RETIREMENT CEREMONIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001400120047-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 12, 2006
• Sequence Number: 47
• Publication Date: July 20, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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2 0 J U L 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director-Comptroller D D /
SUBJECT : Retirement Ceremonies
1. Several weeks ago you asked me to give some thought to a sugges-
tion that the Agency have some kind of formal ceremony for retiring em-
ployees in order to give proper recognition to this important milestone in
their lives and also to impress upon them our appreciation for their con-
tributions and our interest in their activities after they leave us. In con-
sidering this, I have reviewed present practices through the Agency for
honoring retiring employees, and I have sought the views of the Director
of Personnel and a number of representatives from other components.
2. Under our present system, DD/P does have a formal ceremony
for each retiring employee. The ceremony is held in the office of the DD/P
or the responsible Area Division or Staff Chief, depending on the individual
being honored, and is attended by a small group of senior officials appro-
priate to the occasion. It consists of presenting the employee with his re-
tirement certificate and other mementos, reading the Director's letter to
him, and suitable remarks from those present. This system is monitored
by the Clandestine Services Personnel Division to assure that an appropriate
ceremony is arranged for every retiree, except the infrequent one who is
simply not available for this purpose.
3. In contrast, the other Directorates and the DCI's staff follow a
less formal approach to retirement ceremonies. Characteristically, their
retiring employees are honored at special luncheons or evening functions
outside the building, or at special affairs in the building, arranged by
their immediate Office or Career Service and attended by the employee's
family and sizeable numbers of his CIA friends and work associates. At
each affair an appropriate ceremony is held for the presentation of awards
and gifts to the retiree and for brief remarks from those in charge. While
this system is not as tightly monitored as that of the DD/P, I am assured
that no employee is overlooked and that a suitable affair is arranged in
every case unless the employee prefers it otherwise. In the latter instance,
a small ceremony is held in the office of the responsible Career Service
Head or a senior subordinate to present the retirement certificate and the
Director's letter and to evidence appreciation for the individual's service
to the Agency.
N10R1/`CF FaI: 1 tlir
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4. In both situations there is a strong desire, apparently, to preserve
our present methods for honoring retirees. DD/P has considered in-
cluding social affairs as a part of its system and on selected occasions
has done so. However, it feels that formal ceremonies best serve its
needs. In addition to satisfying cover and security considerations, such
ceremonies assure equitable treatment for all employees- -especially
those returning from long service overseas who have few close ties at
headquarters. Other Directorates are equally convinced that their present
practices are best. They believe that the spontaneity and fellowship im-
plicit in retirement parties add a highly desirable touch to such occasions
and are quite meaningful to the retirees being honored.
5. In time, both these methods will necessarily be influenced by the
increasing numbers of employees who will be retiring. Ceremonies and
parties for individual retirees will very probably give way to group af-
fairs--a trend already in evidence. Whatever the method, however, the
important point, it seems to me, is to assure that every employee is In-
cluded and receives appropriate recognition. f"1 believe our present system
now provides this and I therefore favor its continuation, with the under-
standing that the Director of Personnel and others will remain on top of
the situation to see that no individual is lost sight of as he or she approaches
this most significant point in his or her Agency service.
R. L. Bannerman
Deputy Director
for Support
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4. In both sittugous there is a strong desire, app >at y, to prewrv
pees" m for honoring rues. DD/p has co riexvd in-
sock affairs as a part of Its system and on selected occasions
so. Howevar. It feels that formal cer onIes best serve ks
cover and aurr Consklex-ations, such
aat e> for all employees- -especially
;e wwoeaas who have few close des at
es are eaualy convinced that their re n
5 .
a me, is to acre t
eluftd and rues appropriate recaguitim. I
ProrWeaa tl and l . . orct favor its cc t won,
that the a or of PtwsonwJ and +e hers will remain on top
the altuation to ante that no InOvidwd Is lost of as he or she a oaches
this most slgn cast jai in his or her Agewy
yy~~ SIGNED R. f. Binerm"
It r L. Sans= as
y fluter
for support
Distribution:
Orig - Arise
i - ER.
DD/S Subject w/background (DD./S 66-2078)
1 - DD/S Cirrono
AEO-DD/S:WFV:ews (15 July 66)
CCQI
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