Inspired by this comment, specifically the bit about possibly shooting it out with military personnel in the event that they tried to take custody of nuclear weapons. I read the Wiki summary, but it didn't go into much depth on them
The ins and outs of nuclear device security has always been fairly tight lipped and procedures from even the very beginning of nuclear power and devices tend to stay classified, beyond harmless generalizations or feel good moments. Id be damned if you found something along the lines of "The officer on watch will ensure perimeter patrols occur at 30 minute intervals and shoot any meddling air force officers found" though if you do find it let me know... I have little snippets but I figure that since no one has touched this I can throw my two cents in.
Anecdotal, coming from a retired couple that work at Hanford for years. "Cowboys with guns and spooks". Granted, physical security wasn't the issue so much as espionage. Lots of interviews, document security was a huge issue, and a somewhat invasive security presence. They joked about communist hunts, but considering that places like LANL were like sieves to the Soviets...
From folks who worked at the Nevada test site, after AEC days, its similar but with more good ole boys and dysfunction. Todays focus is increasingly on cyber security.
Here's a little snippet from a railroad police historical website. Search "department of energy" using ctrl f. ( http://www.therailroadpolice.com/photos.htm)
Armaments? Training? If you look at old archival pictures you see a lot of .38 revolvers. Here is a list of qualifications and requirements for AEC guards, basically carry a handgun that is at least .38 cal, with rifles and shotguns as well as teargas launchers available. Training is nowhere as in depth as it is today... it was a 10 day course.Warning: Big Scary 8 page PDF If General Ripper from Dr. Strangelove or Curtis LeMay wanted some thermonuclear love, he could probably go and take it.
The document referenced in the article from the linked reddit page is here [Warning! Achtung! PDF!] ( https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=SS4-VNOwA42qyAS7qIGIBw&url=http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/operation_and_plans/NuclearChemicalBiologicalMatters/306.pdf&ved=0CCkQFjAGOAo&usg=AFQjCNGSSbFWxr-2oLDFop_QquYHK1ih0g)
I'd love to hear what the real experts here have to say; this is just an inarticulate dump of what I have heard and read. If I'm breaking any rules I'll pull this.
Have a good one!