FINAL COURSE REPORT - CLANDESTINE SERVICES LIAISON OPERATIONS COURSE NO. 14, 14 NOVEMBER - 6 DECEMBER 1960

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03576A000100030007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 14, 2006
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 9, 1961
• Content Type: MEMO

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STANDARi FORM NO.64
Office Memorandum ? UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO Chief, Operations School
VIA : Chief, Headquarters Training
Chief Instructor, Clandestine Services
Liaison Operations Course
Final Course Report - Clandestine Services
Liaison Operations Course No. 14,
14 November - 6 December 1960
DATE: 9 January 1961
1. Synopsis: Ten full-time students were enrolled in
Clandestine Services Liaison Operations Course No. 14 beginning
14 November 1960. The Thanksgiving Holiday ended the course on
6 rather than on 2 December. This class, in all likelihood, would
have been cancelled as were the two previous ones, had the FI Staff
not made a special effort to induce the operating divisions to pro-
vide a quorum of students. At the request of the FI Staff certain
changes and modifications in the course were made. Students were
prompt and regular in their attendance except for a few cases,
cleared in advance where medical or processing requirements pre-
vented their attendance. For the student roster please see
Attachment I.
2. The assignments, grades, and career designations of the
students follow:
Assignments Grades Career Designations
SR. . . . 2 GS-14. 1 D. . 6
EE. . . . 3 GS-13 .2 DI . 1
WE. . . . 1 GS-12 .5 DT . 2
TSD . . . 2 GS-11 .2 I. . 1
OPSER/RID 1
DDP/CCS . 1
3. The assignments are current. Two of the EE offic era are
due to leave shortly the WE officer probably to 25X1
in the next year. The third EE officer has been reassigned to an
should be in in early 1961. All four of these officers expect
to be involve n iaison operations. A majority of the students were
from operating divisions rather than staffs - a healthy sign. The
grade level of the class was less top-heavy with rank than in earlier
classes, averaging GS-12 rather than GS-13 or GS-14. By and large,
students had more operational experience in the field than did those
in the previous two CSLO's despite the fact that their average grade
was lower. This class was noticeably receptive and responsive in
terms of active participation in questions and discussions.
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ORiG CLASS PAGES 17 - REV
JUST NEXT REV
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and up-to-date course must-move with time and changing conditions.
This is certainly true of the CSLO. Many of the modifications in
)
4. There were a series of changes in course content and
presentation reflecting both the suggestions made by the FI Staff
and the considered judgment of the instructional staff. Any dynamic
this class were of this nature. Constant emphasis (with examples
fication and removal of many of the charts and TSD organizational talk.
operations. In other words, a change of emphasis strengthened the
course and facilitated the achievement of objectives a and t.- to
increase the proficiency of the CS officer in liaison operations
and to examine the doctrine and techniques of liaison operations.
Mr. set the general stage of the course by speaking on
philosophical and operational approaches to liaison operations.
In this he did a most competent job. The TSD joint presentation
on 18 November showed increased realism largely because of simpli-
the CS officer in the establishment and development of liaison
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5. Student Performance: This class, though it had occasional
moments of unresponsiveness in the group discussions, was by and large
a more active and interested class than the previous one. None of the
students had had more than a one-time or an occasional contact with
foreign liaison services despite an aggregate of considerable experience
abroad in unilateral operations. Nonetheless, they asked questions, both
during lectures and in the discussion periods, and without exception
expressed surprise at the complexity and delicacy of liaison operations.
6. Student Comments: Without exception every student said that
the course had accomplished its stated objectives and had been of value.
(See below.) Written critiques, as well as oral comments, uniformly re-
flect a strong endorsement.
a. Accomplished the Objectives of the Course: All students
said that the course attained its objectives. Several specifically
emphasized that the course had been particularly effective in
attaining objectives a and d - to increase the proficiency of
the CS officer in liaison operations and to examine the doctrine
and techniques of liaison operations.
b. Value of the Course: Most of the students felt the
course was informative, interesting" "stimulating," and many
referred to their surprise at the extent, scope, and nature of
Agency world-wide liaison operations. Several also referred to
the value to them of the "effective presentation of problems,
pitfalls, advantages and disadvantages" of liaison operations.
Almost all the students wrote that: 1) They wished they had
taken the course much sooner, and 2) It should be a "must" for
all officers going out on a liaison assignment abroad. One
student, due to leave very shortly for a liaison operational
assignment in the Far East, wrote that the course "enabled
me to anticipate some of the problems I may encounter and
has provided suggestions, comments, etc. pertinent to solutions
of these problems." The following individual quotations from
the critiques should be of interest:
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"...gave me a new outlook on the value of liaison operations...."
"My concept of liaison operations as a 'paper exchange' has been
completely altered." I am completely sold on this effort."
"This has been a particularly rewarding experience for me. This
course has Etimulated me to the extent that I would welcome an
assignment in a liaison capacity."
c. Reading Materials: Most of the students found the
reading material both complete and pertinent or felt that the
supplementary reading represented " a good selection." One
student wants the ACCREDITATION File (57 pages) retyped with
the pseudonyms and cryptonyms replaced with real names to make
the reading easier. Several students felt the reading material
contained too many regulations and complained that this was
"heavy going," suggesting that more Operational Aids and case
studies be included rather than regulations - a valid suggestion.
d. Guest, Instructor Lectures and Group Discussions: Some
comment on guest,instructor lectures, and group discussions follow:
25X1
"Lecturers were generally good, some were excellent."
"h few lecturers suffered from lack of preparation."
"Outstanding speakers: 25X1
talk could be more informal with more emphasis on egal operations.
first part was slow. He has a good subject."
"On the whole, all the lectures were very good and informative."
"The course is exceptionally well organized, moving as it does
from the general to the specific."
25X1'
"The course is peppered with outstanding lectures:
own presentations as well as
his guiding hand throughout the three weeks provided the catalyst 25X1
that tied the course into a cogent whole." "Mr Os coverage
of liaison picture was well presented and extremely
illuminating.
"
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- ,
11 lecturers were outstanding, notably
Instructor lectures
consistently interesting.
"Excellent selection of guest lecturers. Quite obvious too
that in this instance the instructor is most qualified to
conduct this course and capable of maintaining constant
interest of the students. The group discussions were
particularly interesting."
atter was well organ
subject
"
' he schedule was
m
The
smooth-running and efficient. Mr
stimulated group
25X1
discussions and contributed greatly with his own knowledgeable
observations, illustrations and summations of problems."
e. Administration of the 'gourse: There seems to be
little to comment on here. Mrs.
id her usual
25X1
fine job, and all the students have esc er work and
this aspect of the course as "excellent" or "very good."
A few more examples:
"To be commended for the se and simplicity with which it was
conducted."
"Perhaps the only generalization that can be made about course
administration is that it is never in evidence unless it mal-
functions."
7. Conclusion and Recommendations: Students' comments indicate
that the OSLO is of value to the students, stimulating, interesting
and well organized. They also say that it attains all its objectives.
The complaints on the last class have apparently been completely re-
moved or at least to such an extent that this particular class, with
its own class personality, was not aware of shortcomings.
8. A real effort has been made to concentrate more on the
" bows" of liaison. This effort has at least been partially successful.
chile the course is basically sound and strong, there remain the ever-
present problems (in any course) of keeping good speakers lined up,
organizing effective schedules and weaving these elements into a
whole which has purpose and real content with a minimum of overlap.
This is a regular commitment, and it appears the OSLO is in a good
and healthy position. It has certainly had some good speakers who
know their subjects. The same trend will be continued. It appears
the course would benefit from a pruning in the reading material of
some of the regulations, which are admittedly heavy reading. This will
he done. They should be replaced with additional pertinent operational
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NOW ~qw
aids or appropriate studies in the new series now being put out by
the FI Staff.
9. The principal problem in connection with the CSLO lies
not primarily in the course itself but in the lack of sufficient
students of the right type. If the FI Staff continues to assist-
in providing a proper quota of the right sort of students, then
it does not seem too optimistic to predict that this joint effort
will be successful and OTR/OS will continue to improve the CSLO
on a regular basis and specifically to give better support to the
CS.
Attachments
I - List of Students
II - Course Schedule
III - Student Crit ues (specifically requested
by Mr.[ I
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