The Story Continues…………………………OE…….The General’s Wife
If you remember the fiasco in San Jose, where the Officer’s wives refused to go shopping and Lea and I did a impromptu Communications Workshop for one day, with them, which the Ladies wanted more of it, finally came to pass. The General’s wife had her own idea on who would attend She wanted the top 4 Ladies of the of the Officer’s Wives club to attend and she also wanted the top 4 Ladies of the NCO Wives Club to attend. She was a very smart lady in my eyes. Getting the Power Ladies of Fort Ord together in one class. I also invited an old grizzled Master Sergeant and a young 2nd Lieutenant. Poor guy. I’m sure he was thinking the General’s wife! Oh! No!
The first morning was spent explaining there was no rank involved in the course no matter who you were married too. First names only would be used. Similes on all faces. Lea and I saw them relax. We chuckled about that later.
Once we started giving them problems to solve and put them in groups, it was on.
They solved problems and started to realize what group process was all about.
They had a ball. This was the most alert and happy group we had ever had.
By the end of the week, we could see many lifetime friendships being made.
It helped them and Fort Ord to no end. From this point on there was new feelings and understanding of the wives of each group.
We did 4 more workshops for the ladies. They were all the same, nothing but positive reactions from them.
At the next Monday morning staff meeting, after the first workshop. The General with donut in hand said “What the hell did you do to my wife?" "Sir?" “She is happy and has a new outlook on her place in the scheme of things.” I just smiled and told him she has learned much about her self and the other Ladies she works with. “Oh”. “Don’t know what I would do without you Son.” “Yes Sir! My pleasure”