TRANSMITTAL OF AREA FAMILIARIZATION TRIP REPORT FOR (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP63-00314R000200260017-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 8, 1998
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: July 17, 1956
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 1999/04fter.RDP63-00314R000200260 7-6
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THROUGH:
SUBjECTI
RFIERENC
17 July 195
Ass stant Director Reeeareh and Reports
Chief, Geographic Research
Chief, Geography Division
Transmittal of Area Familiarisation Tri
DD/I iotice fo. 22-1004 dated 26 March 1956
1. Attached, for onward ti's
report coverint area familiarisati
25X1A9 in South Asia, Southe
the period 10 March - 10 June 195f.
25X1A9a
25X1A9a
2. In at ting to *amply with the provisions of paragraph 6 of
the reference DD /X notice and to pattern our report sememhat after th,
nodal of that of as euggested by DWI memorandmt 25X1A9a
dated 14 June 1955-7we 7-7719WiciRire.f-ireinite ariagirings concerning tkit!
value of attempting to record "in detail the substantive benefits which
accrued" from such a trip.
3. We oonoeived of the trip, not as a detailed fact-finding
mission but as an opportunity, through first.haud observation to
achieve a better realization of the living contexts in which the :sett
that we work with have significance and of the relative power of varLJus
geographic factors from plane to place. Neither of us had travellsd -n
Asia before; our knowledge and impressions of the area had been gaime:
through academic study and headquarters work assignments. There is
doubt on our part that the substantive benefits to us were great; there
is equally no doubt that these benefits cannot be crystallized in a
single trip report, no matter how elaborate and polished it night be.
Rather, we feel that the benefits will become apparent -- and the trt,
will be justified -- by our increased competence in the day-to-day
working situation.
4. The reporting of aubetentlys details_ on foreign areas is
properly a responsibility of For.in Service personnel and lervice
Attaches. Washington headquarters personnel can acquire fa9ps about
Approved For Release 1999/09/16 : CIA-RDP63-00314R000200260017-6
1 25X1A9a
Approved For Release 1999/09/16SEMETDP63-00314R000200260017-6
T; Transmittal of Area Fsai1tria.tit Trip Report for
wash
their desk
dered an orientatdon
te more realistically
25X1A9a
op:late to hese the justifisation for
any given area p an the semi; facto submission cc
a trip report. it a1iaa1d be pre.vn*d that trte noriall;*..trip preowies
of justification aad e1eotion of Personnel to be sent on sudh travel
represent the carefully considered judgnent of the authorizing ?Mettle.
6. We offer these observations in the sincere belief that it is
impractical to require that trip reperts for area familiarization tra tel
"should Include in detail the subetaative benefits which *domed to tic
traveler during the trip." A considerable amount of tine meet be spelt)
and a feeling of frustration must be expenleneed by the returning
traveler wilco conscientiously trial to comply mdth the existing directive
7. We recommit for your consideration and for such suction as
you dose appropriate) that the substantive section of future area
familiarization trip reports be limited to a brief statement of the
activities end findings of the officer performing the travel) leavine it
to his discretion to report only 3uch substantive highlights as he con
eiders to be of significance to higher *obvious.
Enclosure:
Trip Report (10 cords')
2 - DWI
2 - FC pix
2
1
3
25X1A9a
2 -
SECRET
Approved For Release 1999/09/16 : CIA-RDP63-00314R000200260017-6