How did the Cold War bring about reforms in the U.S. military and intelligence establishments in the 1940s and 1950s?

As tensions mounted between America and the USSR in the 1940s and 1950s, the Cold War brought about tremendous reforms in US military and intelligence establishments, as each nation raced to secure its position as the superpower of the world. While World War II was raging during the 1940s, America poured time and energy into securing its defense at home and abroad. At the forefront of military advancements was the Manhattan Project, in which scientists worked relentlessly to create an atomic bomb as a deterrent to enemy threats. Also, the US sought to form military strength in Europe with its allies by forming the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949.
The military also made great strides in improvements for airplane engines, wings, radar systems, sonar systems, ship design, submarines, tanks, and automatic weapons during the Cold War. As many military personnel and politicians viewed air power as one of the predominant advantages in modern warfare, the Air Force Academy was established in 1954. Additionally, the impetus to secure strong intelligence on America's enemies pushed American politicians to create the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947 and the National Security Agency in 1952. Clandestine activity increased tremendously, as America placed personnel around the globe in positions to spy upon its enemies. The race to space began in this same decade as both America and the USS.R. competed to place satellites and reconnaissance abilities in space.
In regards to policy and theory, America also gained a more aggressive, offensive position regarding global defense and protection during the Cold War, as the US maintained the position that Communism must be defeated and contained around the world. America's military involvement in the Korean War from 1951–1953 illustrated this political and military stance clearly. The Cold War clearly influenced American institutions, which led to tremendous advancements in military and intelligence fields.