U.S. Citizens Defense Corps during WWII
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 Civil Defense Corps Protective Services
Utility Repair Crews
* Both men and women could serve in these units
Organization of the Citizens Defense Corps
“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.”
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.