1943: Military Establishes Training Program On Rikers

Though they are “stripped of honor and privileges of free citizens in their own land” and not eligible to enlist, officials begin preparing for an attack on U.S. soil by recruiting detainees for “Company A.” This includes regular air raid drills in collaboration with the Department of Defense and the development of emergency squads made up of incarcerated first responders. Once men on parole become eligible to serve, the local draft board sets up an office on Rikers to reclassify those released. Several alumni from the program go on to serve in the American and Canadian armed forces.