THE AGENCY IMAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-05077A000100120007-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 5, 2002
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: September 14, 1973
• Content Type: MEMO

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14 September 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA Deputy Director for Management and
Services
FROM Director of Medical Services
SUBJECT The Agency Image
REFERENCE : My memorandum, subject as above, dated
10 August 1973
1. As a background for the recommendation in reference
memorandum, the following comments are offered.
The Agency image is a subject that falls outside the
customary concept of component responsibility. While it
is a topic of general interest, the coping is usually
associated with more senior management. Under ordinary
circumstances, the Office of Medical Services would not
in all probability offer comment or suggestion. A recent
general invitation to enlist ideas on the subject has been
an encouragement to do so. The invitation comes at a time
when other experiences permit the jelling of a proposal.
2. For some time now our office has been interested in
the Behavioral Sciences and their relationships to Agency
business. These considerations have occasioned much thought-
ful exploration. Such efforts are continuing. It is the
intent to build the Agency a professional depth much as has
been done in the varied aspects of medicine. The current
avenue of approach is to broaden consultant capabilities in
the Behavioral Sciences. There are many reasons for this
approach. We learn this way. We meet the people in the
business, and we are exposed to some forward-looking thinking.
In terms of tangible results, the visible evidences are modest.
A great deal of energy has gone into learning what not to do
and whom not to contact. We have painstakingly established
some associations that we think are pretty good. It is they
whom we recommend.
3. These professionals are recommended first of all
because they are pro-Agency. We know them, have talked with
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SUBJECT: The Agency Image
them and have read their material. They have taken the time
out of their busy lives to visit with us. There is no doubt
of their interest in helping the Agency. The professionals
suggested in this instance are identified by reason of their
personal attributes rather than as examples of disciplines
essential to the task. It so happens that one is a psychia-
trist, another a psychologist and one is a political scientist.
This spread happens to facilitate the proposed exploratory
effort, but it is not designed as a formulation of disciplinary
necessity. Each of these men is an expert in his chosen field
and accustomed to the terms and applications relating to the
Behavioral Sciences. Each has been instrumental in furthering
Behavioral Science concepts. Attached are biographic profiles.
4. It should be stated here that there is no way of
knowing whether this approach to the Agency image will prove
successful. We anticipate a variety of difficulties. The
approach, however, is worth a try. No such similar effort
has been attempted previously.
What might be expected? We tend to think that a
beginning identification may emerge of those aspects of
human behavior that relate to specifics of Agency imagery.
It would not take a great deal of effort to know if we
were on the right track.
Some Agency people would be needed to assist in this
effort. An opportunity for a few minutes discussion with
the Director would be most helpful. Similar conversations
with several other select senior officials could help in
providing the background concern and interest.
5. In the event that this effort were not productive,
the consultants we recommend would be the first to discontinue
the attempt and turn their talents to a more productive invest-
ment of their time. On the other hand, if the problem were
dissectible in terms of human behavior, some promise for an
improved situation could emerge. Such a prospect would
invest all of us.
STATINTL
JOHN, R. TIETJEN, M. D.`_
Direc_t , of Medical Services -or
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