PROSPECTS FOR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY SUPPLY OF RUSSIAN LINGUISTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00772A000100020026-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 3, 2004
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: February 8, 1978
• Content Type: MF

N"IAL
Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP80M00772A000100020026-0
February 8, 1978
IC 78-2304
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
0
SUBJECT: Prospects for Intelligence Community Supply
of Russian Linguists
REFERENCE: DCI Memorandum dated 1 September 1977,
Subject: Russian Linguists (ER 77-8461)
1. Action Requested: That you sign the attached memorandum,
which tasks e NFIB Ad Hoc Task Force on the Linguistic Problem to
develop a series of initiatives designed to improve the recruiting,
retention and qualifications of linguists.
I
Deputy to e U6i Resource Management
Background:
a. In the referenced memorandum, you expressed concern
about the prospects and possible shortfalls in the supply of
Russian linguists. In order to assess this situation through-
out the Community, the members of the NFIB Ad Hoc Task Force
on the Linguistic Problem, which was established last year,
were tasked to provide information from their organizations on
the availability, training and use of Russian linguists. A
report was prepared aggregating experiences throughout the
Community.
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SUBJECT: Prospects for Intelligence Community supply of Russian
Linguists
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c. In an attempt to improve the supply and upgrade the
skills of their linguists, most Community organizations have
strengthened their recruiting efforts, some are intensifying
their training programs, and others are attempting to improve
their personnel management procedures and systems. While these
measures will bring some relief, the report asserts that they
must be augmented by other efforts, including national-level
support, if shortfalls are to be averted.
d. The Task Force has found that linguist-associated
problems generally impact all languages, not only Russian.
Therefore, actions to address the Community's linguist problems
should not focus only on problems associated with the supply
and use of Russian linguists. The actions that can be under-
taken right away are:
(1) to establish an inventory of Community
resources and develop improved estimates of
current and future requirements;
(2) to develop and adopt a collaborative
Community linguist recruiting program among
intelligence agencies; and
(3) to develop and underwrite financial and
psychic incentive programs to enhance the attract-
iveness'and prestige of linguist positions.
Additional areas that should be addressed are:
(1)
the problem of attrition among SCA linguists;
(2) certification and periodic retesting of
linguistic proficiency; and
(3) programs for language training and related
skills development and maintenance.'
CON Fl DENTAL
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 Approved For Release 2004/05/21 : CIA-RDP80M00772A000100020026-0
SUBJECT: Prospects for Intelligence Community Supply of Russian
Linguists
a. Although the Community agencies recognize the
problem and are attempting to deal with it, greater emphasis
is required.
b. You can generate this impetus by:
(1) giving the effort greater visibility as a
DCI priority requirement;
(2) providing an administrative mechanism for
focusing attention and resources on those particular
language and skill requirements to which we must pro-
vide special incentives in order to attract and retain
needed personnel.
c. In sponsoring the foregoing, we should avoid a program
that would, in reality or in appearance, "nationalize" the manage-
ment of linguist personnel with respect to placement and utiliza-
tion.
Attachment
Proposed memo to NFIB from DCI,
subject: Intelligence Community
Linguist Resources, w/att: NFIB
Ad Hoc Task Force Report on
Prospects for IC Supply of Russian
Linguists
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Approved For Release 2004/05/21 CIA-RDP80M00772A000100020026-0
- Addressee
- D/OPP
- D/OPBD
- ES/NFIB
- ER
- D/DCI/RM Chrono
- IC Registry
- D/OPEI
- PAID Subject
- PAID Chrono
DCI/RM/OPEI/PAID 7 February 1978
Approved For Release /
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