(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-06365A000600050025-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 21, 2000
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: June 20, 1966
• Content Type: MEMO

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20 June 1966
1. Why Histories?
The DD/P, with considerable foresight, has initiated a
comprehensive program for writing histories of the various
components of the Clandestine Services and their respective
operations and activities. This program has been under way
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for a year and a half, and historical contributions of inter- O
est and value are being received at a gratifying rate.
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Historical programs are equally important for the other A U
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Directorates. They should produce systematic records of theirs
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organizations, operations, activities, procedures, successes v~
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and failures; of the concepts leading to the formation of t 9
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their various components, policy decisions laid down for thei atc_
guidance, and the various authorities and agreements und
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which they have conducted their activities. Such a systematics
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record of the past; is basic to enlightened planning for the
future.
2. Who will use them?
Historical papers will provide:
a. A documented record of previous programs, activi-
ties, and experiences (together with appropriate conclu-
sions) as background for those engaged in operational,
organizational and policy planning.
b. A helpful summary for the orientation of new
office, division, or branch chiefs and other key officers.
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c. A ready backstop for senior officers in testing
their opinions and judgments of new demands and changing
programs.
d. An historical frame of reference for initiating
new activities and resolving difficult problems.
e. A source of background material as required by
senior Agency management.
f. An aid to training.
g. Contributions to "Studies in Intelligence."
3. How Will the Historical Program be Organized?
a. Historical Staff
The Historical Staff is part of the Office of the
Director of Central Intelligence. A project has been
approved for this staff providing a minimum of personnel
to encourage and assist in historical programs for the
DD/I, DD/S&T, and DD/S. The Project Manager will be re-
sponsible for organizing these programs and to this end
will work closely with the Historical Boards and Historical
Officers proposed below.
b. Historical Boards
Historical Boards should be established under the
jurisdiction of the Deputy Directors for Intelligence,
Science and Technology, and Support to set the terms of
reference for the several historical programs, determine
what histories are to be written, and provide continuing
guidance and review in the preparation of histories.
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c. Historical Officers
Each major component of the three directorates should
designate a senior officer as Historical Officer who will
be responsible for coordinating historical matters within
his component and will be the point of contact for the
Project Manager.
4. Who will write the Histories?
In general it would be impractical to ask staff officers to
write lengthy chronological histories of major components in
addition to their other duties. However, they could well be
assigned to writing short monographs or special papers on sub-
jects with which they are intimately acquainted. The problem
of long hisotries can be attacked in two other ways.
a. Each major component in a Deputy Directorate
should identify capable staff employees who intend to
retire within 6 - 12 months (this should be projected
over a four year period). In many cases such staff
employees can be relieved of regular duties and assigned
to writing historical papers.
b. Each major component could contract with annui-
tants to write historical papers - whereas ceilings are
tight, there are usually sufficient funds for such a pur-
pose, although the number of contracts should be held to
a minimum.
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5. What Should be Included in the Histories?
A history should state not only what was done, but how and
why it was done. Normally the various facets of subject matter
should be woven into a chronological narrative.
Using evidence in context, honest conclusions can be drawn
regarding the extent of success and failure and the reasons there-
for. But the factual narrative should not be interlarded with
editorializing, and personal opinion should not be substituted
for objective exposition.
Every writer has to use his own style, but unity in writing,
a singleness of effect, and a well-proportioned product are pro-
moted by outlining in advance and by keeping the presentation
chronological. Good judgment is required as to the relative
importance of material and corresponding emphases in presentation.
Some of the topics that should be included in an historical
paper are:
a. Mission: How was the initial mission or function
of a component determined? What changes have there been
over the years? Were these changes due to experience,
policy guidance, changing world conditions, addition of
new functions? Under what authorities and, agreements was
the initial mission assigned and what authorities and agree-
ments controlled later change and redirection of effort.
b. Organization: Original organization. Changes in
organizational structure: due to experience, increased re-
quirements, change in scope of mission, budgetary or man-
power limitations?
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c. Relationships: with other agency components,
USI.B agencies;, other government departments and agencies,
foreign governments, etc.
d. Problems & Methods: Over the years what problems
have arisen and what methods have been used to resolve them?
How was administration and management improved, or what new
methods were adopted to cope with broadening activities and
increasing work load?
In addition to the narrative chronological history many com-
ponents will produce monographs dealing with special activities
or operations, committees they have chaired or on which they have
been represented, etc. Monographs are suggested so that the
logical flow of the narrative will not be interrupted by lengthy
dissertations on specific, and often unusual activities.
Documents may often provide insufficient material. If so,
it will be necessary to debrief knowledgeable individuals.
6. What Classification and Dissemination?
Each major component will determine the classification of
its own historical papers. When possible, classification should
be no higher than secret.
One copy of each historical paper will be deposited in the'
office of the appropriate Deputy Director and included in the
catalog of the Deputy Director's histories. The master copy will
be retained in the office of origin. Any further dissemination
will be determined by the office of origin.
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