Cold War Tactics. (original) (raw)
During the Khrushchev era in the 1950�s, there was a lot of tension and potential civil unrest with news accounts of conflict with the (former) USSR and its promoted policies toward a domination of world politics. Many measures were undertaken to mitigate threats of attack. Today, we have Homeland Security as a deterrent to hostile and terrorist attempts to disrupt and damage the American way of life, harm its citizenry, or destroy its infrastructure.
| �During World War II, new long-range bombers appeared. They could fly so far and so fast that even the wide oceans no longer protected the United States. American leaders realized that the country needed a new, strong civil defense program. Congress passed the Federal Defense Act of 1950. This act gave the responsibility for civil defense to state and local governments. The Federal Defense Administration was established to carry out the act. It had the job of coordinating the civil defense plans made by states and cities. Late in 1958, the act was amended to make defense a federal-state responsibility.� [The New Book of Knowledge; Grolier, Inc; New York; copyright 1969] |
|---|
In our senior high years, a number of students joined the Harris County Civil Defense Corps. A lot of us were ROTC Cadets from schools across the District who became members of the Communications Division, meeting one evening a week at Houston�s old downtown City Hall Building that had been vacated to new facilities.
We learned techniques and skills of gathering information in order to disseminate alerts and bulletins to the public for awareness and action. Keep in mind, this volunteer involvement was prior to the technology of today with wide access via vast television media networks and relatively instantaneous cyber communications.
We felt that we were performing a potentially useful service. It was a good experience for me, personally, as I somewhat pursued that avenue of activity during my military service following graduation from high school. The disciplined attention to detail also benefited me throughout my career pursuits afterwards.
© Bruce MartinThey Shoe Horses, Don't They?
December 19, 2012 Guest column
Related Topics:
WWII | WWI| People | Columns | Texas Town List | Texas
Custom Search
Book Hotels Here- Expedia Affiliate Network