Simple Sabotage Field Manual

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In 1944 the CIA developed a manual on how to sabotage a workplace to be used by sympathetic citizens during World War II in occupied countries. The pamphlet was declassified in 2008, but it’s contents are surprisingly accurate. Let’s look at some of the techniques and you let me know how many of these things you see at your school.

  • Insist on doing everything through “channels.” Never permit short-cuts to be taken in order to expedite decisions.
  • When possible, refer all matters to committees, for “further study and consideration.” Attempt to make the committees as large as possible never less than five.
  • Advocate “caution.” Be “reasonable” and urge your fellow-conferees to be “reasonable” and avoid haste which might result in embarrassments or difficulties later on.

Remember, this was a CIA manual written to help people overthrow an occupying force. How it became a manual for a lot of work places I’ll never know.

There are so many more things in the document so be sure to check it out.

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