COS SEMINAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05795A000300040024-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 6, 2001
• Sequence Number: 24
• Content Type: MISC

Approved, r Release 2001/081U9'ECIA-RDP78-( 5A000300040024-4
COS SEMINAR
11-Z
FOREWORD
/967
The objective of the COS Seminar is to improve the ability of the students
to function as Chiefs of Station. The instruction is focussed on the six princi-
pal aspects of the COS's responsibility, namely:
(1) The COS as manager;
(2) The COS as supervisor;
(3) The COS as case officer;
(4) The COS as instructor;
(5) The COS as Public Relations Officer;
(6) The COS as coordinator (of all USG clandestine collection
activities).
The means by which we attempt to attain the above objective is, wherever
possible, class discussion and experience-sharing, usually with the aid o mented
substantively qualified officer of the CS. The discussion method is supple
where appropriate,, by problem-solving and role-playing sessions.
It is a firm assumption of the course that we cannot train students to per-
form better as COS's by having students memorize sets of procedures to be
applied mechanically in response to designated stimuli. The assumption is
rather made that we shall have achieved our objective if we have brought about
a positive feeling of satisfaction in situations of change and uncertainty; if we
have learned, not the avoidance of risks, but something of the intelligent man-
agement of risks; if we have learned how to use experts without-being abused by
them; and if we have reinforced our habit of subjecting problems to vigorous
and painstaking analysis, keeping an open mind to all reasonable alternatives.
The course is open to Chiefs of Station, Deputy Chiefs of Station, and--
Chiefs of Base. The course includes a review by competent officers of the
Clandestine Services of CS techniques and resources which can be utilixed`bY-
the COS in fulfilling his mission.
An annotated list of reading materials which participants will find relevant
to their assignments will be found in the reading kit folder.
Approved For Release 2001/08/0EC'4[4-RDP78-05795A000300040024-4