National Security Resources Board

The National Security Resources Board (NSRB) was a United States government agency established by the National Security Act of 1947. Its primary purpose was to advise the President on mobilizing natural resources, manpower, and the scientific community to meet the demands of the Department of Defense during times of war.

Origins and Purpose

The creation of the NSRB was part of a broader reorganization of the U.S. military and national security apparatus under the National Security Act of 1947. This act also established the National Security Council, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the United States Air Force, all of which played crucial roles in the Cold War era.

The NSRB was tasked with:

• Evaluating the relationship between the potential supplies of, and requirements for, manpower, resources, and productive facilities in wartime.
• Establishing policies for maintaining adequate reserves of strategic and critical materials.
• Planning for the strategic relocation of industries, services, and government activities essential to national security.
• Advising on the continuous operation of critical economic activities.

Structure

The board was composed of eight members, including a chairman. The first chairman was businessman Arthur M. Hill, who played a vital role in the board's early operations. The chairman of the NSRB also served ex officio as one of the seven permanent members of the National Security Council, reinforcing the board's integral position within the national security framework.

Impact and Legacy

During its operational years, the NSRB produced significant documentation and strategic plans, including a notable 162-page civil defense document in 1950. This was part of a larger effort to prepare the nation for potential conflicts in the tense atmosphere of the Cold War.

The NSRB's influence waned as the U.S. defense and intelligence apparatus expanded and evolved. It was eventually dissolved, but its concept and structure laid the groundwork for future national security resource planning and coordination.

Related Topics

• Harry S. Truman, under whose presidency the NSRB was established.
• Civil Defense, a concept expanded upon by the NSRB during its existence.
• Monrad Wallgren, who was nominated to be the chairman but never served.
• United States Armed Forces, which the NSRB supported through resource planning.
• Strategic Materials, a focus area for the board's planning efforts.

This integration of various agencies and strategic planning initiatives underlines the extensive reformation of the U.S. national security and defense strategies during the mid-20th century.