PROJECT USEFUL NO. 3 SCHEDULE 15 - 26 OCTOBER 1956

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04309A000100040013-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: October 25, 1956
• Content Type: AG

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STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Approved For Release 2002/01/29: CIA-RDP7 -004309A000100040013-8
Office Meiorandum e UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DATE, h November 1956
TO , Chief, Operations School
FROM Chief Instructor,
War Planning Course
suBJECT: Final Report - Project USEFUL
Iauither 3
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1. Project USEFUL .idu,iber 3 was conducted in Room 153, Building
between 15 October and 26 October 1956. It was attended by
thirty-nine senior military officers.
2. The mission of this briefing, to provide selected military
officers with an orientation of the capabilities and limitations of
CIA to support military operations in wartime, was accomplished fully
according to the critiques submitted by these officers on the last
day of the briefing. The entire group was quite pleased with what
they heard and felt that CIA had given them a very frank and forth-
right picture of its capabilities to support them in wartime. This is
a marked improvement over previous USEFUL Projects when the criticism
was leveled at the Agency that our presentations gave the impression
of a "negative" or "defeatist" attitude. Much of the credit for this
change in attitude on the part of those-briefing the Military goes to
the Chief, PPC/DDP, who personally saw to it that the DDP presented
their material in a more positive manner.
3. The course content, on the whole quite good, deserves some
comment concerning specific areas of weakness which should be bolstered
before the next offering of this project.
a. The inclusion of DDP Area Divisions in the schedule was
a definite step in the rizit~t u_irection. The criticism of this
portion of the briefing concerned the material presented by each
and the manner of presentation. The lead-off by the FE Division
was excellent. If all presentations could have been of this
calibre and content the entire briefing would have been a tre-
mendous success. This divisiui really laid it on the line"
and this type of approach is exactly tailored for the military.
The SE and EE Divisions presented the next best picture as far
as specifics were concerned and in line with the mission to show
our ability to support the military in wartime. The presentations
by WE, SR and NEA were, by and large, too generalized to give
these officers any picture of our capabilities. It is understood
that SR Division was at a disadvantage and that NEA has a peculiar
problem in the CINCNELM area, ttl-he 3.dE Division held back much
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more information than was given by the Chief, WE, in the previous
USEFUL Project. It is felt that future briefings may be able to
overcome these deficiencies with coordination between the Area
Divisions of DDP and PPC and, perhaps, an even greater understanding
of the mission of the USEFUL Project.
b. The next subject to receive the most criticism was the
FI presentation. The officers did not criticize the lecturer or
what he said, but how much was left unsaid.. Military personnel
in this group represented a wider range of interests than
heretofore. Many of this group were concerned, primarily, in the
field of clandestine intelligence collection or planning such
collection. They felt that much more could have been said
concerning the role of FI in support of military operations in
wartime.
c. The remainder of the course content was acceptable as
given with some constructive suggestions made for tightening
presentations, cutting out "the fat" in the material and a very
definite suggestion by all concerned to cut down on the number of
organizational charts presented. The mem felt that they were
"organized and charted" to death. Such suggestions and criticisms
as presented on the remainder of the course can be handled between
the Chief Instructor and the persons concerned without too much
effort.
4+. One suggestion affecting not only the course content, but the
entire course, deserves comment. In the oral critique on the final day
it was suggested that the entire course be tightened and reduced to five
or six days following which the officers would meet in symposiums with
various areas of interest. For example, if the entire presentation
could be made in six days, officers from headquarters in Europe could
then meet with the personnel in the European Branch, War Plans Division,
PPC, and war planners from WE, SE, EE and SR Divisions of DDP. The
purpose, according to the officers, would not be to delve or pry deeper
into Agency operations in these areas, but to discuss mutual problems
and attempt to receive a better understanding of the problems faced by
the Area Divisions in that particular war planning area. It appears
that these officers are suggesting something quite similar to the
practice now being followed by the CIA war planners upon their return for
the annual War Planner's Conference. A similar practice was followed by
the Army during their World-Wide Guerrilla Warfare Conference at Fort
Bragg in 1956. This matter was mentioned informally to the Chief, PPC,
on the last day of USEFUL. If it appears worthwhile, it should be
,
it shoul
explored further by the DDP.
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5. The administration of the course appeared quite acceptable
to all concerned. In fact, 0`i'R has every reason to be proud of the
manner in which these officers were handled while here. The following
is a quotation from one officer's critique and when read in the light of
the usual superb administration of most service schools, it speaks well
of the OTR personnel: I have never been so well received and looked
after before. I think a pat on the back is due your staff for the
excellent services we have received." The girls handling the admin-
istration deserve every bit of this praise.
a. One factor in the course administration deserves comment.
It became evident, as the briefing progressed, that many of the
officers were inadequately briefed by their headquarters as to their
purpose here. Direct questioning by the Chief Instructor confirmed
this fact. It has been decided between the Chief Instructor and
the military officer from the Joint Chiefs of Staff who handled
the invitations that future briefings can overcome this deficiency
in the following manner. As each service recommends an officer,
that officer will receive a communication DIRECT from JCS in which
the purpose of this briefing will be stated. He may then refer
this to his superior and determine if that command wishes to send
him in light of this official, stated purpose. It was felt that
some of these officers only bordered on the "need-to-know" and this
fault was due to the command structure failing to get the word down
to the officer concerned.. This was especially true in the case of
the Air Force.
b. The administration of the course was helped to a great
degree by the smooth and efficient manner in which the Office of
Security assisted in the clearance and processing of these officers.
A separate letter of commendation for the work done by two individuals
in the Office of Security is being forwarded soon.
6. In summary, this presentation of Project USEFUL was the most
successful to date in that the military officers left the Agency with a
better understanding of our capabilities and limitations, but beyond that,
a feeling that the Central Intelligence Agency was really putting forth
an effort to support US military operations in wartime. It is felt that
the benefits accruing to the Agency have been greatly enhanced by the
positive manner adopted by the guest lecturers in the briefing. If all
DDP Area Divisions and the FI Staff will realize the great good that will
result from such forthright presentations, this Agency will enjoy better
and better relations with the Military Services from the efforts of
Project USEFUL.
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