Which group comprised the primary civil service employees during World War II?

During World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WAFS) were a crucial component of civil service efforts related to aviation and military logistics. While they were not classified as traditional civil service employees, their significant contributions to the military aviation sector included ferrying aircraft, testing planes, and training male pilots. This represented a shift in the roles available to women during the war, expanding their participation in the workforce and demonstrating their capabilities in roles traditionally held by men.

The other groups mentioned did not primarily function as civil service employees in the same context. The Marine Corps and the Army National Guard were active military organizations responsible for direct combat and defense operations, whereas the Civil Air Patrol served as a volunteer organization that performed various missions, including search and rescue and coastal patrols. Therefore, while the WAFS played a pivotal role in civil service-related tasks during the war, the other groups focused primarily on military operations or volunteer support rather than civil service employment.