WEEKLY ACTIVITIES REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00442A000200040127-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 18, 2009
• Sequence Number: 127
• Publication Date: April 29, 1959
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP61-00442A000200040127-5
Office Memorandum -UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Chief, Language and Area School DATE: 29 April 1959
FROM : Deputy Chief, Area Training
SUBJECT: Weekly Activities Report
A. SIGNIFICANT ITEMS
None
B. OTHER ACTIVITIES
1. I am delighted at your concurrence in my recommendation
that we include area training in the career plan which we
intend to submit to DTR for proposal to DDP. My con-
viction has been growing that we must press soon for an
official policy on area training; the PEA group has been
almost unanimously in support of specific area training
as a complement to the new course on principles of per-
sonal effectiveness overseas; and I consider that it will
be far more practical to sell a single "package" to DDP
than to make separate approaches.
In working out the area training portions of our plan, I
will consider inclusion of the following proposals: an
appropriate form of area training every three or four
years, and particularly within one year prior to assign-
ment overseas, for all DDP professional personnel con-
cerned with a specific country or region, in order to
deepen the understanding of their area; and an objective-
type comprehensive test on a specific area, to be taken
voluntarily or at the request of one's supervisor, as a
check on one's knowledge of data on the area. With only
a very modest increase in our present staff, we would
have the capability to provide global coverage at the
Regional Study and Senior Area Seminar levels. By draw-
ing on DDI and DDP personnel for help, we could complete
a few tests at a time. The tests, by the way, would be
of considerable help in determining the level, direction,
and amount of area training needed. A university program,
or an internal study course or seminar, or merely directed
readings, might be indicated.
25 YEAR
RE-REVIE'Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP61-00442A000200040127-5
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP61-00442A000200040127-5
2. RS - East Asia: A Comparative Analysis completed the first
unit on the relation of geography to national policy on 27
April. Subject matter for the four class periods was pre-
sented by three area specialists from ORR, Geography Division.
On 24+ April seven visitors from ORR geographical and carto-
graphy sections attended the course, and $ve were again
present on 27 April. Several of these visitors informed
that the regional treatment given in the course was
useful to specialists from ORR sections either as refresher
opportunities or for a comparison of their special area with
the region of East Asia.
Class members appear to be responding well to demands made
on them for study. Three absentees from the first unit are
expected to be present upon completion of their final week
of training elsewhere in the OTR program.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/18: CIA-RDP61-00442A000200040127-5