OSO-OPC TRAINING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62-00939A000100010003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 11, 2005
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: June 3, 1949
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : (5&?W00939A00(, 100010003-7
NFID NTIAL
TO : ADSO
FROM : TRS
SUBJECT: OSO-0PC Training
3 June 1949
25X1 1. has conveyed to me your desire to have
my written recommendations concerning the present OSO-OPC
training problems. The attached paper contains in essence
my views, though I would make a few minor changes were I
rewriting it now. For instance, Assessment should be added
as a responsibility of the Training Staff.
2. I recommend that this attached paper be presented
to the Director as a basis for further discussion. Admittedly
it is all in favor of OSO. I believe, however, that it is
time that OSO began to assert its competence, longer expe-
rience, and genuine strength. If we do not, we will be
constantly forced to compromise, and in compromising we
will slowly lose control not only of our training but also
of our operations.
3. Since OPC was first set up, the 0S0 Training Staff
has been squarely in the middle. We had, after several
difficult years, developed an excellent training program,
manned, for the most part, by competent and experienced
men and women. Yet we were barely strong enough to handle
the OSO training job; in fact, we had delayed some badly
needed new courses through lack of strength. We..were then
told to "assist" OPC in its development by giving that
office all the training support possible, consistent with
our personnel strength and facilities. In actual fact, if
we had followed that principle to the letter, we would
have given no help to OPC. Every OPC student we have
handled, every hour spent conferring with OPC on training
problems, has to that extent lessened the quality of train-
ing given to OSO students.
4. All of us on the Training Staff, however, though
loyal to OSO, are also members of CIA and sincerely believe
that OSO and OPC are engaged in a common cause. We further
believe that the kind of training given new employees has.
great bearing on the future efficiency of the organization.
We therefore have strained our abilities and facilities to
the breaking point in order to help OPC establish a com-
petent headquarters staff and training staff. Unfortunately,
we have neither satisfied OPC completely nor maintained the
previous high level of OSO training.
CrIm 62-00939A00010001 003-7
Approved For Release 2005/11/21
NFL
 Approved For Relea a 2005/11/21: S EL-00939A000100010003-7
5. As Chief of OSO Training, I have. felt I had a
responsibility to train OPC personnel but I have had no
authority over OPC training and no increase in my staff.
I hope soon to be relieved of my present duties to go to
the field. I should like to leave to my successor a well-
organized, competent staff, with a clearly defined rela-
tionship to OPC. I believe that the proposal in the
attached paper will do that.
6. However, should the proposal that OSO be given
the entire responsibility appear too unfavorable to OPC,
I propose the following:
a. A Chief of Training, to be in charge of all
OSO and OPC training, will be appointed by the ADSO,
with the concurrence of the DCI and the ADPC, and
will be carried on the 0S0 T/0.
b. Under this Chief would be two Deputies, one
for OSO training, one for OPC training. These
Deputies would be appointed by the ADSO and ADPC
respectively, would be carried on the T/O's of the
respective Offices, and, with the Chief, would form
a small committee to handle problems of mutual
interest.
c. Under this superstructure would be the
various units to handle Headquarters, Covert, Area
(Paramilitary), and Administrative Training.
Assessment would be an additional unit.
d. The T/0 and operating expenses exclusive
of personnel salaries would be equally divided be-
tween OSO and OPC, However, the operating expenses
and T/0 for Area training would be completely OPCts*
e. While a divided T/0, with divided loyalties,
has c?isadvantages, this plan would give unified
control over staff and facilities with resulting
economies. Also, both OSO and OPC could run seg-
regated courses in highly-classified techniques
through their Deputies on the Training Staff, Fur-
thermore, should either OSO or OPC be removed from
CIA, a capable training staff would be available
for completely independent use. However, should
OSO and OPC come closer together, complete merger of
the staff could easily be effected.
f. The justification for making the Chief an
OSO man is, first, the greater maturity of OSO;
.-2
Approved For Release 2005/11/22-C A RDP62-00939A0001.00010003-7
 Approved For Rele,Ve 2005/11/21 : CIQ FREI939AO0011r00010003-7
second, the fact that the heart of both OSO and
OPC activities is, and will remain, agent opera-
tions, in which OSO will continue to have greater
competence.
7, If neither of the above plans is acceptable, I
see no other solution than complete separation of the two
Training Staffs. Possibly a few programs could be run
jointly on a quid pro cuo basis, These might be Basic
Training, Adm n stra ive and Orientation, Covert Training
(Basic operating techniques only), and Foreign Service
Institute liaison. This approach is what we have already
attempted, I can assure you that to date, OSO Training
has been giving - not getting. This approach, because of
lack of central authority, is time-consuming and indeci-
sive, leading to endless committee meetings that can solve
little.
8, To me, OSO-OPC training relationships are depend-
ent largely upon OSO-OPC relationships generally. I am
not sure that we can go further toward "Joint" training
activities than the two offices do in their planning and
operational activities, However, I feel that unless OSO
jr,U Training helps OPC in its build-up phase, we can justly
be accused of non-cooperation. If we fail to cooperate,
I fear we will be removed from OSO and be forced to assume
..-rte tutu the OPC F r a n k l y , lysis of OPC t s
training situation that they are desperate, They have
25X1 a T/O of some ost of whom must be recruited and
trained over the next two years, yet their training staff
` is purely in embryo - it will be months, if not a full year,
before it is capable of doing even a partial job, This
fact explains their pressure on the OSO Training Staff -
a pressure which, I assure you, is seriously hurting the
efficiency of OSO training. Hence my desire to reach some
``olution soon.
r
d~i~-~v Ic~4Q 9, My suggestion is that the DCI be presented with
J~x the problem as soon as possible. I am afraid that the
Joint OSO-OPC Training Committee can not solve the problem,
25X1
Chiefs TRS
Approved For Release 2005/11/25 R 62-00939A000100010003-7
 Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP62-00939A000100010003-7
Approved For Release 2005/11/21 : CIA-RDP62-00939A000100010003-7