" THE BIG PICTURE: HOW TO PREPARE FOR WAR ” 1960s NATIONAL GUARD NIKE AJAX HERCULES MISSILE 86994

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This film is from the TV show called “The Big Picture” which ran from 1951 to 1964 and featured episodes produced by the US Army Signal Corps Army Pictorial Service. This one focuses on the National Guard: what it takes to become a member as well as what a day in the life of a Guardsmen, including manning modern Nike missile systems. It opens with Adjutant General of Tennessee (:09) introducing the film. The setting is in New England and a sign for the “Colonial Inn 1776” is shown (1:36) as well as “The Old Manse” which was home of the Emersons, Ripleys and Hawthornes (1:51) as the area is rich in history. This is the location in which the ‘shot heard around the world’ was fired (2:15) in Lexington, Massachusetts. The subject of the story is shown along with neighbors of the town working on spring cleaning projects (3:15) when he receives an alert call (4:23). Other men of the town also hear the alert and drop whatever they are doing and head to the National Guard’s Nike Ajax site (5:42). Whether or not the alert is for practice or not, guardsmen must arrive promptly and treat it as a real emergency (5:56). The sign for the Massachusetts National Guard control site follows (6:07). Guardsmen are deployed to locations in the area chosen in predetermined plans (6:33) and National Guard uniforms are seen being handed out (6:44) as well as a radio unit tested in the back of a jeep (6:53). At the Massachusetts National Guard launch site, the main character settles into position and over the radio they are informed an unidentified flying craft was spotted on the radar screen and sparked the alert (11:13). Other guards in the area set up at the Nuclear Metals Plant (11:39), to the Concord revisor (11:54) as well as to other missile sites (11:59). Air National Guard jets took off within minutes of receiving the alert (12:08). The film show’s his first night when he reported for a two-hour drill at the armory (12:57). His first guard unit was a tank outfit (13:12) and a stripped-down turret assembly of a tank is seen on the floor of the armory (13:16). Training was conducted in compliance with active army standards (13:25) and new enlistees without previous experience completed six months of active duty training at the army training center (13:31). He had chosen to do training which would allow him to transfer to a Nike Missile site (14:14). There were more than 5,000 Army and Air Guard units in over 2,600 communities (15:28). Guardsmen were trained in all types of climate including over 100 degrees (15:43) as well as in the freezing temperatures of the arctic (15:48). The Eskimo Scouts of the Alaskan National Guard in Fort Richardson, Alaska follow (16:00). They reported on any unusual movements in the Bering Sea and assisted with emergency rescue operations (16:09). The Hawaiian National Guard (16:30) was responsible for guarding the Nike Missile site on Oahu (16:52). Scenes from combat training follow (17:52) and the Guard had 21 Infantry Divisions as well as 6 Armored Divisions. Members of the Air National Guard’s (18:20) defense responsibility lay in interceptor and in tactical reconnaissance. An additional responsibility of the National Guard is to aide in local emergencies and the film turns to the scene of a disastrous flood (18:57) with Guardsmen unloading supplies. They had a dual status of reservists of the US Armed Forces as well as members of the National Guard to their own state (19:29). Many of the men worked full time jobs or went to school in addition to being members of the Guard and they were paid regular Army or Air Force wages for their time (20:40). The first state militia was formed in 1636 in New England, and the National Guard’s creed is read over historical sites and scenes including the North Bridge in Concord during the Revolutionary War (22:02), the militia fighting in Valley Forge (22:15), the scene of British surrender in Yorktown (22:28), the Argonne Forrest (23:06), the beaches of Okinawa (24:08), and the beaches of Normandy (24:19). Scenes of national disasters follow including the Texas City Disaster in 1947 (24:59). Back at the Ajax Missile site in Massachusetts, the men are informed the unidentified blip is a friendly craft whom had gone of course (26:41). Here all the men at the stations are told they may return to normal operations (26:51) and the film concludes as they return home.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@BigboiiTone]

I live in Alaska. We used to party out at the old silos when I was a kid. Take the guns and beer out there and have a great time. Great memories here

[@daleeasternbrat816]

Was this propaganda? Yep. Was it true. Yep. Did the people who watched it know it was a propaganda and recruitment film? Yep. Did everyone agree with it ? Almost. Did I enjoy this film? Hell yeah!

[@Drrayoldman]

Growing up in Alaska during the late 50s and 60s I and my father really enjoyed these programs. This was when we were taught to crawl under our desk during an atomic attack!

[@yikes5790]

I'm reminded of my father when I watched this old army big picture film about Nike Hercules sites my father was assigned to a Nike site W-26 guarding Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. At that time the U.S. Army was in control of all new sites built early 1950's my father was stationed in Germany. In 1956 he was assigned to a site off of Highway 50 outside of Annapolis, MD. we lived in military housing on a naval base near the site. My father retired in October 1964 that site was still there but was turned over to local national guard units because it was cost effective and they lived locally near the sites. Ironically I joined the U.S. army in September 1971 I was 17 years old and after basic training at Ft. DIX , NJ and advanced Individual training Ft. Belvoir . VA. engineer school. April 1972 assign to my first unit which just happened to be a Nike radar site Battalion HQ in Wackernheim , Germany. I was discharged September 1974 missed the comrade ship rejoined a year later never regret it now years later after being retired myself like my father.

[@arielfornari6595]

Nice story thanks for posting!

[@400heavy]

I spent 6 years as a Marine Reservist...best years of my life!

[@carenkurdjinian5413]

Didn’t know so much about America ... thank you for your educational information ..... let’s grab all the best and take it for future needs from every aspects of the life ... learn lessons and go forward for the best and peace ...... 🌞

[@Ruckweiler73]

Am an Army kid and used to watch those in the '50's and "60's with interest.

[@paulbradford6475]

Me too. Every Saturday morning at the crack of dawn I turned on the Black and White TV. First the test pattern. Then the national anthem. And then the Big Picture. Loved it. And of course after that it was cartoons and the Three Stooges.

[@arielfornari6595]

​@paulbradford6475 Yeah! The good ole' days you can't beat em'. And the test pattern with its 60 cycle tone was really cool too...hypnotizing sort of back in those good ole' days. 😊

[@jaygreider4753]

Is it just me or does anyone aggee? I was a radioman (morse code and voice ship to ship or ship to shore.} I NEVER said "Roger." It's either Over or Out. Interesting how this was a recriutment video. USS Forrestal, CVA-59). But a good watch. :)

[@mark9531]

Did they say; "Copy that Good Buddy. 10-4"?

[@jaygreider4753]

@@mark9531 Didnt catch that if they did.

[@mark9531]

@@jaygreider4753 I am joking. That is CB lingo. __________________ I was a pilot for an NSA Station and sometimes CIA pilot stateside in the early 70s. We always said "over" if we were waiting for a response or further instructions. i.e. "Shaw Airforce, this is Sharon 0064 Yankee...yada, yada, yada... Over" "Over" meant I was waiting for a response from Shaw. ____________ We said "roger" for yes, correct, will do, will comply, understood, done, completed, good bye, etc. i.e. Shaw would say; "Roger Sharon 0064 Yankee, contact tower now at 118.8." And I would say; "Roger, Sharon 0064 Yankee" ________________ I don't remember anyone ever saying "out"

[@mr.roboto7330]

@@mark9531 lmao I got the joke

[@headninjadog8120]

This would definitely make it on MST3K

[@aaaht3810]

"Ted, what about the screens and the touch-up on the porch?" "Sorry honey, I have to go shoot down a Tu-95! I'll be back in a jiffy!"

[@arielfornari6595]

An F-106 pilot? 😂

[@twistednixter9468]

The only reason that I hate these films is because when they're over, I'm suddenly, sickeningly reminded of just how far far away we drifted from all that over the last 60 years. How many of you people have EVER come home to a hand-written note that reads 'sorry, I love you, there's freshly baked apple pie waiting for you in the kitchen blah blah blah....' Yea, just fkn shoot me please.

[@blueduck9409]

The army pictorial center was in its zenith back in those days.

[@bboucharde]

I hope that Minuteman statue in Concord has not been knocked down yet by the Enemy Within.........

[@jameskoch7190]

I think it’s in Lexington.

[@bboucharde]

@@jameskoch7190 James, *NO.* The famous statue of the Minuteman is in Concord, MA. From Wikipedia: "The Minute Man is an 1874 sculpture by Daniel Chester French located in Minute Man National Historical Park in *Concord, Massachusetts.* It was created between 1871 and 1874 after extensive research, and originally intended to be made of stone. The medium was switched to bronze and it was cast from ten Civil War-era cannons appropriated by Congress." From the US National Park Service: www.nps.gov/mima/learn/historyculture/the-minute-man-statue-by-daniel-chester-french.htm "The Minute Man statue, by sculptor Daniel Chester French, is an American icon and has stood guard over this hallowed ground ever since. *It is set near the spot where the first colonial militia men were killed in Concord on that fateful day in 1775.* POINT: My comment is correct as originally posted. I am very careful with my comments on KZbin.

[@daleeasternbrat816]

Today, there are millions of that guy. That statue will not be knocked down.

[@paulbradford6475]

@@jameskoch7190 Concord

[@paulbradford6475]

It's a huge tourist attraction. The National Park Service supervises the park.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

That is on long moto good luck remembering that. “I can’t remember what to say I AM THE GUARD”

[@BigboiiTone]

I was there when the toilet paper ran out. I AM THE GUARD!

[@andrewsmactips]

Nike. A once great brand. Now all they make are shoes and tee shirts. ;)

[@paulbradford6475]

And Nike makes their products in China with genuine slave labor.😉

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Sad to see , as shown below how the public today lacks respect for those that service d in the past .

[@ShadeAKAhayate]

Respect is not given, it is *earned.* Committing a bunch of war crimes and crimes against humanity are _not_ the way respect is earned -- and it's been like this since the end of WW2. And yes, I don't have another public for you (almost © J. Stalin)

[@daleslover2771]

Watched this video very interesting to follow it, This video was on the Ajax, then Nike Hercules. I took training on the Hawk Missel system 16E20 , active for 4 years, then National guard 11 H 20. Tow everything that I seen was spot on. A little run threw, but what caught my attention is how the people lived their lives. Compared to what we see today... we lost our pride and respect for our nation..

[@bingobango4281]

It feels real… reminiscing about the time(s) you were blistering angry and forgot what or why you were even mad.

[@carenkurdjinian5413]

I am the guard of the minds of all ,to overcome the negativity ,fear ,sorrow ,wars ,not understanding ........to bring peace to the world ....I am the Guard ......🌞

[@johnacord5664]

I always thought all you had to do is open a can of beer.

[@legion1a]

The person that put the counter on the bottom of the screen will burn in Hell for all of eternity. I know that will make most viewers happy.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Here's the issue: Tens of thousands of films similar to this one have been lost forever -- destroyed -- and many others are at risk. Our company preserves these precious bits of history one film at a time. How do we afford to do that? By selling them as stock footage to documentary filmmakers and broadcasters. If we did not have a counter, we could not afford to post films like these online, and no films would be preserved. It's that simple. So we ask you to bear with the watermark and timecodes. In the past we tried many different systems including placing our timer at the bottom corner of our videos. What happened? Unscrupulous KZbin users downloaded our vids, blew them up so the timer was not visible, and re-posted them as their own content! We had to use content control to have the videos removed and shut down these channels. It's hard enough work preserving these films and posting them, without having to spend precious time dealing with policing thievery -- and not what we devoted ourselves to do. Love our channel and want to support what we do? You can help us save and post more orphaned films! Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Even a really tiny contribution can make a difference.

[@ftcentrepreneur]

Funny how even back then they tried to tell the people the national guard was now the militia. Nice try.

[@DanMan869]

The actor playing "Ted" (the narrator) is Don Hastings, the long-time star of the CBS daytime soap opera, "As The World Turns" (1956-2010) on which he played Dr. Bob Hughes from 1960 to 2010. I'm not sure what year this film is from, but there is nothing on his IMDB page about this film.

[@petercermak4095]

A clue is that one of the cars driven is a 1960 Chevy Impala. All the other cars are older.

[@paulbradford6475]

DanMan: That's great info. Judging by the autos, I think it was filmed around 1958-9 or so. The fatigues weren't changed over to subdued insignia until the mid to late sixties.

[@johnallen7807]

The youngster cleaning the car would need to lose a good few pounds before we was any good! lol

[@pilgrim....]

That's not fat. That's prime cannon fodder ; )

[@charlesklimko492]

At the 4:50 time-mark: The U.S. Flag, outside the Central Fire Station, has 48 stars.

[@phil20_20]

Saved by the Alarm!

[@rossbryan6102]

I WAS AMUSED BY THE WIFE OF THE MAIN STAR BEING UNHAPPY OVER HIS DEPLOYMENT!! WHEN I WAS IN THE RESERVES IN 1963/68 I WAS IN A NON COMBAT SUPPLY OUT FIT!! ONE NIGHT MY WIFE AND A NEIGHBOR LADY WATCHED THE BARRY SADLER GREEN BERET MOVIE!! MY WIFE WENT GOO -GOO OVER THE BERETS AND WANTED ME TO TRANSFER INTO THE BERET UNIT!! THE LAST DAMN THING I WANTED WAS BEING IN A COMBAT UNIT AND I REFUSED TO TRANSFER OVER!! SHE WAS PISSED BIG TIME!! A WEEK LATER SHE WANTED ME TO WEAR MY DRESS GREENS WHEN WE WENT TO MOVIES OR TO DINNER! NO DICE HERE EITHER!! LOL I OFTEN WONDER IF SHE FOUND A STOLEN VALOR BOY TOY TO FULFILL HER DREAMS!!!

[@friskyopossum7983]

Best part of being in the Guard is rounding up and quelling the locals.

[@georgeknight2676]

Excellent!

[@JohnFlud]

what is the name of the Adjutant General of Tennessee? I'm hearing impaired and it sounds like he is saying "chosen butler" I've tried googling things like the name of this film, wiki the Tennessee national guard, etc. and no luck. so maybe somebody here with good hearing can answer for me. thanks!

[@shanesteven4423]

Hilton butler

[@JohnFlud]

@@shanesteven4423 thanks!

[@carenkurdjinian5413]

If young will be joining the military for only do anything in the world to bring peace all over the planet. ......🌞

[@redhen2470]

Cool video. Now do one on the Bomarc missiles. Nothing better than shooting down nuclear missiles with nuclear missiles. What could go wrong?

[@rapman5363]

I’ve seen several videos on KZbin about the Bomarc missiles. The idea behind shooting down nuclear missiles with Nike was that the alternative would be incoming nuclear missiles hitting targets and releasing nuclear fallout. Hitting a nuclear missile in transit would not necessarily cause the nuclear bomb to go critical and release its nuclear payload. In theory it would explode in air and even if the nuclear bomb did explode its still and “air burst” and nuclear fallout would be extremely negligible. Whereas a land burst would cause severe fallout. The whole situation is based on risk/reward, the use of nuclear weapons were still thought to have mitigating situations where some in the military thought targeted and limited use of nukes were still better than all out nuclear war. The other side is that even low yield limited use of nukes would assuredly lead to all out nuclear war.

[@redhen2470]

@@rapman5363 As a Canadian, I was always concerned because we would have been on the receiving end of all the "successful" intercepts, lol.

[@mcqueenfanman]

Nice Ridgeway covers.

[@henrynenjamin3273]

The captain was calling for Roger he's the only one that didn't show up on time

[@charlesklimko492]

"Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?"

[@pilgrim....]

Sounds like they were there ; )

[@JamesBrown-ux9ds]

1:08 ff - und mit romantischer Musik, mit Motiven frei nach Richard Wagner, Lohengrin zum Beispiel. Europäische Weltmusik eben auch, überall willkommen und friedlich verbindend.

[@KeriRautenkranz]

Nike missiles.... Let's protect our country by detonating nuclear missiles over OUR OWN country! Oh, wait...

[@daleeasternbrat816]

The Nike system had a good many capabilities that were never publicized. A surface to surface mode and an ABM mode. Nike could be used beyond our borders as coastal artillery . Detonating nukes over the continental United States was the least desirable use of this system. Only to be done to prevent something even worse. Like a nuke hitting New York City. Nike batteries were deployed in some unusual and unexpected places.

[@pilgrim....]

Hard to imagine blowing a nuclear missile into pieces and having it rain down anywhere is the least damaging option. But they're the ones in white coats and glasses so it must be right ; )

[@theozank853]

Addendum for 2020: Place additional Guardsmen at locations where Gasoline and Toilet Paper are present to prevent hording of such material.

[@kurthugger9107]

What is the number and airdate for this episode and the offical title?

[@markwitte303]

the eskimos and palm trees

[@markwitte303]

this is prime materiel for an adults only or cool kids riff track.

[@johnmitchell4769]

I’d love to know where in Massachusetts that missile site is located .

[@gmills5763]

military.wikia.org/wiki/List_of_Nike_missile_sites See also nikemissile.org/

[@nancybarton5473]

Ft. Devins . Out by the Fair Grounds . ?

[@aaaht3810]

Looks like there were 12 Nike/Nike Hercules sites in MA.

[@rapman5363]

There were about a dozen Nike sites around Massachusetts. They were in a ring around the metro Boston area. I personally know of several : Wayland,Needham,Topsfield. Etc......they were all on hills and set up exactly the same. If you saw one you saw them all. The radar/ control was in a separate area than the actual missile site. They were all over the country and not just Massachusetts. I believe there is a very detailed web site that has quite a bit of info including each site by state. I’m sorry I don’t remember the site address but I’m sure you could google it and find it.. it’s very informative.

[@thomasmarrone7181]

In the Concord/Lexington area could have been Hanscom Field.

[@allenplante4402]

99 balloons

[@markwitte303]

dayum. i wish my house was still up after 300 years. the cemetary would be an option.

[@oldvet7547]

Ah yes. Nothing like. Supportive wife.

[@RoseSharon7777]

Showed up in my recommendations today. Huuuummmm....

[@pilgrim....]

Like someone reaching into a long forgotten vault 3 days ago, blew the dust off and sent it out. Which is great coz I'm already subbed up but haven't seen this one.

[@bingobango4281]

Yeah but the best way to win in combat games of sport is always not to get in to a fight.

[@followerofjulian1652]

What a load!

[@daleslover2771]

Haaaaaaa, 8:00 you know that you been trained for life, when you can still pull up your O.R E (organizational readiness alert) 44 years latter, BCC what's our status? Blazing skies!!! Alpha high power going to local! Rodger Alpha high power....go to Local Bravo high power going to local! Roger Bravo bravo hipar Icwar going to local! Roger Icwar go to local.. IROR is going to local! Roger IROR go to local. IPAR going to local! Roger P A R ROR going local. Rodger IROR. j Box what's your status??? G..Damed Delta's.... Forever 16 E 🤣🤣🤣

[@vladamijuskovic7684]

It's okay...for Vietnam....a first stick" from USA agents" goust"...a finger on leafing people... good form Serbia...