Office of Strategic Services and the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers

Before there was the CIA, there was the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).  With the onset of World War II, the OSS's secret operations—espionage, counter-intelligence, disinformation, and guerrilla leadership—expanded. The places where they trained for their dangerous mission are now national parks. (https://www.nps.gov/articles/series.htm?id=16D749F1-1DD8-B71B-0B65F7F40FA87A5E)

At Camp X, near Whitby, Ontario, an "assassination and elimination" training program was operated by the British Special Operations Executive, assigning exceptional masters in the art of knife-wielding combat, such as William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, to instruct trainees. Many members of the Office of Strategic Services also were trained there. It was dubbed "the school of mayhem and murder" by George Hunter White who trained at the facility in the 1940's.

Prince William Forest Park in Virginia was once a training ground for spies (https://www.historynet.com/this-ordinary-virginia-park-was-once-a-training-ground-for-spies/)

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) (https://arsof-history.org/oss/index.html)

Following the conclusion of World War II, the OSS was disbanded and re-formed as the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947. The US military had previously established a relationship during World War II with the US Forest Service (USFS). US Army paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions participated in an exchange program with the smokejumpers — an elite firefighting force that parachutes from planes into isolated areas to fight forest fires. Instead of training airborne paratroopers as the military did before, the CIA contracted smokejumpers who already had all the necessary knowledge in terrain, reconnaissance, weather, and a variety of other critically important skills. Smokejumpers go through their own selection course to get to their units; the CIA could choose from the very best in their ranks.

 

There is no direct connection between OSS training and the Pacific Northwest region. The OSS was a secret intelligence agency during World War II, and its training facilities were primarily located in the eastern United States, such as Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland and Prince William Forest Park in Virginia. However, in British Columbia (BC) there was the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers (PCMR) - British Columbia’s Own Home Guard (https://navalandmilitarymuseum.org/archives/articles/defending-the-coast/pacific-coast-militia-rangers/)

After the attack at Pearl Harbor and declaration of war against Japan, patrols of BC’s rugged country appeared to be a necessity, one that could not be carried out by local militia forces, who were deemed more suited to populated areas.

Experienced men such as loggers, trappers, prospectors and ranchers were sought for this distinctive role. These men had knowledge of the local topography and terrain. Those who were close to populated centers were trained and employed at a local Ranger Training Camp in intelligence duties and local defense against minor raids. They were also instructed in tactical situations that included observation, especially coast watching against the possible Japanese invasion, anti-sabotage measures and protection of lines of communication and transportation.

As these newly formed companies of PCMR were so geographically spread out, many could not attend a training camp. Those who did attend were also trained in methods of instruction. This enabled them to pass on information to their own personnel upon their return.

Training continued to be an issue and so it was determined that a training publication would have to be created in order to meet the needs of this widely dispersed force. “The Ranger“, as it came to be known, was issued on September 1, 1942 and was filled with useful information that every well-rounded Ranger should know, such as: “Know where to shoot“, “Edible plants of BC“, “Dig or Die“, and “What can you do with a tarp?“.  Age was not necessarily a consideration in the enlistment of these rugged men.

It was observed that, “young lads . . . in outlying areas were extremely valuable. Boys of 15 years and up proved to be good shots, could handle an axe, and were valuable as guides to city bred men.” Even those considered to be too old to join the war effort were able to contribute to the protection of BC. (https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/organization/specialforces/pcmr.htm)

Today the legacy of the PCMR can be found in the Canadian Rangers, a sub-component of the Canadian Army Reserve who live and work in remote, isolated, and coastal regions of Canada. They provide light-equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support Canadian Armed Forces national security and public safety operations within Canada. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Rangers)