OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS-CRITICAL UNDERSTRENGTH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 2007
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: April 14, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6 !gistry
fJ O76/z
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Office of Communications - Critical Understrength
FROM:
EXTENSION
NO. -
Harry E.: Fitzwater
DDA
7D18 HQS
DATE 14 April 1983
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
INITIALS
to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
1? Director of Personnel
im:
5E13 HQS
Reco
i
i
th
h
ng
z
gn
at you
ave
2.
already taken a number of actions to
satisfy the requests made in 4.b. an
of the att
h
d
"I
-
.
ac
e
,
,
nevertheless,
3.
ave falwa ed this on the basis of
the offer to fund advertisir.2
costs and beli
th
i
i
a.
eve
ere
s mer
t
in the task force approach in
recruiting for OC. While the .75
derstren
th
ositi
h
b
g
p
on
as
een
5.
reduced somewhat in recent weeks, I
am afraid that .unless we maintain a
sustained recruitment program in
6.
this area, we will rapidly fall
behind again. Further, while we do
of know for sur
h
th
ill
e w
e
er we w
7.
et the 100 additional 1984 OC
positions at this time, it is reason
able to
ss
th
ill
a
ume
at we w
get a
B.
fair percentage of them. The fact
that it takes up to one year to
it
d t
i
h
ecru
an
ra
n t
ese people
9.
indicates that we should have a
substantial number of these people
i
EOD
O
10
n process now to
1
ctober 1983
.
if we are to meet even a part of the
requirement.- I would appreciate any
tt.
help you can give us and we will
provide whatever assistance you may
require of us.
12.
13.
Harry
14.
tt
15.
FORM b10 USE PREVIOUS
1-79 EDITIONS
5X1
Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
 Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
SECRET 0
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Personnel
FROM: Harry E. Fitzwater
Deputy Director for Administration
Z_614 7, ~
Q
!DD/A Registry
14 APR 1983
SUBJECT: Office of Communications - Critical Understrength
REFERENCE: DDA 83-0078 dated 11 January 1983
T
1.
he Office of Communications (OC) is experiencing a critical
shortage of technical personnel while trying to meet increased
demands for communications support. Unless this situation is rapidly
reversed, OC will be unable to provide operational communications
support to critical Agency and national programs. Consequently, we
ask for your assistance. Recommendations are outlined in paragraph
four for your consideration and action.
2. The OC Career Sub-Group is approximately 75 understrength.
This understrength condition, bad as it is, does not adequately
describe OC's plight. We see an alarming drop in the number of
applicants in process for OC. Beginning in FY-84, about 100 more
MC positions will be established in response to programmed needs.
It takes up to one year to train and process employees, and place them
into production positions within the network.. We need to act now in
order to have any hope of meeting the total amount of support being
levied on an expanding Agency communications system. Further sizable
increases in staffing are projected for FY-85 to support o h conven-
tional and unconventional communications requirements.
3. OC has maintained an ongoing dialogue with elements of OP to
address this issue. Certain actions are underway, such as the distri-
bution of a special vacancy notice. OC has asked its careerists
worldwide to help identify prospective candidates. The verbiage used
in advertisements' is being reviewed and revised where needed. OC
careerists continue to make themselves available for assistance in
local and field recruiting efforts. At the request of your staff,
OC's technical qualifications for EOD are being reviewed, but OC is
understandably reluctant to lower its standards when its role is
broadenin into new technological fields. OC is willing to absorb up 25X1
to in recruitment arlvertisincr rusts since
our funds for
y
this purpose have been depleted. 25X1
4. The above actions or proposals are not enough. More must be
done, and done now. We ask that you:
Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
 Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
SUBJECT: Office of Communications - Critical Understrengt1l
a. Activate an intensive, sustained effort to recruit
technical employees for OC. Because of the proven success
of the "task force" approach, it is suggested that special
recruiting teams be formed as soon as practicable and
deployed to selected areas. As in the past, OC would
provide a knowledgeable officer to assist in this effort.
A modification to this approach might include an up-front
polygraph at Headquarters for suitable candidates. Along
these lines, Attachment A illustrates our past experiences,
goals and projections for ET and TCS trainees.
b. Expedite the processing and approval of a sizable
number o annuitants to e engage by as Independent
Contractors for specific tasks requiring specialized skills
and experience in support of CIA, Intelligence Community,
and other national projects/priorities. A letter for re-
programming funds has been separately sent to the Comptroller
in this regard (Attachment B). We recognize the Independent
Contractor approach is a "stop gap" at best.
c. Provide relief from Agency EOD-guotas that are
currently in effect. It the applicant pipeline is increased
to t e level required, the quotas will restrict the size of
classes needed to meet OC's technical responsibilities. It
is our understanding that you have an EOD reserve to be
used for contingency purposes. In view of OC's critical
need, it is sug ested that a significant number be released
for their use.
5. I look forward to your early response. Your help is
earnestly solicited.
Harry i z t
Attachments:
As Stated
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
 Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6
? SECRET 9
SUBJECT: Office of Communications - Critical Understrength
ORIGINATOR:
0 7 APR 1983
r William F. Donnell- Date
Distribution:
Original - Addressee w/att
Q-> - DDA w/att
1 - 0/Comptroller w/att
1 - D/OS w/att
SECRET
Approved For Release 2007/10/19: CIA-RDP85B01152R000400460019-6