Although Fort Ord isn’t used for national defense these days; today, it’s a popular spot for tourists and recreational enthusiasts. Now, visitors are being warned of potential dangers from grenades and explosives found near unauthorized trails. All of this while Veterans await new developments on a study involving potential exposure to toxic materials while serving.Read next:Discover Camp Century, a Real Life Hoth Military Base From the Cold War

Where Is Fort Ord?

Fort Ord is in Marina, CA, on Monterey Bay along the Pacific Ocean coast. It is roughly 69 miles south of San Jose, CA. Both Fort Ord Dunes State Park and the Fort Ord National Monument can be found here.There are many draws to the area, including its beautiful weather, stunning cliffsides, and serene beach.On top of this, before Americans lived in the area, evidence shows that the Costanoan Indians called this place home for thousands of years.However, a recent development in 2024 shows that the Fort Ord dunes trails may be potentially dangerous to visitors who stray too far from the path.

Trails and the Threat of Grenades

The Army and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are urging visitors to the Fort Ord National Monument to remain on official hiking trails due. This is due to the presence of unexploded munitions from the former Army installation.Specifically, unauthorized trails and jumps near Barloy Canyon Road were found, presenting a threat to visitors.There are more than 86 miles of trails with markers for visitors to enjoy, whereas, unauthorized trails pose a risk to public safety.The ongoing cleanup operation aims to remove hazardous items such as artillery projectiles and bombs, to make the Fort Ord dunes trail paths safer.Failure to abide by the trail guidelines can lead to obvious health hazards and may also result in legal issues for anyone guilty of committing a violation.

Was Agent Orange Sprayed at Fort Ord, California?

Whether or not Agent Orange was sprayed at the Fort Ord Army Base is a debate that rages on. Here’s what we know so far:

• During a September 2011 Travel Board, a Veteran testified that he had been exposed to Agent Orange while stationed at Fort Ord, California.
• In June 2013, the Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) showed that there was no documentation of the use, storage, testing, transportation, or spraying of Agent Orange at the fort.

The opportunity for potential Fort Ord VA claims may be growing with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducting ongoing investigations into potential toxicity to the soil and water at the base.

The CDC Is Conducting a Health Study

A new study from the CDC is figuring out if Veterans at Fort Ord were exposed to toxins that cause cancer.This is nothing new. It comes from a nine-month period after the Associated Press (AP) discovered toxic chemicals in drinking water from the military base. Hundreds of Veterans living there from the 1980s through 1990s had exposure.A letter written to Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., who works as the Director of the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, reads, “There are sufficient data and scientific reasons for ATSDR to re-evaluate health risks related to historical drinking water exposures at Fort Ord.” This is in addition to the new study Porter requested in February 2022 after the AP broke the story.According to some, such as Julie Akey, an Army Veteran who lived at Fort Ord, “[She is] confident that science will prove our high rate of cancers and illnesses are not a coincidence.” Akey was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of 46 with a rare blood cancer known as multiple myeloma.Akey’s Facebook group for Fort Ord Veterans suffering from cancer continues to grow and has almost 1,000 members.The fort was previously added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the most polluted places in the nation in 1990, four years before closing.Fort Ord contamination of drinking water and soil shows that they contained dozens of chemicals. Some have links to cancer.According to the review by the AP, public documents showed the Army knew about the chemicals. They were dumped for decades improperly. The U.S. Army brushed over the risks, even after such risks were documented.Included in the alleged chemicals was trichloroethylene (TCE), better known as a degreaser popular at Fort Ord. From 1985 to 1994, the Army found TCE in the base’s wells 43 times. 18 of those results were exceeding the legal limits.

What Did the Previous Health Study Find?

Twenty-five years ago, a study was conducted; however, this new study will be a much-needed update.In 1996, the previous ATSDR public health study discovered that the soil and aquifers below the fort were exposed to toxins. They were not likely to pose a past, present, or future threat to those living there.What was found, however, was based on data that was limited by the military. This was before medical science understood the relationship between chemical exposure and cancer. A specific focus would be on TCE.Before 1985, it was hard to tell the length and concentration of TCE in the water. To make things worse, TCE wasn’t the only issue in terms of chemicals, as over 40 in total were found in the soil and groundwater.In areas that provided drinking water, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said the contamination was within the safe range.The VA has consistently denied medical care or disability benefits to Veterans living at the base who have cancer.According to Akey, the new study may help them get benefits. This is by linking their cancers to their time at Fort Ord.2024 Update: As of this writing, the Fort Ord water contamination investigation is still ongoing, leaving questions for Veterans searching for answers. Stay tuned for more updates as information is released.

When Did Fort Ord Close?

In 1991, Fort Ord was chosen to be decommissioned, and this came to fruition in 1994. Today, there are still some Army activities, but the base as a whole is shuttered, and the activity is minimal.The history of Fort Ord began in 1917. This is when construction began as part of the necessary military investments made by the U.S. government in response to World War I.Thankfully, WWI ended in 1918. However, the military installation continued on for many decades as a place for the U.S. military to conduct military preparations.Today, the base is far past its glory days and no longer in use. However, there are attractions bringing the public to the area. Adding to the concerns about potential toxins in Fort Ord, California, the CDC is still looking into.Fort Ord military base today continues to be a historic California post and is now a place of recreation and wonder, just stick to the trails to avoid potential explosive hazards.If you or someone you know served at Fort Ord, be sure to stay up-to-date with the ongoing investigations. It could be the center of substantial legal cases depending on the findings.Suggested read: Space Force Budget Cuts Persist as Space Threats Grow

Photo Credit: U.S. Army