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USCIB: 9 .3/23 HANDLE . VIA CQV!INT G'.ltlmM!tS 6NL! 

10 January 1955 

SE6Rffi' 24 

MEMORAND'l.M FOR THE MEMBERS OF USCIB: 

Subject: 

Reference: 

USCIB Master Requirements List. 

USCIB 9.3/21 of 10 December 1954 (Minutes of Item 2 of 

Agenda for llOth Meeting of USCIB). 

1. In accordance with the discussion and decision recorded in the 

reference, the USCIB Executive Committee met in special session on 

7 January 1955 and agreed as set forth below to a philosophy of attack 

and procedure for solution of the problem. 

2. The problem should be attacked in two stages, firstly, the 

establishment of a mechanism for the levying of national intelligence 

requirements and, secondly, the establishment of a mechanism for the 

fulfillment of departmental intelligence requirements. As we go about 

solving the problem in these two stages we should consider whether the 

mechanisms f'or which we are searching do not already exist and need only 

be directed along the right path. 

3. With regard to national intelligence objectives, it seems clear 

that these should be established without regard to the existence of 

sources. Clearly the IAC is the body to do this and, it is understood, 

has done so. Next, a statement of the requirements for intelligence 

necessary t<> meet these objectives must be prepared. This also should 

be done without regard to the existence of sources. Again, this would 

appear to be the function of the IAC. 

4. Having at hand a statement of objectives and the requirements 

for their fulfillment all in order of relative importance, it becomes 

necessary to assign the tasks of collection. At this point the extent 

of sources available must be considered and assignments made in accordance with the capabilities of those sources bearing in mind the 

reliability and accuracy factor for each source and the necessity for 

corroborative intelligence information without creating undesirable 

duplication. The individuals who perform this task must in aggregate 

have not only a thorough knowledge of the peculiarities of any . 

particular collection source, but also a thorough knowledge of the 

degree to which that collection source may be e.xpected to fulfill a 

given requirement. This knowledge must then be pooled and assignment of 

collection tasks made in the light thereof. 

5. If we assume that we can solve successfully the problem of 

establishing a mechanism for the assignment of broad national collection 

tasks to the National Security Agency, the rest of the problem can be 

resolved along the lines indicated below. 

USCIB: 9 .3/23 Ih\ifl3LE VIA 6CMIN'i' 6H1rMm:L::S ONLY 

eclassified and approved for release by NSA on 

SECRET 1-10-2014 ursuantto E.O. 13526 
USCIB: 9 .3/23 

10 January 1955 

Subject: USCIB Master Requirements List. 

6. At this point each member department and agency or USCIB should 

examine the national collection tasks which have been assigned to the 

National Security Agency and determine what if any of his departmental or 

agency requirements would not be likely to be included therein. A list 

in the form of additional CTCMINT collection tasks should then be prepared 

by each member department and agency or USCIB and a mechanism round ror 

integrating these requirements with the national tasks already established and arranging the combined requirements in order of relative 

priority. USCIB would appear to be the mechanism for this purpose. 

7. Having now established in order or relative priority a list 

including both the national and the departmental tasks to be performed by 

the COMINT source, it becomes necessary to formulate an implementing plan 

and a means of assessing the effectiveness of such a plan. A mechanism 

for this must now be found. Since it is this aspect or the problem that 

has thus far not been solved to the satisfaction of our collector, the 

National Security Agency, it would appear that the NSA is the mechanism 

which should prepare the Implementing Collection Plan and submit it to 

USCIB for review and approval. With the National Security Agency now in 

possession o:f an approved collection plan we need only find a way to see 

how well it works. NSA should, therefore, prepare clear and llllderstandable periodic progress reports to USCIB concerning conformity with, and 

fulfillment of, the guidance received; the basic allocation of COMINT 

resources; &1d an estimate or the additional resources required to 

enhance fulf:illment of the COMINT objectives. After study ..Jf this periodic 

report, USCIB should advise the National Executive Agent as to what 

resources it considers should be made available for COMINT production in 

.the coming year. 

8. The remaining questions of how adjustments of emphasis within 

an established tAsk or the addition of unforeseen tasks would be answered 

by providing a suitable arrangement for direct authoritative approach to 

the NSA at 11:1vels prescribed by USCIB. In case of conflict between such 

adjustments or unforeseen tasks and the already established tasks, rapid 

recourse to USCIB for solution should be provided. 

9. In order to draw up specific recommendations as to how the above 

should be accomplished an Ad Hoc Committee of USCIBEC composed. as follows 

was established: 

Captain Jo So Holtwick, USN 

Lt o Colonel F. Jo Harrold. USAF 

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SECRET 

NSA 

USAF 

OGA 
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SEe!E'i' 

Subject: 

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REF ID:A57333 

SECRET 9 

10 January 1955 

USCIB Master Requirements List. 

10. The above-mentioned Ad Hoc Committee has been directed to report 

its recommendations as soon as practicable. These will then be considered 

by USCIBEC and the recommendations resulting therefrom forwarded to the 

Board for consideration. 

~us-~ aptain, U. s. Navy 

e t"ve Secretary, USCIB 

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SECRET