“Who Should Join.
—All able-bodied, responsible persons in the community—men and women, housewives, laborers, business and professional people—for the mutual protection of all. Boys and girls, and elderly people too, have work to do. The program is broad; the tasks are many; the time is now! . . .

Qualifications for membership require enrollment, physical and mental aptitude, recognition of obligation to study duties, take required training courses, and subsequently attend periodical group practice.”
— United States Citizens Defense Corps Handbook

U.S. Citizens Defense Corps

Units of the Citizens Defense Corps

The Defense Corps consisted of enrolled and volunteer-staffed units engaged with:

1) the protective services engaged with civilian defense; and

2) additional protective services engaged in civilian defense, established when required by order of the Director, and

3) related services such as Chaplains.

The Protective Services were:

  • Air Raid Wardens*

  • Auxiliary Police

  • Auxiliary Firemen

  • Bomb Squad

  • Fire Watchers*

  • Demolition and Clearance Crews*

  • Road Repair Crews

  • Rescue Crews

  • Decontamination Crews

  • Medical Corps

  • Nurses’ Aides Corps*

  • Drivers Corps

  • Emergency Food & Housing*

  • Messenger

  • Utility Repair Crews

  • Instructors

  • Staff Corps

    * Both men and women could serve in these units

Insignia chart of the Citizens Defense Corps with various symbols and labels for different units and roles, including Basic Insigne, Drivers Corps, Messengers, Rescue Squads, Auxiliary Police, Bomb Squads, Air Raid Wardens, Auxiliary Firemen, Fire Watchers, Demolition and Clearance Crews, Road Repair Crews, Decontamination Squad, Emergency Food & Housing Corps, Medical Corps, and Nurses' Aides Corps.

Not everyone could give up the time required to join the Defense Corps, but opportunities to support the war effort were available via the US Citizens Service Corps.