Fort Ord is a former United States Army post on Monterey Bay of the Pacific Ocean coast in California, which closed in 1994. Most of the fort's land now makes up the Fort Ord National Monument, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System.Before construction and official designation as a fort in 1940, the land was used as a maneuver area and field-artillery target range during 1917.Fort Ord was considered one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California weather.The 7th Infantry Division was its main garrison for many years.ort Ord was considered one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California weather. The 7th Infantry Division was its main garrison for many years.