MIDCAREER EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT COURSE(MEDC) NO. 19 26 JANUARY - 7 MARCH 1969 COURSE REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00536A000200040001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 26
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 27, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 7, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

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MIDCAREER COURSE NO. 19
26 January - 7 March 1969
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Midcareer Executive Development Course (MEDC) No, 19
26 January - 7 March 1969
COURSE REPORT
I. General Observations
The winter running of Midcareer Executive Development
Course (MEDC) No. 19--from 26 January through 7 March
1969--was a satisfying one from an administrative viewpoint
since the class seemed to be an especially good one, and
there were surprisingly few difficulties for that particular
season of the year. Possibly not as exuberant or 'class'-
conscious as the 17th nor as individualistic as the 18th,
members of the 19th Midcareer Course seemed to be a very
thoughtful and conscientious group, more than willing, for
example, to stay with guest speakers for discussions beyond
the time of the formal presentations. In their final over-all
critique of the course, the Midcareerists expressed their
appreciation of the training opportunity they had just had,
using such remarks as: "excellent course"... most stimulating
and beneficial"... "greatest thing that ever happened to me"...
and... "well-conceived and executed. IT Yet the students were
at the same time thoughtful in their suggestions for making
improvements in the course, wondering whether the guest
speakers might put more emphasis on personnel and Directorate
problems, whether certain topics might be handled on a
functional basis, and whether the discussions should not involve
the students more.
Statistically, the 34 members of MEDC No. 19 came from
the following Agency components--1 from the Office of the
Director, 7 from the Intelligence Directorate, 3 from the
Science and Technological Directorate, 15, from the Clandestine
Service, and 8 from the Support Services. About two-thirds of
the class were GS-13's, one-third were in the GS-14 category,
and there was one GS-15. The average age of the class--41. 9--
was about one year more than the average age for all classes
during the past two years, but just under the average of the
18th Class, with a student age range of from 30 years to 49.
The length of Agency service for the 19th MEDC averaged at
13 years, with that of individual students ranging from only
4 years to 19 ROUP i
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Despite the appearance of a number of problems during
the running of the course, none proved to be serious. Poor
weather caused the delay only in the start of Phase II. The
Director's restriction on his Executive Staff during the immediate
weeks of the change-over of Administrations eliminated the
anticipated participation of the four Deputy Directors during the
phase of the course, but the schedule was adjusted
to have the class return one day early to Headquarters and meet
with a joint panel of the four Deputies. When the Convair was
sold about two weeks prior to the field trip, came to the
rescue and provided a C-118 to take the class on the final tour. 25X1A
Despite some snowy weather, the field trip went off without a
hitch, and the delayed blast-off of Apollo 9 did not prevent the
class from visiting Cape Kennedy--the high point of the tour.
The final day coincided, by chance, with the successful visit
to Headquarters of President Nixon, but the Director, following
the President's return to the White House, met with the class
for some 40 minutes in the USIB Conference Room.
II. Opening and Conclusion
The Executive Director-Comptroller opened the 19th MEDC
on 22 January 1969 in the USIB Conference Room and congratulated
the Midcareerists on their selection to the course, pointing up
the opportunities facing them in the six-weeks' training. Colonel
White also hinted that he might be seeing them later in the course;
this possibility, however, was forestalled for the 19th Class by
the restriction of the Executive Staff to the Headquarters area.
The final climax of the course was the 7 March 1969 meeting
with the Director, who despite his escorting of the President
around the Headquarters Building on the same afternoon, still
spent some 40 minutes with the members of the 19th Class. Of
the approximately 15 questions the Midcareerists asked of
Mr. Helms, at least three dealt with the problems of management
and personnel. The Director told the Midcareerists that the
strength of the Agency lay in the quality of its personnel and in
the competence of the Agency's performance. Referring to the
questions raised about "deadwood" in the Agency, the Director
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cryptically remarked that no one had ever come to him and
volunteered himself as being "deadwood"; it always seemed to
refer to someone else! He told the class members that if
they had any suggestions for solving personnel or other problems,
his "door was always open". He did ask them to be sure first,
however, that their suggestions were well-thought-out.
Prior to the concluding appearance of Mr. Helms, the
class heard Dr. Harold Saunders - now a member of
Dr. Kissinger's NSC Staff and formerly a staff member for
Messrs. Bundy and Rostow - discuss the significance of the
National Security Council to the President and the place of
intelligence vis-a-vis policy.
III. PHASE I (Managerial Grid)
Twenty-eight members of the 19th MEDC took the Managerial
25X1A Grid during the first week of the portion of the course.
These were divided into four teams for the week's work on the
1 problems of management under the direction of Messrs. - 25X1A
25X1A - Six Midcareerists had taken the Grid previously.
As with earlier classes, the 19th Midcareerists recognized
the value of the Grid in pointing up various management styles
and in showing each student how his direction appeared to others.
One Midcareerist said that the Grid should be mandatory for all
supervisors, whether they were heads of sections, branches, or
other units. Another urged the Agency to use at least three
phases of the Grid. The value of having the pre-work completed
by the start of the course was re-emphasized by the class, and a
number of the students felt sufficiently impressed with the final
evaluation of the teams' organization culture that they suggested
giving more time to this aspect.
IV. PHASE II (CIA and the Intelligence Community)
The usual impact made by the start of Phase II--covering
the Agency and the Intelligence Community--was delayed from
the beginning to the end of the first day by foggy weather. To
fill the time gap, the staff arranged a class bus tour of the base
Sid.
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and moved up some administrative matters. By mid-afternoon
Messrs. Hugh Cunningham and had arrived but
25X1A without who had to cancel out. In the remain-
ing time both Mr. Cunningham and especially in
the informal evening session at stirred up the class
thinking on the problems facing not only the Agency but the
Intelligence Community generally.
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The restriction, of the four Deputy Directors to the
Headquarters area and their resultant inability to meet informally
with the Midcareerists in the ideal atmosphere was a
disappointment to the 19th MEDC, but the readjusted schedule,
which brought the class back one day early to Langley to meet
with the Deputy Director Panel, and the able task performed
generally by the Assistant Deputies went a long way to salve this
feeling. In contrast to the same period in the preceding 18th
running, there was no great let-down in any of the component
presentations. If any component suffered more than any other--
and not much at that--it was the Intelligence Directorate segment
because of the numerous substitutions of speakers, since Messrs.
Godfrey, Clarke, and Allen were unable to leave Headquarters.
In this running, the Clandestine Service portion came up strong
with good presentations from Messrs.
and , in addition to those Agency officers who
participated in the previous running.
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The individual student presentations, which apparently
have always been popular since instituted them in 25X1A
1965, made an especial impression on the members of the 19th
MEDC. There was general agreement in the class that the
student talks were extremely worthwhile to the group as a whole
and provided valuable supplements to the presentations of the
guest speakers. Many urged that the time for the student
discussions be expanded.
The availability of to the Midcareer Class, 25X1A
barring the first week when it was used for another course, was
highly praised by the 19th Midcareerists as having helped
significantly in 'breaking the ice' between speakers and students
during the luncheon break but especially during the informal
evening sessions. This asset was noted as providing a real
advantage to the portion of the course- -something
which was missed upon the return to the Headquarters area.
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The return to Langley one day early to meet with the
four Deputy Directors in a one-and-a-half hour session was
welcomed by the class. Subsequent student comments indicate,
however, a general feeling that the individual appearances by
25X1A each Deputy Director in the - atmosphere at 25X1A
provides each Deputy with a more unrestricted and informal
contact with the class, thus promoting a better exchange
between the component chiefs and the Midcareerists.
In the Headquarters portion of Phase II the class got a
personal tour by Mr. John Clark of his PPB Situation Room,
or "Tank", which added a great deal to the understanding of
the PPB problems. The additional Headquarters tours--one
of the Signal Center and the other of the CIA Operations Center--
were both well-received by the class, as were the remaining
Agency presentations. The best Intelligence Community
presentation was that of Mr. William McAfee of INR in the
Department of State. One student urged more time be devoted
to the Department of State, especially a discussion by an
.officer in one of the policy bureau's. The class did not go as
well for the NSA briefings as did predecessor groups, despite
the excellent introduction by General Carter, feeling that there
was too much on organization and not enough of open discussion.
Vice Admiral Showers gave his usual acceptable talk on the DI.A,
but the FBI presentation did not seem to have a great deal of
substance.
V. PHASE III (U.S. Government and World Affairs)
Phase III, covering the U.S. Government and World Affairs,
proved to be especially successful for the 19th MEDC. Several
of the "regulars" did even better than in recent runnings--e. g. ,
Professor Charles Burton Marshall, Dr. Kenneth Landon,
Ambassador Badeau, and Hyman Bookbinder- -while Professor
A. Doak Barnett gave a refreshing and penetrating analysis of
China. The only presentation which did not go over strongly
with the class was that of Professor Vernon McKay on South
Africa, and the student feeling here was that the subject was
not that important and a discussion of the entire continent of
Africa would have been of more interest.
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Areas covered by the speakers, mostly acamedicians,
were: the USSR, the Soviet Satellites, China, the Middle East,
South and Southeast Asia, Vietnam specifically, and South
Africa. In addition, the class heard a discussion of the limits
of U.S. Foreign Policy--the opening lecture--an explanation of
computers, a description of Congressional dynamics, the war
on poverty, and the problem of language communication.
VI. The Field Trip
Following the conclusion of Phase III, the 18th MEDC took
its field trip to the 90th Strategic Missile Wing at the Warren
Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming; the Sandia Corporation--
an AEC-controlled installation adjacent to the Sandia Base--in
Albuquerque, New Mexico; and to the JFK Space Center and the
Air Force Eastern Test Range at Cape Kennedy, Florida. The
hoped-for stop at Houston had to be cancelled since the NASA
personnel there were completely involved at that time with
monitoring Apollo 9.
Despite the fact that the first night stop at Cheyenne
found even the restaurants closed at night--other than those
of the Motel and the Officers Club--the class generally enjoyed
the briefings and hospitality of the Warren Air Force Base
and the visit by heliocopter to the underground missile control
complexes. The second stop at Albuquerque--a first for a
Midcareer Course--did not arouse too much student interest
despite the number of briefings and the tour of the KC-135.
The class seemed to feel that the briefers themselves felt too
restricted by the fact that the 19th MEDC did not have the over-
all Q clearance. The hosts, like those at the other stops,
were both warm in their hospitality and helpful to the visiting
Midcareerists.
The real climax of the trip was the visit to Cape Kennedy.
The day's schedule was improved over that of the last visit
there by the fact that the visit to the Air Force Eastern Test
Range was first- -including a tour of the Air Force Space
Museum--and the tour of the NASA installations, with a visit
to the mammoth Vehicular Assembly Building and the nearby
launch sites, came at the end of the day.
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For the first time the Midcareer Class made its field
trip using a C-118 (DC-6), which =obtained when the Convair
was suddenly sold. While the students had engaged in some 25X1A
joking prior to the trip about the slowness of the C-118, the
actual flight showed that the Air Force plane did not appreciably
lengthen the trip. Advantages were that the larger plane allowed
for greater space inside to move around, and the six-man Air
Force crew proved both efficient and helpful, arranging, for
example, for the class to get box lunches for the three longer
flights.
VII., Post-Course Conferences
Primarily as a result of Midcareerist questions to the
Director on the final day of the course regarding personnel and
management problems, the Chief of the Support School, the
Management Faculty, and the Midcareer Staff met with the
Director of Training to discuss the Midcareerist concern and
its implications. Subsequently, Mr. Richardson met with 12
representatives of the last class to hear the students"` personal
views, and later he presented his findings to the Director's
Executive Staff itself.
Following the 19th MEDC conclusion, memoranda we
sent to all the Deputy Directors noting that the 19th MEDC
ended and suggesting that each component chief meet with h
Midcareerists both to show senior officer interest in the
students and to obtain any student comments which might lead
to strengthening the course. By the end of March all four
Deputies had met with their members of the 19th MEDC.
VIII. Planning for Forthcoming Courses
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As with previous course runnings, the views of the Agency
senior officers, of the guest speakers, and of the 19th Midcareerists
themselves will be carefully weighed in planning the schedule
for the next course. The Executive Director-Comptroller
already mentioned to the 19th MEDC his interest in meeting with
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the class members during the phase, apparently
25X1A on the last evening at in order to field student
questions on the Agency as a whole. As a result of Dr. Proctor's
recent meeting with the 19th class members from the Intelligence
Directorate, the DD!I has requested that his presentation be
scheduled to follow, rather than to precede, the talks of other
officers in that component. In addition to Midcareerist
comments already mentioned, two members of the 19th running
have suggested more substantial changes which would possibly
limit the present number of Agency speakers and involve the
students more in either joint discussions or seminars. Within
the limits of a fairly tight program which has been successfully
built up over the years and with the realization that inevitably
changes desired by one group may conflict with possibly equal
valid desires by other individuals, the staff will endeavor to
meet the relevant suggestions offered.
The short period of time that will elapse between the end
of the forthcoming 20th MEDC and the beginning of the 21st
running--along with the need to alert guest speakers regarding
commitments in the summer vacation months--will necessitate
working out the schedules for the May-June and the July-August
courses almost at the same time.
With good weather in prospect, administrative problems
for the staff do not look serious, especially since the Midcareer25X1A
Course always receives strong support from them during
25X1A the period and since ~ has now solved the 25X1A
transportation problem for the Field Trip. Possibly the only
administrative matter to smooth out is that of finding a completely
satisfactory room for speakers and Midcareerists alike when
the course returns to the Headquarters area from 25X1A
In the Magazine Building, Room 610 is much superior to Room
609, but during the past running the noise from the ventilation
system in 610 made it difficult for many of the students to hear
the speaker and vice-versa during the question period; so far
the Headquarters Rooms 1A-13 and 1A-07 seem to be the best
from the over-all hearing and seeing and the general speaker-
student communication standpoint.
Appended to this report are two Attachments to give
statistical information about the 19th Midcareer Class and to
provide the verbatim over-all critique comments of the Midcareerists.
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ATTACHMENT B
OVERALL VERBATIM COMMENTS
Midcareer Executive Development Course (MEDC) No. 19
26 January - 7 March 1969
Thirty-three of the thirty-four students in the Midcareer
Executive Development Course (MEDC) No. 19 wrote over-all
comments regarding the six-weeks' training program on the final
day of the course. These comments are printed verbatim below,
grouped together by the major Agency components in which the
Midcareerists work.
A. O/ D CI Midc ar e eri s t
''The Course appears to suffer from one major
deficiency; that is, it is not really a Midcareer Executive
Development Course but rather a Midcareer Exposure
Course. The emphasis is almost exclusively on acquaint-
ing Midcareerists with various facets of the Agency (which
is important) but too little effort is devoted to focusing the
Midcareerists on problems facing the Agency and efforts
underway to solve them. Nor is there any real effort to
genuinely encourage Midcareerists to participate in the
on-going problem-solving process. It seems to me that
the Course should be more loosely structured to accommo-
date (to some extent) the interests and desires of the
Midcareerists themselves. One means of doing this is to
organize at least part of the Course (say 5-10 days) around
attacking problems that cut across Directorate lines. These
problems could include personnel management, information
handling and processing, establishing priority, intelligence
requirements, etc. One day devoted to each of these major,
Agency-wide problems would involve organizing reading
material and Agency speakers in such a way as to encourage
wide-ranging and free-flowing discussion and to keep to a
minimum formal presentations. Perhaps after 5 or 6 years
of the Course, it is time to review its organization and purposes,
especially Part II, so as to adapt the Course to the needs of
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the 1970's, as opposed to 'the way it was done' in the 1950's
and 1960s. Such a 'curriculum' review could be done by a
group of senior Directorate representatives, OTR faculty
and individuals selected from the last several runnings of
the Course. It should be added that given the current
structure of the Course, the experience has been very
worthwhile. The speakers have taken their presentations
seriously, coverage has been comprehensive and the
Course administered ably and efficiently. Special plaudits
are due Messrs. for their roles and to
OTR for the time and e ort devoted to the Course. "
B. DDI Midcareerists
"The Course was very good. It taught me more about
the Agency in a few weeks than I had learned in nearly 20
years. It gave me a much better appreciation of where my
component fits into the over-all mission and effort of the
Agency. Of particular value was the opportunity to
associate with a cross-section of CIA for a period of several
weeks. The resultant exchange of opinions, information and
experience was robust and very stimulating. My appreciation
and understanding of the other Agency components was greatly
increased, as was my appreciation of the value of my com-
ponent. "
"In general, I see the course as one of genuine value
and interest. I've been given a tangible grid against which
to measure, on a continuing basis, my managerial capacities.
I've had an opportunity to discuss, on a frank and open basis,
some points of Agency operations with those who are re-
sponsible for them. I've had the opportunity also to hear the
outside tell it like they see it, and had the pleasure of seeing,
close-up and first-hand, some of the muscle available to
this country. As a general criticism, I would like to observe
that there did not seem to be enough emphasis on the aspects
of management as they influence operations and the conduct
of the missions of various Agency components. Perhaps this
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could be suggested to future speakers as a theme for inclusion
in their forthcoming presentations. Certainly it is a legitimate
concern of CIA's middle management. My over-all reaction:
GREAT."
"There is little doubt in my mind that the course over-
all is anything other than excellent. In spite of a few 'lows'
the course was well administered, formated, and executed.
It was unfortunate in some respects that the time element
in some areas was so restricted. The M. O. at 25X1A
enabled one to extend that to some degree. The informal
discussions with other students was invaluable and in many
respects could be weighted more than the formal portions
and its content. Messrs. and the OTR 25X1A
staff are to be congratulate .
"This has been an excellent course, and I'm glad I had
a chance to participate. I've been led to a re-evaluation of
my past career(s) in various components of the Agency, and
I have been led to a new appreciation of the concerted efforts
of a vast number of people concerned with a variety of tasks. "
"The best training experience I have ever had. In the
earlier critiques I have commented on the program, substance
and speakers, giving over-all impressions. The only comment
I wish to add now is to thank the Agency for a truly unique
experience, and to thank Messrs. for much 25X1A
effort to make it so. "
"The MEDC is well-conceived and well-executed, but
suffers from being rigid in approach and pedestrian in content.
If I were running it, I would take a much looser approach. The
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grid week provided a beginning class structure and the proto-
type of an organization. This was never taken advantage of.
I would proceed as follows: the second week should be devoted
to a few key speakers, with the rest of the time devoted to
individual presentations and seminars. During this period
the class could define the kinds of intelligence collection,
production, and management problems that were of interest,
and arrangements could be made to obtain experts and
speakers to address these problems. The seminar approach
to key problems could be mixed in with a continuing series of
key speakers providing the intelligence community overview
on which the course is now narrowly focused. A course
responsive to class interests and concerns in combination
with the present tour d'horizon would be more interesting
and effective than the present set-piece presentation. As
much time as possible--four of the six weeks--should be at
The interaction within the class is as valuable as
t e formal presentations, and should be maximized by more
informal time, longer individual presentations, and problem-
oriented seminars among class members and with guest
speakers. The 'world-week' probably has to be at Headquarters
for security reasons. The speakers there were good, but
for the purposes of this course their presentations should be
directed more at pressures on U. S. policy and the kind of
information and understanding the U. S. will need to cope.
This would be of direct interest to intelligence officers
whatever the target that faces them. The trip is an excellent
idea, but the hosts need more guidance on what is expected.
Too much of the time was spent in 'show-and-tell' and 'see
the hardware. " A good solid briefing on a program, its
concepts, evaluation, purpose, and status should open the
day, followed by a tour. This would have more meaning
than just looking at steel and concrete. I don't think our
hosts showed much understanding or imagination. It would
be worth it to send some one to visit them in advance and
discuss and approve the schedule. The final critique should
include an oral session in which the class could as a group
give guidance to the course managers. "
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C. DDS&T Midcareerists
"Excellent! The course presented me with an opportunity
to become acquainted with the Agency. It is very worthwhile
to have some knowledge about what is done and who is re-
sponsible. The environment provided by M the individual
presentations, and the field trip are all excellent mechanisms
for becoming acquainted with the kinds and calibre of people
within the Agency. "
25X1A
"I enjoyed the course very much. Only weak part was
that the trip was not long enough! The organization was good
and our leaders kept us to the schedule very well considering
the number of places and people involved. Suggest a better
airplane next time. I believe if it could be arranged, four
weeks of the course should be held at tnd two weeks 25X1A
otherwise. Concentration, candidness, and participation is
25X1A better at the _ atmosphere. "
"The course could be made more valuable in the following
1. Unless the course is prepared to go all the way
with the Management Grid, it is disrespectful to
the individual participants to play at the game.
At times the impression was given that the manage-
ment is just not sincere about the whole problem.
2. If the group is to visit Sandia again, suggest every
effort .be made to get R/D clearances or not go.
Suggest the group go to the one week Sandia course
as part of the six weeks.
3. Suggest the informal discussion at in the
evening not involve more than two members from
the various Directorates. Suggest the DD'S not be
present while subordinates are talking.
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4. No more Deputy Director group panels since they
could hard .y be frank in the environment.
5. Individual presentations could be helped to some
degree by professional assistance in preparing
presentations.
6. Suggest the individual presentations during the
Phase III, that less time be devoted to critiques,
more presentations a day, and use different class
room at Magazine - almost impossible to hear in
back of the room.
7. Discourage the competitive 'bull' between DD'
We all work for CIA. "
D. DDS Midcareerists
"I think this is an excellent course and certainly the high
point in my career with this outfit. I consider it a great honor
to participate. It will hold great value if for no other reason
than having the opportunity to meet the highest managers and
listen to their views. It provided me with a well-rounded per-
spective of the entire outfit which I had not had before. "
25X1A
"The course had provided me with a vast knowledge of
Agency operations in which I Lind a great deal of satisfaction,
This knowledge will certainly benefit me in understanding the
intelligence gathering aspects of the Agency and how we in
the Support Field may provide assistance 4 *dough a better 4
understanding of the problems. Phase III of the course was
the most interesting and provided a look at the outside develop-
ments and trends in world affairs. An excellent course-
well planned and executed. A must for further development
of Agency careerists. "
"Messrs. and all those in OTR who
put together this Course s ould be commended for their efforts.
I found it a most rewarding experience from start to finish,
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One highlight in this Midcareer course for me was the chance
to share in the wealth of experience contained in the class
itself. This, in its own way, was as important as any formal
Phase of the course. In conclusion, Midcareer Course #19
was the most worthwhile six weeks I have spent in many years.
The course is well organized and managed. The agendas
are typical and the coverage is most effectively handled. The
course presents an excellent opportunity to assimulate our
thoughts, in some cases beliefs, in respect to other govern-
mental activities, both in and out of the intelligence community
and their relationships, if any. There are insights to be
extracted and evaluated. It is obvious that the speakers and
topics are chosen with care and consideration. Not all the
speakers are as effective in their presentations as others,
but then this is the reality of things--each has a viewpoint, some
with much, some with little justification and our job- -think
about the matters, accept and reject! ! The expense of this
course cannot be overlooked. It is costly. Balancing the
expense, however, is the experience and exposures gained by
the participating course members and the future applications
which hopefully will be more effectively transacted. Also not
to be overlooked in the administration of the course is the
first-rate handling of the numerous matters by Messrs.
25X1A and -. Not only did these gentlemen participate in t e
spirit of the course and group but not once did they lose sight
of its purpose. Their concern for the course material and
participants was outstanding and contributed greatly to the
successful operation of all the sessions and the entire course.
Equally important is the in-house benefits to be gained by the
joint experiences and discussions among the class members
as contemporaries and as future references. "
"I feel that the course as a whole was excellent. The
organization was good. The expansion was logical (Phase I,
II and III) and with some few exceptions was well executed. The
25X1A
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The few exceptions were generally of an individual nature and
were cited under critiques of the individuals concerned. The
reading material was too extensive for the time allowed for
reading it. If the classification (Phase II) were reduced,,the
possibility of reading all of it would have been increased.
As it is, I'll insure the material gets read and I'll submit
comments that I feel are appropriate later. I would recommend
accenting the value of writing critiques the same day a speaker
has been heard. I recognize that I got behind the eight-ball for
not doing this myself. The indicators were there but I didn't
react and the result was a cutting into my reading time for the
Phase III work. Not to be ignored is the opportunity to get
to know a good bunch of guys with some common bonds and
interests but in divergent fields that would otherwise be apt
to remain unknown. I do feel more accent could be given to
management aspects of 'Executive Development'. "
"On the whole the course is very good. "
25X1A
"F'or the first time in my career, I feel I have an idea of
the over-all missions and functions of the Agency. I consider
the contacts I have made with my classmates to be highly
valuable. Messrs. do an excellent job of
keeping the class toge er an seeing o a successful course.
"The Midcareer Course presents a very real opportunity
to all who are elected to attend. Considered in the light of
the speakers we heard, the opportunity to question and receive
frank and informative answers, the wealth of subject matter,
the variety thereof and its pertinence to the world today, this
course is, in my estimation, a reward and a privilege to attend.
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E. DDP Careerists
The course as a whole was well balanced, had depth,
provided us with a better perspective of intelligence matters,
national and world affairs. It focused on the role of the
technological and human factors in these affairs. It provided
us with an opportunity to stop, think and evaluate our national
objectives and to determine where we fit in and what we possibly
can do to contribute in our own way to our national objectives.
It also provided us with some good lessons for evaluating our
management methods. In sum, it was stimulating and
rewarding. "
"The course lived up to my expectations. The Grid was
more interesting and enjoyable than I expected. Though a few
of our lecturers were not as good as they might have been the
topics covered were well-chosen and informative. A great
deal was learned. The course is indispensable to an over-
all appreciation of the Agency's role in diverse fields and a
good esprit d'corps was created by the close association of
the group over the six-weeks period. It was great!"
"The greatest thing that has happened to me in my career
in the Agency. This, not only for the value of the course and
all the knowledge imparted by each lecture, but for the friends
made in each part of the Agency. The fact that I now under-
stand the functions of other parts of the Agency better was worth
my taking the course. Messrs. are two 25X1A
people especially suited for running a course of this kind. Two
great guys and both perfect gentlemen. This course is certainly
the best given by the Agency. In future job situations, I feel
sure I'll be able to solve problems better by knowing more
about the over-all Agency, and in some ways the:._ knowledge
gained in Grid week will help me. "
a
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81 t HE f
"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel that it is well-
conceived and, generally, well-organized. Some minor
improvements could be made in the quality of the guest pre-
sentations, but the topics covered are timely and useful. I
do not feel that I have been 'trained' in this course, or that
I will be a better manager because of it, but I do have a much
better perspective regarding the place of my job, my directorate,
and the Agency as a whole in the U. S. Government and in the
world. "
"One of the best training courses I have attended in the
Agency. Well organized and managed. Strong points far
outnumber weak ones. "
"My reactions to the Midcareer Course are uniformly
favorable. For the first time during my career, I have a
good appreciation for the role and functions of the various
components and their relationship to the mission of the Agency
as a whole. I appreciate the opportunity and privilege to have
attended this course. At the present time, the course is divided
into three facets: (a) The Grid (Management), (b) The Agency
and the Intelligence Community, and (c) World Affairs. You
might consider enlarging the Planning and Programming
lecture by John Clark and make this a separate and additional
Phase. PPBS is becoming more important in the Agency and to
the Agency with each passing year. A two or three day seminar
could be devoted to this aspect whereby the students work on
a unique, external, management planning problem which has
application to the Agency. The techniques which could be
learned through this seminar would be very helpful. The
Midcareer group would be the proper level for the input of
PPBS concepts as it is at this level that the Programs are
written. PPBS is equally as important to the Agency at the
present time as personnel administration (The Grid). "
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"I have already covered this in the Phase III comment -
but to summarize: The course impressed me most favorably.
It is a unique opportunity to gain insight into the Organization
and many of its activities. I have long waited to go - and I was
not disappointed in the course to any significant extent. Several
things about it might have been changed for the better - but I
dorft regard these as major and I have covered these in separate
critiques. In addition to appreciating the course material, I
value the personal associations with the other students and staff'-
that I experienced. "
'As a whole, I found this course to be most stimulating
and beneficial. Without a doubt, it broadened the horizons of
the average Midcareerist and provided him with a better
understanding of his individual role, the role of his particular
office and organization in the broad general U. S. Government
apparatus. At the same time, I feel that the course results in
giving the individual participant a new vigor and impetus to
continue and perfect his own endeavors within the organization.
Moreover, it eeems to dispell the individual's more parochial
view of his organization which he tends to develop after a time
and replaces it with a better and more realistic understanding
of his role and that of his organization. "
"There is no doubt that this is an excellent course. I
have a better formalized understanding of the application of
sound managerial principles, and a deeper and more accurate
knowledge of the Agency and the intelligence community. I
have been stimulated in conceiving new dimensions for analyzing
and understanding foreign affairs, pride and faith both in the
Agency and our country has been reinforced, and have made
friends with classmates for whom I developed respect. "
25X1A
"Generally speaking the Midcareer course is a most
rewarding and interesting experience, particularly for those
of us who have been overseas and need to catch up on develop-
ments not only within the Agency, but also throughout the
Government and the country as a whole. Messrs.
- are to be commended for their hard work in making
the 19th Midcareer course a success.
25X1A
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"The course is a good and a welcome break away from
office routine. It would be nice, however, if the Agency
speakers would deal less in generalities and more in specifics.
The biggest value lay in the obtaining of the 'big picture' and a
realization of just what is going on outside our own little
enclave. I enjoyed it very much. "
"Believe the course was extremely beneficial as pre-
viously indicated. This has been the first and only over-all
briefing on other component activities in my history with the
Organization. It also provides every member with a repository
of 'where can I seek help' on a particular problem. It also
provided an opportunity to become familiar with other members
of the organization who might be able to provide an assist in
days to come. "
"While there were a number of minor drawbacks, the
Midcareer Course was one of the best periods I have had in
the Agency. The course was a catalyst for considerable re-
thinking of my work and personal as well as organizational
goals. The result I believe has been a much clearer under-
standing of what I want to do and in which direction I want to
have the Agency move. "
"Excellent! However, a few comments and suggestions.
The course seems to have evolved and in the process to have
lost some of its (assumed) intended design. It would therefore
appear that it is time the course be looked at as a whole and
the content be adjusted as appropriate to accomplish the
purposes of the course. For example: why a lecture on
South Africa at the expense of one on the African continent?
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Why was the Indian Subcontinent not even mentioned? Should
'Political Developments in South America' or the 'Potential
for Communism in South America' be worth a speaker? The
trip should have goals - we should visit for a purpose - not
because of some accident like an invitation. "
"The course was excellent. It was perhaps too short and
another week could have been added in which students could
have learned more details about their own directorates. I
believe that the field trip should come after the first part is
completed, that is the part in Sitting for five 25X1A
weeks listening to lectures is a long time and the trip would
have broken it up. Also if placed in the middle it could be
extended to five full days. The course was very well managed
and ran very smooth. Both officers did a first class job. "
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