SOVIET DIVISION CATEGORIZATION AND GSFG MANNING LEVELS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00757R000100210013-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 11, 2008
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: September 14, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/01/11 : CIA-RDP85TOO757ROO0100210013-4
SECRETI
The Director of Central Intelligence
NIC #
6640-
83
National Intelligence Council
14 Se
ptemb
er 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR: S
ee Distri
bution
FROM
. M
N
ajor Gene
ational I
ral Edwa
ntellige
rd
nc
B. Atke
e Office
son, U
r for
SA
Gener
al Purpose
Forces
SUBJECT
: S
oviet Div
ision Ca
te
gorizati
on and
GSFG
Manning Le
vels
1. The recent publication of DIA's Intelligence Appraisal, Warsaw
Pact: Division Categorization (DIAIAPPR 102-83, dated 6 September 1983),
coupled with analysis of GSFG division manning levels, suggests that we
may be faced with some tough issues that have far-reaching implications.
s The DIA publication tends to formalize DoD's adoption
of the six-category system for describing Soviet
division manning that was introduced in the IIM on
The Readiness of Soviet Ground Forces. According to
the IIM and the I publication, all GSFG divisions
are held at "Full Strength Ready" status in peacetime,
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? Recent analysis of peacetime manning in GSFG and the
potential impact of division restructuring on manning
requirements suggests that GSFG divisions could be
cut-off for "Full Strength Ready" divisions.
2. If these judgments are correct, they have a number of implications
for MBFR, readiness, and warning. At a minimum, there appears to be a need
for additional assessment and discussion, as preparations for the NATO
MC-161/83 conference get under way
? Should GSFG divisions be downgraded to "Reduced Strength
Ready I" status? This would have the effect of lowering
their readiness status and would have far-reaching
political ramifications, both in the US and Europe.
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 Approved For Release 2008/01/11: CIA-RDP85T00757R000100210013-4 40-83
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SUBJECT: Soviet Division Categorization and GSFG Manning Levels
? Is the six-category system valid for describing
peacetime readiness of Soviet forces in estimates?
If GSFG divisions are manned at hardly
any Soviet divisions, other than airborne divisions,
would meet the criterion for "Full Strength Ready"
status.
? Should we adopt the six-category system for US
analyses but continue to support the current system
for NATO? This might reduce the political impact of
apparently downgrading GSFG readiness, but could
lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
3. I would like to host a meeting of knowledgeable analysts on
28 September 1983 to discuss the evidence on peacetime manning practices,
the impact of force restructuring on wartime strengths, and the implica-
tions outlined above. The meeting will be held in room 2E49, CIA
Headquarters Building starting at 1000. Space is limited, so please
provide names of attPn and clearances as soon as_possible to F
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Approved For Release 2008/01/11 : CIA-RDP85T00757R000100210013-4
 Approved For Release 2008/01/11 : CIA-RDP85T00757R000100210013-4
SECRET NIC #6640-83
1.4 September 1983
SUBJECT: Soviet Division Categorization and GSFG Manning Levels
Distribution: External
DIA/DI0-G
DIA/DB-1
Army/ACSI, LTC Phil Stewart
State/INR/PMA, W. Dean Howells
NSA/A05,
NIO/W
C/SOVA/TFD
Distribution: Internal
C/NIC
VC/NIC (H. Meyer)
VC/NIC (C. Waterman)
NI0/USSR-EE
A/NIOs/GPF
NI0/GPF File
NIO/GPF Chrono
SOVA/TF/
DDI Reg.
A/NI0/GPF1 I9/l4/83~
SECRETI
Approved For Release 2008/01/11 : CIA-RDP85T00757R000100210013-4
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