PROPOSAL FOR A NEW INITIATIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01370R000200220001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 26, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/12/12 : CIA-RDP90B01370R000200220001-5
Director, Office of Legislative Liaison
-Attached is fro
I DDI officeiSTAT
m
assigned here on rotation.
-Her guess is that the returns from such
an effort would be positive (otherwise she
would not suggest doing it) and upbeat.
-The corollary idea of 1/2 decade or
decade reunions has some appeal.
STAT
Charles A. Briggs
Distribution:
Original - Addressee w/att.
D/OLL chrono
- DD/OLL
1 - C/Liaison Div/OLL
1 - OLL Subject
1 - OLL Chrono w/o att.
D/OLL:CAB:mlg (28 December 1984)
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MEMORANDUM FOR: D/OLL
SUBJECT: Proposal for a "New Initiative"
1. In September 1966 I was among 75 new recruits who embarked on
the year-long Career Trainee (CT) program. Today, 39 of these 75 CTs
remain at CIA (according to Office of-Personnel statistics) and are now
in their 19th year of service. Half are with the DO. Of the 36 who resigned
over the years, only nine departed in the last decade (1974-84). The
greatest exodus occurred during the first five years of employment.
Considering everything, I think this retention rate is rather good.
2. As the twentieth anniversary of my CT class approaches, I think
it would be interesting and instructive, to conduct an opinion poll of
those remaining. Hopefully, the findings would be substantial enough to
be reported in an article in Studies in Intelligence. If not, the project
might be expanded to include t o g of other CT classes of 1966.
3. The Agency does not do much to encourage comraderie and sustained
-intramural communication among employees. Why not touch base with
CT alumni at their fifth, tenth and twentieth anniversaries to see how
they are doing and what they think of the Agency and their careers?
The results could be shared in a one-day seminar. Such an endeavor
might contribute to a renewed sense of purpose and worth among mid-
career employees. It should also give senior management valuable
insight into personnel and policy matters.
4. The following is my attempt to devise a questionnaire that I
would propose sending to the members of the class of 1966. This project
would, of course, require top-level endoresement.
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-2-
I. THE INTRODUCTORY PHASE: 1966-70
A. The CT Program
For most of the 75 members of the September-1966 class, the CT program
was also an introduction to CIA. Classroom instruction and interim desk
assignments lasted a year or more. In retrospect, what do you think of
that investment of time? Did it provide a good start to your Agency
career? Did it turn your professional life in a direction you never
expected to go?
B. Early Assignements
CTs had little choice in first assignments.. Some were immediately
absorbed in the SouthEast Asian conflict. What was your first "real"
job? Was it what you wanted to do? What., if any, impact did the Vietnam
war have on your early assignments and/or your attitude toward the
Agency? Did you experience any career "breaks" in these first five years?
II. THE TUMULTUOUS YEARS: 1971-75
Recall the upheavals of this period:
--The Watergate break-in, 1972
--DCI Schlesinger and the RIFs, 1973
--Congressional hearings on Watergate and the Ellsberg matters, 1973-4
--The Hughes-Ryan amendment which expanded legislative oversight of
CIA covert activity to eight committees in Congress
--The Rockefeller Commission which confirmed improprities in CIA
domestic operations, 1975
--The Church Committee in the Senate and the Pike Committee in the
House, 1975, which investigate CIA activities
--The fall of Saigon, April 1975
US intelligence operations came under intense public and Congressional
scruti-ny in 1975. Public disclosures produced a wave of skepticism about
the CIA and prompted pressure for new controls on US intelligence activities.
Looking back, what impact did these events have on your attitude toward
the Agency? Did you know officers who left the Agency during this period?
What are your thoughts today about this controversial era?
III. CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT AND OTHER CHANGES: 1976-80
In 1976 and 1977 Congress established intelligence oversight committees
in the Senate and the House. Meanwhile, at CIA, successive internal
reorganizations contributed to uncertainty and lowered morale.
DCI Turner (March 1977 - January 1981) sought to promote a better public
understanding of the Agency's mission abroad and its analytic capability
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at home. What was your reaction to efforts to'"open up" the Agency?
What do you think are the pros and cons of the various moves undertaken
to reorganize the Agency and to make it more responsive to legislative
oversight? Did you undergo any fundamental job changes during this period?
IV. REBUILDING AND NEW CONTROVERSY: 1981-84
During the 1980s the Agency has clearly been on the rebound. Success has
been achieved in many areas: increased budget and hiring, growing public
support, higher employee morale.. New legislation restricted Congressional
oversight of covert activity to the two Select Committees on Intelligence.
In 1982, after another legislative battle, it became illegal to publicly'
identify US covert employees overseas--an effort designed to curb CIA
critics such as Philip Agee and the editors of the Covert Action
Information Bulletin. Despite"such help, overseas duty lost some of the
appeal of earlier years. The terrorist threat, the growing phenomenon
of dual career couples, and fewer financial inducements pose problems
for those working abroad. Meanwhile, the controversial US role in Central
America, the serious problem of leaks to the press, and alleged
politicization of the Agency cause misgivings for some Agency employees.
The likelihood of substantial changes in the US civil service retirment
program clouds retirment plans for many.
How does your future look to you in your 19th year at CIA? Do you
have regrets about your career choice? ''Would you do it all over again?
What do you see for yourself in the next decade? A top-level managerial
slot? Early retirement? A new, non-Agency career? More of the same?
V. THE FUTURE
How can the Agency improve?Twenty-year veterans probably have insights
and suggestions that both junior and senior employees would find helpful.
Any thoughts you might wish to share would be appreciated.
STAT
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