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Studies in Intelligence 69, No. 1 (Extracts, March 2025)

Memory Techniques in the Intelligence Community:
A Tool for Improving Analysis?

Cody Herr

Cody Herr is a senior analyst at US Special Operations Command.

Introduction

This article presents the findings of an experiment to test the effect of memory training on intelligence analysis. The results indicate a significant relationship between memory training and a boost in recall of key details from intelligence reporting. This strongly suggests a link between memory optimization and analytic performance. Many organizations require memory testing and training. In contrast, the Intelligence Community places tremendous demand on the memories of intelligence analysts, but it does not provide training or testing to improve this skill. Overall, this article recommends a modest IC investment in memory training to better support policymaking.

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