NATIONAL INTERDEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-06362A000200010003-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2002
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: October 28, 1971
• Content Type: MF

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State Dept. declassification & release instructions on file
1. The attached is a summary of some of the points about the
National Interdepartmental Seminar which Mr. Bob Matteson, an old
friend, raised with me at lunch on 22 October. I am sure they are not
new to you. During our discussion I suggested a couple of additional
items.
28 October 1971
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Support
Director of Training
SUBJECT : National Interdepartmental Seminar
z: ~~-Y.V fr,istrp
2. I applauded the course's change in focus and said that I hope
its name might also eventually be changed. I suggested, however, the
development of a clear explanation of the way in which this course fits
as an integrated element into the training programs of the separate
agencies. I pointed out that there is no difficulty in securing applica-
tions or commitment of time for some of the well-established courses,
such as the National War College, the Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy,
the better external training, midcareer courses, and even basic train-
ing. The normal attitude, however, is that time spent at this course
is off the _man thrust of individual agency interests and programs. If
each agency could show that exposure to this pro ram is an inherent
and necessary element in the career development of its officers, it
would be easier to establish it as a regular program.
3. The purpose of the course being the explanation of foreign
policy operations, its i ht be_a,P,p priae or the De artme _
P xofState
to take the leadr ....insisting that senior officers proceeding to overseas
missions take the course for the benefits it would offer in effective
coordination in the overseas missions. If this would involve too many
people, the requirement for attendance might be set at a certain grade
level, i. e. , all those above a certain grade level or those taking a
certain position level in overseas missions. This would of course put
the major thrust of the course on people actually proceeding to over-
seas missions and might cause the course to be aimed primarily at
individuals within the agencies who actually plan to be assicnP I ryer-
seas, e.g.,
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which is the normal annual leave span, seems not to cause any great
problem in most agencies. Mr. Matteson pointed out the broad cover-
age included in the present course but said that he thought it might
well be possible to reduce its length and still maintain its important
elements. I did not make the point to him, but I suggest that any prun-
ing of the course point its main thrust at teaching the actual interaction
between the various agencies rather than discussing the substance of
foreign policy problems.
5. Mr. Matteson said that he would look into some of these ele-
ments to see whether some variation in the current pattern might be
formed. I said that I would pass along my thoughts to Mr. Cunningham,
who has done such good work in this over-all field, for follow-up on
our side. I should appreciate your comments on the above points.
25X1A
William E. Colby
Acting Executive Director -Comptroller
4. I suggested that consideration be given to reducing the length
of the course from three weeks to two. Three weeks raises the prob-
lem of the absence of an officer from his busy schedule. Two weeks,
cc: DD/P
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strAET -
 NATIONAL INTERDEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR - -!' 3
FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20520
October 22, 1971
Mr. William Colby
Executive Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
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This is by way of summarizing in writing
some of the points made at lunch today:
1. The National Interdepartmental Seminar
(NIS) is a three-week course held six times
a year for selected senior U.S. officials posted
either in the United States or abroad. The
grades are GS-15 through GS-18; FSO-3 through
Ambassador; Lt. Colonel through General. The
next seminar is November 1-19; the following ones
in FY-1972 are: January 10-28, March 6-24, and
May 8-26.
2. The quota of CIA is eight for each of
the six seminars. CIA would prefer a quota of
four for each seminar.
STAT
4. The pay off is great in terms of re-
moving parochialism, stressing interdepartmental
coordination in national security policy formulation
and implementation. Mr. Helms, in one of his
previous communications, pointed out that he
thought the NIS has "an important role to play"
and he noted "the balanced interagency interplay,
among the participants". The last seminar in
September-October was rated a "six" on a scale
of "one" (low) to "seven" (high) by all of the
participants attending. By the five CIA attendees
it; was also rated "six" and each of them
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recommended that CIA continue to send key
personnel to the seminar.
5. The focus of the course has moved from
"counterinsurgency" to foreign policy in general
with special emphasis on the decision-making
process. It is divided into an analysis of
present U.S. policy; the modernization process;
domestic factors affecting U.S. policy; and
foreign policy problems and perspectives. One
of the great assets is the high number of
outstanding speakers and resource people it
commands. At the last seminar it had Dean Acheson,
Carl Rowan, Marshall Green, David Broder,
George Lodge, and others. The half day at CIA
was outstanding.
6. The major problem in most agencies is
getting supervisors to spring people for the
three weeks. The model of how to do it is the
military who program people well ahead of time as
a matter of career development into each of the
six seminars. They are the only ones who regularly
meet their quota and meet it well ahead of time.
A second major problem is to insure selection of
participants at the proper level and to insure
that all parts of the agency are represented. In
CIA's case, the quota of eight is theoretically
broken down into three from DDP, two from DDI,
two from Support, and one from DDST.
Your assistance in giving command emphasis
to the NIS among CIA supervisors would be greatly
appreciated.
Best regards,
Sincerely,
Robert E. Matteson
Deputy Chairman
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