REPRESENTATIVE STUDENT COMMENTS ON THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS FAMILIARIZATION COURSE FOR DD/S&T

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04497A000100110011-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 6, 2001
• Sequence Number: 11
• Content Type: MISC

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E$ZNTMiYE STUDENT COMMENTS ON THE SPECIAL
LIARIZATION COURSE FOR DD/OBIT
OPERATIONS I
was most impressed with the superlative job turned
In by Everything was beautifully arranged,
and carriedout with dedication to his job and with a
friendly, personable approach to the members of the class.
The program content, incidentally, was thoughtfully Chosen,
and I believe the guest speakers were the finest collection
possible.
....The subject course was easily the most interesting and
best managed course I have attended since joining CIA. It
was apparent that the speakers, particularly those in the
Soviet and counter intelligence areas, had many years of
valuable experience in the field and were well qualified to
discuss covert operations. Their summaries of operations
in which they were personally involved were particularly
interesting and enlightening,
....The informal sessions with the speakers during coffee
breaks and after class were quite beneficial for exploring
certain points that were too specific for general class
discussion.
....Thin was probably the most interesting course I have
attended since coming into the Agency. After seventeen
years with the Agency, I feel that I finally know some-
thing about the DDP side of the house. This is the kind
Of course that new employees would also find very profitable.
.The course was absolutely superb in every respect. The
presentations were by the "first team" and were designed to
portray both the capabilities and the problems of the clan-
destine services in meeting DDS6T collection requirements.
Discussions were open and frank with no attempt at either
whitewashing or gilding the lily. I was immensely imprem-
sod by the professionalism of the DDP as reflected by the
speakers, particularly on the Soviet side of the house.
....Attendance should be a must for all DDS&T professional
employee* who have not been exposed to a course in DDP
capabilities and limitations in the collection of scientific
and technical intelligence.
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....The course was conducted very well and the arrange-
ments were all carefully set up. There was the right
balance of informality and attention to business. The
course achieved the planned objectives in my view. Not
only were matters of methods philosophy and operational
constraints covered, but sufficient detail was given of
agent handling, comma methods, Soviet and Chicom activi-
ties so that a most useful picture evolved of CS opera-
tions for a person such as myself who is based in ORD.
....In general the course was divided into two parts.
The first part of the week was devoted to basic clandes-
tine activities. This was useful for introducing concepts
which were reinforced during the more operational aspects
of the second part of the course. The brief period of
time allotted to each speaker forced him in many cases to
cover only the general concepts of his subject; however,
he was always available at a coffee break or after the
lecture to discus individual or group problems. The
operational aspects mentioned above included case histories
and collection problems which were directly related to S&T
intelligence problems. The outstanding feature of this
part of the program was that the case officers, who were
directly involved in these cases, gave the presentations
and added their personal experiences to the documented
evidence. It is difficult to commend particular speakers
since the majority were outstanding, but the two lecturers
which stood out were who discussed counter
intelligence and who discussed Soviet intel-
ligence services.
.. . .In general,the course accomplished its purpose as
outlined. It was extremely interesting and well presented.
who was in charge of the course, shared his
Of experience and knowledge of DDP activities to
questions from our group during informal evening
one, This course appeared to be one of the initial
steps to bridging the gap between the clandestine services
and DDS&T. This better understanding of DOP's capabilities
and problems should enable the analyst to write more: mean-
ingful requirements in order to facilitate the collection
effort.
....The primary purpose of this special orientation course
was to acquaint S&T personnel with the history and struc-
ture, problems and views of the DDP. The course succeeded
in its purpose. Theaession speakers were without exception,
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outstanding. The topics the speakers addressed themselves
to were well selected and the material presented was in-
teresting and consiotently revealing. The unaffected
prevailing atmosphere, the surroundings, and the informal
get-togethers during and after the sessions were conducive
SM essential to the fulfillment of the course objectives.
....The benefit derived from the course is an overall but
fairly comprehensive summary of both clandestine activities
and their mechanisms of operation. This knowledge is
particularly useful in the formulation of requirements
which are practical and thereby stand a good chance of
fulfillment.
....I feel that the subject course was quite worthwhile.
It gave an insight into the manifold problems that DDP
faces in gathering information. This lesson will be re-
membered when writing requirements on DDP. I would recom-
mend that the course be continued so that each DD085T
analyst be given the opportunity to attend.
....The subject course was excellent, particularly in the
scope, content, organization and presentation of the sub-
ject material. Having had little knowledge of the clan-
destine operations aspects of intelligence collection,
this course at the very least has provided insight as to
the real problems involved in clandestine 844' intelligence
collection which will be valuable for future requirements
preparation and analysis.
....The surroundings and atmosphere in
was conducted and the person
tors, particularly that with
to continued discussion and ncreaee
hich the course
Ii the instruc-
were conducive
crest in the
subject. I recommend that the course be continued.
....Well organized, expertly handled by an
class members felt we were hearing the irst Team.
presentation was extremely interesting,
entertaining, and provocative.
....Opeakers commanded complete attention of audience for
entire course. Informal surroundings were conducive to
valuable interchanges between the students and the teachers
and among the students.
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speakers were of unusually high quality but most
outstanding e:
- Case Histories, Clandestine
Communications
-- Counter Intelligence
-- Soviet Services
Chief Instructor, merits
comag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!zation of the course, his
procurement of extremely well qualified speakers for
presentation of the material, and for those talks he
presented himself in a most capable manner. The smooth
operation of the course shows the careful preparation by
the high level of interest throughout shown
c shows its appreciation both for the effort
bymill and the material presented so capably by
the various speakers.
....Wtth so many capable men talking, it is difficult to
nce. Two --
gave presentations
pointsthe course, both from the sub-
stantive nature of the material presented and the under-
tending of operations provided.
....This most informative course gave no a good understanding
of theroblems involved in clandestine operations. Mr.
is to be commended for his excellent handling of
tii
course and for his selection of guest speakers who
were outstanding. I was particularly impressed by the
counter intelligence presentation. I highly recommend
this course be continued, and that every professional
involved in any way with requirements be given the
opportunity to attend.
....The course was well organized and was extremely in-
teresting and enlightening to me. The last three days,
which covered specific examples of clandestine activities
were more interesting than the first two days, which
covered more broadly some rules of "tradecraft."
4 0 ?
....The excellent manner in which the course was planned
and presented reflected the considerable competence of
as an instructor.
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.? . . This is a no of appreciation for the outstanding
course given for DOM by OTR. In particular, the fine
organization and informal presentation by the fine case
officers available made the course a very worthwhil
exposure to effective intelligence activity. 25X1 A9a
was especially effective in introducing and conducting
the course.
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