Did my basic training at Fort Ord.
Just north of Monterey and Carmel.
Right on the beach.
Many rifle ranges were on the beach.
Most beautiful it was.
I did my basic at Ord. There was tremendous activity there in 53-54, as the United States began to prepare the support for France in Indo-China. Then from 13 March thru 7 May 1954 they fought the battle of Dien Bien Phu. With that loss any thought Eisenhower may have had to support the French was ended. Trainees were held in barracks while it was decided what to do next. The score of locomotive engineers, most from the Mountain states and drafter to run the railroads in Viet Nam were sent back home (poor bastids were old, out of shape). Some draftees were discharged. The units which were to be infantry trained at Hunter Ligget were given new assignments, and many were trained as postal agents at fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. Man, those were chaotic times.