PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS, BASIC APPROACH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00789R002900370001-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 21, 1991
• Content Type: REQ

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STFIFI GATE
DEFENSE
INTELLIGENCE
AGENCY
DT-9-1039-SL
PAOFICIEIICY EIIHAI1CEIIlEIIT PROJECTS (U)
BASIC APPROACH
.GTCA#r~
STRA GATE
21 JUnE 1991
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PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
BASIC APPROACH
Date of Publication
21 June 1991
This is a Department of Defense Intelligence Document
prepared by Technology Assessment and Support Office,
Directorate for Scientific and Technical Intelligence
Defense Intelligence Agency.
Technology Assessment and Support Office (DT-S)
REPRODUCTION REQUIRES
APPROVAL OF ORIGINATOR
OR HIGHER DOD AUTHORITY
FURTHER DISSEMINATION
ONLY AS DIRECTED BY DT
OR HIGHER DOD AUTHORITY
CLASSIFIED BY: DIA/DT
DECLASSIFY ON: OADR
/I10FOAI1/LImDI9
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CONTENTS
I PURPOSE ............................................ 1
II SCOPE/OBJECTIVE .................................... 1
III PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS ................... 2
IV DATA BASE ISSUES ................................... 6
A. PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PUBLICATIONS
B. SESSION TASKING
C. DATA BASE REQUIREMENTS
D. PARAMETER EVALUATION SERIES
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PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
BASIC APPROACH
I. (U) PURPOSE:
(S/NF) The purpose of this document is to identify basic
options for proficiency enhancement that are available to DT-S
project personnel.
II. (U) SCOPE/OBJECTIVES:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) The performance enhancement projects
discussed in this report are organized according to various
options that relate to both applications research investigations
and potential operational tasks. These options include rapid
practice/feedback projects, parameter exploration projects, and a
variety of projects that relate to, or possibly simulate,
anticipated operational tasks.
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) These various proficiency options, therefore
provide a means for systematic training/practice, and assist in
systematic review or assessment of potential intelligence
operational application.
(U) Appendix material identifies types of information
required for keeping track of individual proficiency activity and
for developing appropriate data base records. Previous
proficiency-related publications and details on one of the
research-related options are also included in appendix material.
IlOF0AI1/LIMDI9
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III. (U) PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) A variety of proficiency enhancement
projects are reviewed in this section. These projects
(proficiency options) all require tailored target pools. Many of
these target pools have already been developed; others are in
preparation. These project options are summarized below:
o (U) OPTION I - EXPLORATORY:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This option consists of a wide
variety of target pool material that should permit easy
evaluation of how well individuals perform on specific target
elements. For example, it includes targets with only color,
targets with only basic/simple shapes or geometries, out-of-
context targets, printed material targets, or unique combinations
of these. Primary purpose of this option is to assist in an
individual's "calibration", such as evaluating the extent of
"analytical overlay" or other noise sources that might be
generally present in the data. Fundamental aspects of the
overall process might also be deducible from comparison of the
individuals raw data to the target specifics. This option will
also link, where possible, to external contractor projects of a
similar nature. Targets in this option also have relevance for
certain applications where unique elements might be important
(e.g., search projects).
o (U) OPTION II - COMPUTER AIDED:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This option is intended for high-
volume use and is based on a computerized training/practice
technique recently developed by DT-S personnel. This option
permits rapid target selection and rapid feedback for potentially
thousands of targets. It is highly flexible, can operate in a
variety of modes, and automatically maintain all pertinent
records including success/failure rates (and probabilities). It
can also be used in a "sender/receiver" mode to simulate or
evaluate communication potential. Such a mode could have
relevance for hostage projects.
(U) Details on this option are contained in DT-S-
1036-SL, PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT -- PHASE I; 6 June 1991.
o (U) OPTION III - BEACON PERSON:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This option permits exploration of
the role of a beacon person (or "sender") and is composed of
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actual targets that exist in the Baltimore-Washington area.
Targets are randomly selected from the target pool and a beacon
person then visits the actual site to observe the area. This
option has been found to be particularly useful for new
individuals or for demonstration purposes. The target pool
consists of a variety of diverse target possibilities.
(U) Additional details on this option are contained
in DT-S-1009-S, PROTOCOL FOR BEACON PERSON TARGETING, 19 Dec
1990, and in DT-S-1015-SL, ACTIVITY DEMONSTRATION, 15 Jan 1991.
o (U) OPTION IV - GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS/SITES:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) For examination of a variety of
potential near or distant situations, this option offers the most
flexibility. The target pool consists of a large number of
geographic targets as referenced by photographs, pages selected
from magazines such as National Geographic or other outdoor-
oriented publication. The targets are usually designated (to the
viewer) via "encrypted coordinates" or some other neutral means.
This option permits extensive evaluation of a viewer's strengths/
weaknesses on a variety of natural and man-made elements. It is
a key stepping stone for progressing toward operational
proficiency for projects involving remote area descriptions and
possibly search/track projects. This option is also a natural
extension of a previously-developed training procedure. It also
permits "operational simulations", since this target pool also
contains easy-to-verify military/technical targets (e.g., US
facilities) to permit operational calibration and to evaluate
feasibility of certain types of potential operational projects.
o (U) OPTION V - PERSONALITIES:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This option permits evaluation of
ability to describe target personality characteristics or other
aspects (such as state-of-health). The associated target pool
consists of names, photographs, or background printed material of
historical figures, fictional characters, or foreign
personalities. These personalities can be well-known or unknown,
male or female, or of any age or race. Results on this option
should permit evaluation of a specific individual's capability
for projects that involve personalties; i.e., certain
counterterrorism tasks, hostage status, or other.
o (U) OPTION VI - DOCUMENTS:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) There may be instances where a
"target document" is of interest. This option permits systematic
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exploration of "document reading/description" for a variety of
document types and various parameters such as document format,
location, and method of targeting. A target pool with a wide
variety of document types permits such an assessment.
o (U) OPTION VII - SEARCH/TRACK:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) One of the most difficult
operational projects is that involving location of missing
equipment or people. This option permits search "simulation" and
involves the actual finding of designated individuals (e.g.,
witting beacon persons), hidden equipment, or other material.
This option will have its own unique target pool, but can also be
worked in conjunction with most of the previous options.
o (U) OPTION VIII - PRECOGNITION:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) A variety of general predictive
tasks are included in this option. Most of them will be easy to
verify. Example tasks/questions could include prediction of
international activity/events of headline importance within the
next 3-5 days (or other time frames), prediction of which target
will be selected next in any of the previous options, or other
similar tasks. A track record from this option should indicate
the viability of "prediction" as a prime or parallel activity in
any future operational task. A computer-based precognition
procedure has also been developed as part of this option.
o (U) OPTIONS IX - POLICE CASES:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This will be for advanced
proficiency enhancement due to the diversity and complexity of
most police cases. The specifics in this option would be drawn
from already-solved police case work (not from local area), and
possibly from on-going activity if a reasonable chance of near-
term resolution exists. Unit involvement in such a situation
would be very limited and strictly voluntary; data generated
would only be kept in-file and not provided to law enforcement
officials unless unique circumstances dictate otherwise.
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) Police cases in this option could
include missing persons, suspect description, or location of key
evidence. Experience gained from such projects, even if very
limited, should directly benefit certain counternarcotics,
counterterrorism, or possibly counterintelligence projects.
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o OPTION X - PARAMETER EVALUATION SERIES:
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) This option permits project
personnel to directly support aspects of the overall research
objectives. The potential value of this option is derived from
the nature of this target pool. Care is taken to construct
various target pool categories that clearly define various
target-types, ranging from very simple to highly complex. Some
of the target-types are similar to those found in other project
options; however the targets in this option are more carefully
selected and relate in a more systematic way to other targets in
the overall pool. By careful target pool design, certain clues
on phenomenon operation might be more apparent than from targets
developed purely from an operational or applications perspective.
In addition, specific targets in this pool could be easily
subjected to some type of parameter manipulation, such as
distance, shielding, or unique environment exposure to look for
possible physical variables or influences. Some of these targets
could also be duplicated and made available to a variety of
research facilities for possible joint projects (i.e., via the
external contractor for this area). Targets in this option could
also be used for initial screening of candidate individuals.
(U) Additional details on target pool construction for
this option are presented in Appendix D.
o (U) OPTION XI - TBD:
(S/NF) There will probably be other application
of potential interest that will require unique target pools for
proficiency evaluation. These will be developed as needed.
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IV. (U) DATA BASE ISSUES:
(S/NF) This section addresses general data record aspects of
these proficiency enhancement projects. A previous publication
discusses specific procedures and protocols for this overall
proficiency series. (DT-S-1031-SL, PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL
PROFICIENCY TARGETS (U), 5 April 1991). Other proficiency-
related publications are listed in Appendix A.
(U) An example of session information for any of the project
options is shown in Appendix B (Session Tasking Sheet) and
Appendix C (Data Base Requirements). Only those aspects relevant
to any option would be highlighted on the task sheet; project
personnel would be clearly told prior to project start what
option the proficiency task involves. It may be that certain
people have option preferences, or over time, show better
proficiency on some of the options. These preferences (or
patterns) would provide insight into potential application
projects suitable for that individual.
(U) Appendix C data permits easy extraction of information
useful for examining possible variables, such as influence of a
monitor (if present), affects of targeting technique, influence
of a sender/beacon person, or other potential factors such as an
individual's mood or expectations. Additionally, target
variables such as target size, location, or other parameters can
also be noted and reviewed for possible patterns.
(U) All target material used in any of the proficiency
options will be on a "with replacement" approach. That is, a
selected target will be returned to the pool, and could be
selected again (on a random basis) at any time. This permits
assessment of significance of "identical targets" in viewer
performance, and simplifies target pool maintenance.
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) Data evaluation procedures for these
proficiency options will be as outlined in previous project
reports (EVALUATION METHODS; PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL PROFICIENCY
TARGETS). In addition, "control individuals" will be identified
and requested to provide data on select tasks. This will permit
a "control data base" to be developed for comparison to data
generated by STAR GATE sources.
(S/SG/NF/LIMDIS) In time, and with a large data base,
operational limitations/constraints might also be deducible from
these proficiency enhancement projects.
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Uf CLASSIFIED
PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PUBLICATIONS:
1.
DT-S-1009-S
19 DEC 90
PROTOCOL FOR BEACON
PERSON TARGETING
2.
DT-S-1010-S
13 DEC 90
EVALUATION METHODS
3.
DT-S-1015-SL
15 JAN 91
ACTIVITY DEMONSTRATION
4.
DT-S-1031-SL
5 APR 91
PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL
PROFICIENCY TARGETS
5.
DT-S-1036-SL
6 JUN 91
PROFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT
PROJECT - PHASE I
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GENERIC TASK SHEET
SPECIAL PROFICIENCY TARGET (SPT)
DATE: ?
TARGET NO: COMPLETE DATE:
TARGET DATA DESIRED:
1. DESCRIBE KEY TARGET FEATURES: (Include forms, shapes,
spatial aspect, color, motion/dynamics):
Emphasize the following: ?
Do for the following perspectives:
- Ground-level
- over-view
- Other: ?
List in order of importance/most likely.
2. IDENTIFY KEY TARGET CONTENT: (Include meaning, purpose,
function, nature of activity, type/nature of people if present):
- Emphasize the following:
- List in order of importance/most likely.
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APPENDIX B
SESSIOIl TFISKII1G SHEET
Bonr+ce No.
Date Tasked
suspense Date
Task/Target1ng No.:
Target/Target Package Location:
Targeting Technique :
Target Data Desired:
1. DESCRIBE HEY TART FEATURES (include forms, shapes, spatial
aspects, color, motion/dynamics):
- Emphasize the following:
- Do the following Perspectives:
Ground Ievel
Over-view
Other:
2. IDENTIFY KEY TARGET OONTENT (include meaning, purpose,
function, nature of activity, type /nature of people, if
present):
_ Emphasize the following:
3. IF PEE ONALITY, DESCIZTBR :
4. OTHER: (Bee attached)
5. TASK UNDERSTANDING: Be sure to discuss this task with the
Branch Chief or his designee to ensure that all objectives
are understood and that no misunderstandings exist.
6. OTHER GUIDANCE: Select your own style, technique, timing.
Prepare summaries, record data as previously specified.
Please let the Branch Chief or his designee know your
preference, estimated timing, and number of anticipated
sessions.
7. NOTE: Identify data on your summary sheet according to
perceived importance and list (or underline) data you
perceive to be the most likely.
8. RENDER: The target can be anything; have fun.
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APPENDIX C
~nqha~saeEp= ,u,
A. (U) ON SOURCES' SUMMARIES:
- Task/Target No.
- Target Designator
- Targeting Method/Technique
- Monitor (if used)
- Estimate Of Outcome (High, Medium, Low)
- Possible Session Aids/Distractions
- Source No.
- Date
- Session No.
- Session Start Time
- Session Stop Time
- Session Class
- Session Type
B. (U) ADDITIONAL PROJECT RECORDS
- Project Type
- Project Objective
- Specific Task/Key Questions (Generic Task Sheet Data)
- Target/Target Package Location
- Feedback Details (Specifics Attached, If Necessary)
- Specific Monitor Knowledge (If Not Solo/Double Blind)
- Others On Project With Target Knowledge (Specify)
- Source's Data (Attached Session Summary)
- Ops Reporting No. (If Operational)
- Possible Session Aids/Distractions
- Possible Psychological Variables
- Possible Physical Variables
C. (U) EVALUATION DATA:
- Sources' Results (Data Correlation, Accuracy/Reliability)
- Sources' Results (Utility, Where Applicable)
- Control's Results (If used)
- Evaluator(s)
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4. TASK UNDERSTANDING: Be sure to discuss this task with the
Branch Chief or his designee to ensure that all objectives are
understood and that no misunderstandings exist.
5. OTHER GUIDANCE: Select own style, technique, timing.
Prepare summaries, record data as previously specified. Please
let Branch Chief or his designee know your preference, estimated
timing, and number of anticipated sessions.
6. REMINDER: Target can be anything; have fun.
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RECORD DATA REQUIRED
0 Record following on upper right of summary:
- PROJECT NO: .
- DATE: .
- TIME: .
- SOURCE NO: .
- SESSION NO: .
- MONITOR: .
- SESSION CLASS:
- SESSION TYPE:
o other record data, such as target control type, targeting
technique, target source, who has target knowledgeability, and
other data will be recorded in the project records for each
specific SPT target.
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PARAMETER EVALUATION SERIES
OPTION X
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PARAMETER EVALUATION SERIES
To systematically search for physical and psychophysical
parameters that are important to parapsychological performance:
- Candidate physical parameters would include distance to
target, shielding, type of feedback.
- Candidate psychophysical parameters would include
individual cognitive style, RV session strategy, targeting
methodologies, and possibly nature of the target.
GENERAL APPROACH:
Development of a target pool of 80 targets that permits
systematic examination of some candidate parameters is central to
this evaluation series. Several proven individuals, as well as
those with predetermined potential will be required. Some type
of psychological/neurophysiological profiling will also be
necessary (e.g., personality type, cognitive style). Parameters
of interest can be explored systematically with proper session
design. Session variables could include distance to target,
feedback conditions, type of targeting (beacon person, abstract).
For the distance parameter, either the individual would travel to
a variety of locations, or a duplicate target pool could be moved
around.
It would be desirable to have all sources perform on all
targets in the pool. This would maximize the chances of
identifying variables, including subtle aspects, that may have a
role in phenomena operation.
TARGET POOL:
The target pool in this series will have the following four
categories:
CATEGORY A: This category comprises of twenty targets that are
"form" dominant. That is, they are pictorial target of generally
simple geometric shapes or forms (e.g., Egyptian pyramids,
cones). Only a few colors will be dominant, and background, if
any, will not be a significant feature. The context, scale, or
function/purpose of the target scene or object may not be
apparent, and is not of prime interest in this category.
Consequently, evaluation of RV data from Category A targets will
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focus on "form-color" elements, not on the analytical aspects.
CATEGORY B: This category is comprised of twenty pictorial
targets that are combinations of form/content. Consequently,
both shape and content correlations are equally important in
evaluating the raw data. The targets will be as simple as
possible, although they will have a variety of elements that will
be relatively unique across targets. In addition, background or
setting will be important elements, as will the overall context
of the target contents. Some of these targets will have features
that indicate, or imply, specific dynamic aspects or other target
attributes (e.g., temperature, direction of motion). Category B
targets will have a mix of unique forms/shapes, may have a
variety of colors, a variety of settings or backgrounds, and will
be natural (e.g., scenes, people, wildlife), manmade (e.g.,
buildings, devices), or combinations of these. The targets will
not be overly complex so that evaluation can be facilitated and
so that cross-target comparisons can be made, if desired.
Although pictorial material is emphasized, a few targets could be
combinations of printed and pictorial elements, with relevant
words or sentences superimposed on the target picture.
CATEGORY C: These targets (20 totaled) will be representative of
operational projects. They will be complex in nature, have a
variety of target elements including pictorial, printed material,
or combinations. Although each target will have unique aspects,
there could be some overlap with other targets. Consequently,
fine discrimination, precise form, exact spatial relationships,
or accurate assessment of target content (e.g., specific
location, specific function of device) would be required to
determine how well the source's data matched the target.
CATEGORY D: These twenty targets will permit exploration of
target features or aspects not necessarily contained in the first
three categories. These targets would include 3-D objects or
unusual forms of target representation. Some of the targets
could be 3-D versions of pictorial targets in the previous
categories. Such targets will permit determination of
"dimensional effects", if any, on the individual viewers'
perceptions.
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EVALUATION:
Data evaluation would be accomplished in several ways: rank
order (subgroups), figure of merit, concept analysis, or use of
"fuzzy set" methodology. In addition, raw data-target element
correlation analysis would be required in order to assess
effects, if any, of some of the variables such as distance,
shielding, targeting methods, etc. Each target category may
require a separate evaluation approach; however, the series could
be evaluated by using a "meta-analysis" method as well. It is
envisioned that sufficient variety will exist in the 80 targets,
and in target pool/subject manipulation, that certain key
parameters regarding phenomenon functioning and reliability could
be identified at completion of this parameter evaluation series.
ALTERNATE USE:
An abbreviated version of the target pools developed for this
parameter evaluation series could be used for screening/selecting
people with potential. For example, four or five targets from
each of the four categories could be incorporated into some form
of easy-to-use capability testing approach. Candidate
individuals would perform a specified number of trials, and
results could identify potential candidates and their targeting
or subject matter preferences.
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