The years I served were the scariest overall. At least to me tho standing on ground zero will do that. First there was the end of Carter's tenure, when NATO was conventionally weakest and the Soviets actually had an edge on us. Then there was the beginning of Reagan's build up, actually started by Carter who had finally figured out he'd been deceived, when the Soviets had to be thinking it was now or never. At least to put down NATO. I was involved in the Op that brought in Pershing-ll and GLCMs to NATO, replacing many of the gravity bombs. The Reds were scared shirt less of these, most of all the cruise missiles, and they had their "better red then dead' "useful fools" running point for them in England and Europe. As well as a lot of citizens who were just plain scared.
At the time the Soviets had no viable defense against SLCMs. "They" and the 600 ship USN, terrified them. That system alone probably brought the Cold War to an end more then any other and strengthened Arms Control.
Other systems were coming on-Line then as well. Or were being upgraded. Ohio class, Trident-ll, MX, Minuteman-lll, ALCM, Tomahawk, LA Class, B1b, Star Wars, Stealth, Air Laser, and many conventional systems the Reds couldn't hope to match capability-wise. As the window was closing they had to be tempted. Many had to think there was no way we'd escalate if they rolled into west Europe with their tanks. Im glad the prudent were listened to cause we most surely would have. There was a great book written at the time called "The Third World War" by a brilliant Brit General named Sir James Hackett. If you ever get the chance its a great read.
