and cold not raise the temperature above 62 degrees. What a great time in my life!!!
At the end of 1962 we heard of incidents of spinal meningitis but we hadn't started keeping windows open yet.
Alan, It was bad and bad and got worse. I was sick everyday for the 9 weeks at Fort Ord. For all I know I could have contracted it? Muscle aches, Sinus problems, no rest or any sleep to heal... There was nothing but double time and yelling. As I know you already know. Basic training is no where near today as it was back in our time. I was 17 years old living in streets of Los Angeles, no parents, home, education...nothing. I was blessed to be able to JOIN the U.S. ARMY. Re-enlisted for another 3 years. I would have done 20 years but the Field Arty was a rough way to make a living. Racial situations in the 1970's was HORRIBLE. REALLY BAD!!! Whites and Blacks were not doing well together. REALLY BAD. Sad because I was enjoying the ARMY but Overseas for 5 years out of 6 Years!!!!
When black GIs married non-blacks overseas, they were typically sent to Ft. Ord and other places in California as being a friendlier state when returning to the states. Can you imagine how it would be down Southeast.
Hi was there in 1962 and on 293 MILITARY POLICE
@@AlanHemenway When I was a Drill Sargeant (only one of a few jobs I had in the Army over the years) we didn't have 'blacks', 'whites', greens, purple... I DIDN'T have 'colors' in my out fits I had PEOPLE, plain people.
Once that was 'excepted' and that all I saw was the color of their uniforms 'WE' got along just fine. Sometimes you have hard heads in every 'race' but for the most part folks could see what I ment.
Mess with one of 'us' acting as a true team, standing shoulder to shoulder together it was worth fighting for. No one got special treatment.
After getting it together, 'they'd graduate and like in the movie; 'To Sir with Love, & I'd have to start all over again.
Great to see a video of this beautiful base before the elements and vandals destroyed
This historic site.
Was that the former P.T. field at 5;21 of the video ? If i'm not mistaken , this is the same barracks I was in back in September of 1969 . Ours was at the very corner of all of the concrete barracks on Gigling road next to the road that led to the bivouac area . Our company was B-2-1 under the command of Capt . Christenson . I hope someone from my company sees this .
Was there in August 63, C31, 5 of us were RA in basic with an NG company from Washington, I believe. Good memories...thank you.
Thanks for the Vid! I also was in A-3-1, 3rd Plt in the open bay in June 1964 for Basic Training. My home town??? Monterey! In fact I am an Army Brat and we lived on base, I went to school on base and took basic on base. My Dad retired there in 1963, served with CDEC.
Was a MP THERE 293 MP patrolled the housing area in 1962=64
Howard Golding My dad was an MP here 1960-1961 and said he hated patrolling the housing area as the patrol car idled faster than the 5mph speed limit. He said when he worked the gates he used to flirt with the trainees girlfriends coming to visit their boyfriends.
+Howard Golding then you were there when steve mcqueen and jackie gleason made soldier in the rain at fort ord 1963. i was there from 86 to 89 i just went back october 2015, barracks are still there with windows broken out and wind blowing the curtains, swimming pool hasnt been demolished yet,
I was in A-3-1 Headhunters, rah! I was there from May to July in 1967, then moved over to the old barracks close to the bowling alley for AIT. I remember we were on meningitis control and could not leave our floor except for chow or to go to the PX once a week, on Sunday afternoon we could call home from one of the 2 pay phones.
I remember too being on the top floor and being able to see the sun sit in the Pacific ocean each evening. That was a beautiful sight.
A.2.1 Lean n Mean Raw 68
Was it an infantry training base? I did b.c.t at flw in "96" 12b
I took basic training at ft ord in 1971, then I took 8 more weeks of ait infantry at ft ord, the memories.
Arrived there the night of jan. 26, 1955. 60 years ago today. 6th. div. 63rd. Inf. Reg.
Sad to see what's happened to the post. I did basic training (C/2/1) 1972/73 and AIT.
Is that on Gigling Road?If I recall, we had a P.T. area across the road from the mess hall.Our barracks was on the corner facing the road to the bivouac area about 5 miles through large tracts of I believe tomato farms .Low crawls and ladder bars before entering the messhall.Who can forget the marches to the range by the ocean,going through the underpass of a highway along the way.Our company commander was Capt Christensen and our platoon sgt. was Sgt. Bennett.B-2-1 Kill,Kill,Kill.Aug.69-nov69
thanks I took boot there in 1971 A-12 was back to look at the old place a few years ago.I should have never gone back.