The Empty Office 
Slice Of Life
By Sheri de Grom
Three decades ago I hired into the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Fort Ord, CA. I didn’t know it at the time, but my career had just started. I’d accidentally fallen into a position with the federal government that allowed me to have a fulfilling professional life.
That first day on the new job was unlike any I’d ever experienced. The senior non-commissioned officer in-charge (NCOIC) introduced me around and showed me to my new office. It was nearly empty!
The NCOIC’s parting words were, “If you need anything, let me know.”
What was this? A nightmare or a bad joke? My office consisted of a desk chair, the regulation black army telephone and a familiar thick black binder. This particular binder held the federal regulations I would use each and every day.
This had to be a joke, but I wasn’t amused. I went in search of the NCOIC but he was no-where to be found and as far as I could tell, no one knew when he’d return. Standard protocol required the NCOIC to have my office ready for occupancy before I arrived.
I’d worked at three other large organizations on Fort Ord before arriving at the Staff Judge Advocate and had seen and heard tales regarding the acquisition of items and how they could be obtained without going through regulatory channels. I immediately set to work by phoning a number of individuals for whom I’d previously done favors. I called in markers and created new ones by the dozens.
By the end of my second day in my new office, it was completely furnished and it was beautiful. No one would recognize it as a standard issue regulation military office. I even exchanged the original office chair for a plush executive chair from a former boss.
It became a standing joke that I had nicer digs than the colonel for whom I now worked. I offered to barter a newly-decorated office for him but he always laughed and said, “The price would be too high!”
I miss those days at Fort Ord, CA, at the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Our building is gone now, but when it was there, I liked to say, “Mine is the corner office, the one right next to the back door.”
Sheri Lawrence de Grom 
Sheri, what a wonderful story, reminded me of a similar story during my own career in the Navy. Barter was a way of survival, and I managed it will LOL. I can see now that I am going to have to dig into yor archives to get the good stuff LOL. Take care, Bill
Bill – Each time I revisit this blog it reminds me of how much fun working could be and the wonderful world of Fort Ord, CA. Of course I loved everything about living on the central Coast of California. Those were the days when the few who dared, were actually able to operate their departments and accomplish their mission.
I nominated you for the Unique Leaves Award!
Thank you so much. I am honored.
You are welcome. 🙂
This is a little window you have opened for me to see what your world was. Wow.
Your account of this job reminds me of a story my daughter came across when she was in middle school. She even used it when she campaigned for president of the student council:
Which one are we? The carrot, the egg or the coffee bean? The carrot, although it stands firm and tall, when placed in boiling water, turns to mush. The egg with its hard shell seems impervious but when placed in the boiling water, the inside changes forever to a solid unyielding piece. The coffee bean, however, when placed in the boiling water will remain the same. And, it changes the water to a fragrant brown liquid.
It appears that you, my dear, are a coffee bean.
Thanks so much for reading with me and I love your story and am honored to be called a coffee bean. ‘Here’s to coffee beans forever. Let us unite to make this world a better place to live.’ This is the first comment I’ve read this morning and you’ve made my day.
😀
I’m thankful for years of fond memories from different locations around the world.
What a fun memory! It’s interesting to think back to some of my early jobs.
Sheri! decorating? the benefits of being a master negotiator. lynn
Lynn – You know me to well. I’d rather negotiate than decorate any day of the week. Negotating really became fun on this project when I no could trade something fpr an item I truly didn’t want but it would do in a pinch – and then – later on, I’d find something that was just perfect and I’d trade up for just what I wanted. I did some of my best work in that office, once I finally had it all put togheter.
When I moved into my office at the university, I had to clean and furnished it myself. 😉 I do have a question about the remodeled pic of your office…where’s all the paper scattered aimlessly all over the desk? or…is that just my office? ha
I wish.
Last line of the post is cute. (mine was near the elevator when I was still working) You must have many stories of the base locked up in that brain of yours.
I loved everything about living and working on Fort Ord. After all, the central coast of California is one of the most beautiful places in the world (IMO). The atmosphere (before the serious talks of closure) made Fort Ord a great place to work.
Individuals getting on and off the elevator could lead to an interesting day at the office, I would think.
Oh yes, a lot I could have ratted on, if I had the inclination to. Just wish I had kept a journal of everything.
You are a woman of wonders, Sheri!
I would have loved to see your boss’ face after your renovation! 😉
Denise – The Colonel said I was okay unless 60 Minutes showed up and then I’d be in big trouble. Thankfully that never happened. After all, did he really expect me to go out and haul in one of those old army tin desks?
Sheri, isn’t it grand that you are like an old horse trader … an Arab in the who pitches his tent and sells and barters and then slips into the night his tents under his arm, your money in his pocket 🙂 Love the thought of you … like Radar on MASH … who during his tenor in Korea mailed himself a jeep … one part at a time 🙂
Hey, Florence – I think we would have made grand partners in ‘crime’ had we been able to put to use all the parts routinely sent to the junk heap. It’s unbelievable what I found that I could trade for yet another item that I really wanted. Now if we could get our government to understand the concept of horse trading.
Ahhh – Sheri i knew you were a woman who can “make things happen” – your gorgeous office transformation is a testament to this!! So lovely!!! 🙂 x RL
Robyn – Indeed it was great fun. I’m not much on waiting to see what will happen if I do nothing. The best part is that I met Tom during the time I worked on Fort Ord and when I accepted the position with JAG, his office was just down the street a bit from mine. We had the opportunity for many a wonderful lunch together–the memories live on in my mind. Everyone at JAG came to love Tom and we were all family long before Fort Ord, closed.
I’m fairly certain there is nothing you can’t do. You are wonder woman! I love that you took control and called in markers for your office. It needs to be a space where you can work to your most efficient and you certainly showed you know how to make that happen. When there is a zombie apocalypse, I want you on my team.
Hi Tameri – I’m not sure about the zombie apocalypse. I’d certainly try to do my part:) Thanks for visiting me ‘at the office.’ I have catching up to do with your ever so fascinating summer adventure. See you there.
How depressing to start a new job with an almost-empty office, Sheri! Good for you for taking matters into your own hands and decorating your space so beautifully.
Patti – The empty office presented a challenge but when I look back on the experience, if I hadn’t the opportunity to decorate my own office – it would have had dreary military style furniture in it. I was able to do it my way and bargain for what I wanted. I got a lot of mileage out of that office in terms of favors I owed others and markers I called in. It’s been over three decades and I’m still friends with people I made ‘deals’ with. Life presents us with interesting moments in time.
Lovely office God bless you my friend have a beautiful week:)
Len – Thank you, my friend and right back at you.
Being plush and close to the back door could provide extra comfort as you could make a silent and quick escape for a breath of fresh air, or spew out your thoughts to the winds and re-enter feeling refreshed and ready to go forward
Terry – You are so right. It didn’t hurt that Monterey Bay and the sounds of the sea gulls were also right outside the double back door. We often left the doors open and the fresh smell of Monterey Bay swept through our offices. We were all spoiled.
But did you work with Harm and Mac? JAG continues to be one of my favorite TV shows even though I think I’ve seen all the episodes at least three times.
Jane – The producers of JAG desperately needed an advisory staff if they wanted the show to represent anything similiar to the inner workings of the way things really are (were). I ocassionally watched the show and tried to let the mistakes roll and enjoy it for entertainment value. Of course we see the same with the ever-popular NCIS series, the crime-lab series, and on and on. Television is for entertainment in my opinion or I watch a documentary.
I’m sure that’s true, but I did love JAG. NCIS, not so much. Nobody there looks as good as Harm did.
Jane – I understand. We all have our favorites, don’t we.
When I volunteered at Fort Gordon GA I had literally had nothing, soon the Capt noticed I enjoyed what I did there and worked hard often taking work home with me, so although a volunteer one day I came in I had a desk and all the supplies I needed in my little corner….now I know how I got those things so fast!! 😉
Patty – It’s so good to see you again, my friend. I knew you would understand the workings of ‘military acquisition.’ If our government worked on the same principle as how most military bases really operate, our national debt would be in a lot better place. My guess is that your Capt procurred your desk and supplies in much the same way as I put my office together.
Probably, I have not thought of him in years. He said too bad he could not “transfer” me to stay at Gordon! He also threatened to keep Tom there – ha ha Actually after 3 yrs at MacDill AFB, I would have liked it better keeping him at one place and not flying all over the world. 😉
Patty – Sometimes I wish I could have some do-overs at locations I’ve particularly loved. However, moving with ‘Uncle Sam’ has advantages but sometimes it’s hard to see at the time it’s happening. I bet you put youself 150% into your volunteering and your Captain knew he’d never have another ‘YOU.’
Well we do have our happy memories of a good life!
This posting explains so much about the strong person you are today. It says you have always been a professional problem solver, always been resilient, always overcome obstacles. I hope our little online community is a place where you can unburden and take a rest now and then. I hope we offer you opportunities to renew and recharge the way you offer them to us. Thanks for the interesting “read”!
Cheryl – Thank you for stopping by to visit me ‘at the office’ today. I so appreciate your support. I had such fun putting my office together with Monterey Bay and the sea gulls just out my back door.
Your office turned out beautiful, Sherri! I can really tell you miss it, even more that what you say in your post!…thank you for sharing!
Deb – Yes, I loved Fort Ord and everyone I worked with at JAG. We were a team and I never experienced that again in my entiree career. When Fort Ord closed my world changed forever but it didn’t stop. It was so much more than just an office and a place for me. I will always think of it as ‘home.’ Thank you for reading with me.
Lovely blog you have here Sheridegrom 🙂
Thank you Ksavita. I also love whee you plan to retire. It’s a beautiful location.
thanks dear…its just a plan as of now ..lets see where I end up 🙂
A post from you is the perfect way to end my night. As always, I loved it. Love these insightful and interesting posts that you share.
Thank you so much. I thought I’d do something light and fun for my Monday blog. Last week was intense.