CLANDESTINE SERVICES' INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR VIETNAMESE.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-06217A000200020015-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2001
• Sequence Number: 15
• Content Type: REPORT

/ Approve$kor ReJaW.5 8 07 ~71 / ira~!aI/T/
Clandestine Services Incentive Program for Vietnamese.
First thought is that we do not have a regulation that permits the
DD to set up such a ue it is in the proposed regulation.
We are living under which expires May 69, and nothing is
there to provide for ncen ves.
STATINTL The paper from- says that once the DDS signature cites approval
the program will go into effect. DDS signed 19 July
Briefly, the program is to provide QSIs for various stages of success
in.achieving proficiency in Vietnamese. (Bob Wattles recon efded that
these be called Language Proficiency Increases) (Wording of proposed
lang reg must be changed since QSI is used in text.)
Rationale here for such increases is based on the short-term usability
of the language in contrast to Russian, Arabic, Chinese, etc.
Workings:
Training required for Courtesy and Elementary level increases.
After 16 wks of study and Courtesy level in Reading, Speaking
and Understanding -- aa,LPI
After 44 wks and Elementary in the three elements, another LPI
Both must be based on OTR testing ---"certification"it is called
in the paper.
Intermediate level -- another LPI and so with High. These latter
successes are thought to be only achieved thru field assignment -- so
when a fellow returns, he is OTR tested and awarded accordingly.
The program is retroactive insofar as it applies tbthose presently
in training and toxi1i who complete training after July first 68.
Pre-July 68 students are out of luck. They can get the increases if
they attain a level higher than what they had after training, provided
they had Elementary proficiency. So their goal has to be Intermediate
i1 High.
(Ben's question, I think, is answered here. The fellow gets the PLIs
gradually -- as I interpret the text --- not 2 at one time when he
achieves the Elementary level.)
STATINTL
The LPIs are budgeted for by the CS. Whence had an incentives program
before 0Th picked up the tab.
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 ti
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Support
Incentive Program for Study
of the Vietnamese Language
5 years. CS personnel most qualified to fulfill this
more classical CS lines. Currently a requirement exists
to select, train and assign to the Saigon Station and
headquarters over the next 12 - 18 months 30 Vietnamese
linguists. In addition, replacements must be trained in
interpreter requirements. This need has been evident
since the expansion of the Saigon Station several years
ago. As you are aware, Vietnamese is a difficult and
complex language, requiring 12 to 18 months to achieve a
basic proficiency. In addition, Vietnamese is not a
language that has general operational-utility such as
Russian, Chinese and Arabic, etc. For these reasons, CS
officers are not attracted to the study of Vietnamese as
a long range investment in their careers.
3. It is envisaged that the need for Vietnamese
linguists at the Saigon Station will continue to increase,
particularly during the current emergency and to a lesser
but equally important extent after hostilities when the
station commences to redirect its operational effort along
for CS personnel selected to study the Vietnamese language
prior to assignment to the Saigon Station or to other
Vietnam operations positions. A recommendation relative
to this.proposal is submitted in paragraph 5 below for
your approval.
2. The Far East Division is in need of qualified
Vietnamese linguists to fulfill case officer and translator/
1. This memorandum recommends an incentive program
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requirement are the young Career Trainees, Professional
Trainees, and certain middle level (GS-12 - GS-13) ?
officers, In view of the priority to assign Vietnamese
linguists to Vietnam Operations, the length of-time
required to achieve a basic proficiency and the general
lack: of appeal to CS personnel to study the language,
it is submitted that a modest incentive program to
encourage the study of Vietnamese is proper and in keeping
with continuing CS interest to improve our foreign language
inventory.
4. As a guide in submitting this proposal, cognizance
has been taken of the Department of State's language
incentive program. The Department has instituted incentives
which provide for payment of within-class (GS Quality Step
Increase) salary increases for language proficiency acquired
prior to entry into the service and for proficiency acquired
in certain designated languages after entry. The Depart-
ment's program is managed according to the needs of the
Department and difficulty.in learning the language. In
addition, as you are aware the proposed revision of the CIA
Language Development Program regulation places responsi-
bility on the Deputy Directors for establishing incentives
for foreign language study., specifically, Quality Step
Increases for study of a Directorate priority language
and recognition of language competence as a factor in
promotion.
5. Towards encouraging study of the Vietnamese
language by CS officers selected for assignment to the
Saigon Station and other Vietnam operations positions,
the Deputy Director for Support approval is requested for
establishment of the following incentive program:
a. When the CS officer is selected and enters
intensive Vietnamese language training, a salary
increase will become effective as follows:
(1) One Quality Step Increase effective
the first pay period following OTR certification
of successful completion of 16 weeks of fulltime
intensive Vietnamese language training and attain-
ment of a Courtesy level proficiency.
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(2) One additional Quality Step Increase
proficiency.
OTR of successful completion of a total of 44
weeks ful]time intensive Vietnamese language
training(or''attainment of an Elementary level
the first pay period following certification by
(3) One additional Quality Step Increase
this 1anEuaze incentive program must be assigned to a
b. CS officers eligible for participation in
from overseas.)
(4) One additional Quality Step Increase the
first pay period following OTR certification of
attainment of a High level of proficiency.
(Note: It is env sxoned that Intermediate and
High level proficiency will norm aiI-yattained
w"1iTe overseas, Certification by OTR of these
proficiency levels will be accomplished at the
earliest practical date after the officer returns
the first pay period following OTR certification
of attainment of an intermediate level proficiency.
Intermediate or Y~gh proxlcioncy,
n.,.14+v C1-cw Tnnrea.ses awarded for attainment of
J
July 1968 and who have achieved an OTR recorded pro-
- _- _ _ _. _ 9 ! ..._ S L 1 _. .?.... -1 .. ~ ryn
training after 1 July 1968< CS officers who
anguge age
la
d. The incentive provisions of paragraph 5 a.(l)
.(2) above will apply to CS personnel currently enrolled
__A r4o
within the respective level of proficiency,
basis of speaking, understanding and reading ability
c incentives cited above-will be awarded on the
Vietnamese language training program approved by
Chief, FE Division.
Vietnam operations position and their entry into -Gnu,
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e . This language incentive p-~?~.
....: , ,
_
ra
b
effe
i
-
ve uyva approval by the Deputy Director
'PAN C,?max--4.
e
W-Cainment Or that level. ~, .
3 as with W1}>, Office of Personnel w ll adjust timing of effective dates .0
LPVs vis>a-viia PSI a to avaict nalti
pe
ea
( psxa ra; s d be published.
ph 5.a(2) 'should. read "--training with attainment of as elementar
level.. proficiency or upon eexli
r
l ~a6e af ,cien(y Increases and en
a; :ropriate eDecific regxlatimn h
SJ) 'thee pits should be Called I.
P
5I N D ? R. L. C nnsrtttae
Coxtcur Provided:
o p
es t layees concerned.
Robert S.?, 1%ttlee
.E;o er a t es
. Director of Personnel
h
above is approved: agrap 5
pproved: as amended by Director of Personnel
/s/ Thomas 11. K -UFam asp 3s '
Thomas H. Karamessines
Deputy Director for Plans
The recommendation contained in ar '
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 Approved For Re se'2001/08/07 ? ;CJ 78-0621 7AOj 00cf T i 46"3
4 July 1968
A 1 MORANDUM FOR: Chief, Fr. Division
SUBJECT I Incentive Program for the Study
of the Vietnamese Language.
B.FFERENCE
Memo for DDS from DDP, dated
IS July 1968, subject as above,.
(DDP 8.2882)
1. Referent mornorandum, attached. grants approval by
the Deputy Director for Support to establish within the CS an
Incentive program for the Study of the Viotnar eae laeuguaga.
2. It is believed this program will aid in devr