NOTES ON THE ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION STAFF, OFFICE OF TRAINING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP57-00042A000200200025-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2001
• Sequence Number: 25
• Content Type: NOTES

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Notes on the Assessment and Evaluation Staff, Office of Training
This organization exists primarily for the purpose of rendering professional
psychological support to the Office of Training. Its secondary mission is to
render psychological assessment support to the Clandestine Services. All
services performed are advisory in nature, rendered only upon request and are
non-definitive.
In its roll of training support the Training Evaluation Branch consults with
instructors on evaluation of students and evaluates the appropriateness of
Training courses and tests. The organization has no professionals on duty
other than the Chief of the Branch who devotes a large percentage of his time to
collaboration with the Research and Validation Branch. During the survey it
was noted that plans are underway to reduce voluminous training files to
IBM cards. The Organization and Methods Service is willing to assist in
developing these plans if desired.
The Research and Validation Branch exists largely for the purpose of
validating the work done by the Assessment Branch and the Training Evaluation
Branch. The validation of assessments has been slow in getting underway, but
plans are being developed for performance follow-up on assessments. The
research conducted here involves the processing and disseminating of pro-
fessional material for the entire Assessment and Evaluation Staff. Advice
is also rendered to the Staff on psychological tests. Several projects are
in process involving research in training tests, psychological tests and the-Junior
Officer Trainee Program.
The Assessment Branch conducts psychological assessments on a highly
selective basis. Its cases emanate largely from the Clandestine Services,
either directly or through the various training courses of the Office of
Training. Although this service is available to all of CIA, its customers as
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a practicality are largely within the Clandestine Services. The following
quoted statement from DD/P reflects the nature of the case load.
"To utilize the facilities of the Assessment and Evaluation
Staff of the Office of Training most effectively, requests for formal
assessment will be limited to: (a) the evaluation of persons being
considered for sensitive positions in which psychological hazards do
or may exist or where detailed psychological information is useful or
pertinent; (b) foreign indigenous persons on whom there is limited or
inaccessible information; (c) prospective employees when a professional
psychological opinion as to their suitability for clandestine or covert
operations is required; (d) persons who are to be assigned to positions
of higher responsibility substantially different from those previously
held by the individual; (e) cases where an apparent conflict exists
between the training reports and "on-the-job" performance. Formal
assessment should not be requested as a substitute for: (a) careful
screening and evaluation by responsible officials of candidates for
employment; (b) proper evaluation of employee performance, which is the
responsibility of supervisors; (c) straightforward disposition of person-
nel problems which.obviously require no professional psychological evalua-
tion."
During the period July 1-October 30, 1952, there were 170 assessments
performed of which 159 were from the Clandestine Services and 11 were from the
Security Office (Polygraph Operat s). This amounts to approximately 10
assessments per week. The assessment process requires about two days of assess-
ment and testing plus an undetermined amount of time for appraisal of results,
interpretation and report writing. The reports are des,ighed toypredict the
suitability of the employee for the projected assignment. The reports are
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sensitiv~ ~i~g ly cr~ ca~J, non- a i'n ve an app ca e only o the job
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in question. Report circulation must be done on a highly restricted basis
and the contents thereof are misleading if read out of context. Upon
request, psychological tests are conducted for the Psychiatric Division of the
Medical Office and also upon request, information on file is furnished. It
was noted that assessment reports recommending psychiatric referral were
being sent back to the Clandestine Services, and it appears that this type
of information should instead, be referred directly to the Medical Office for
action. In addition, where evidence of emotional instability exists, the
assessment report is incomplete until a psychiatric diagnosis has been made.
The Chief of the Assessment Branch stated that his organization was concerned
with the appraisal of such human qualities as leadership ability, ability to
get along with people, mental ability, social adaptability, wear and
suitability for job environment. He was of the opinion that he should
refer by-product indications of mental disorders to the Medical Office for
action.
The Assessment Branch also conducts one-day tests of all Junior Officer Train-
ees and is contemplating the rendering of assistance in determining the
suitability of employees for career retention in CIA.
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