Interview Questions By an Employee of the Department of Defense at Hanscom AF Base

This man was asked to answer these questions based on the extra knowledge he may have due to his
job position, but also his opinion as an American Citizen.

1. What is your Opinion of the Pentagon Papers- Should they have been a Secret?
I believe the Pentagon Papers were an extreme example of what can go wrong if leadership
doesnt more openly share national strategy with the American people, especially during critical times
of foreign policy engagement or war. It also created a huge paradigm shift on how the government
was seen in the eyes of the peopleadd Watergate to the mix and trust was at an all-time low.
Working with classified on a daily basis though, I am intrigued by how the end justifies the means in
some situations. Should they have been kept a secret?: Officially- YES- because they were documents
classified by DoD entities and analysts under the governance and within the security controls of that
time to protect information. Classifications are created to protect information that might endanger
national security or create damage to individuals, groups, politically (on a national scale) sensitive
information and/or U.S. assets. Unofficially- I believe that some very good lessons learned came out
from the Nation being torn apart over these papers. Changes in policy, governance and leadership
were needed but at what cost? Im glad the information/study was able to be analyzed and acted
upon during a time when it still could affect changenot 40years after it was declassified. At the
same time, what could have been openly acted upon early in Pres Johnsons (or even Trumans)
administration with regards to Vietnam, turned into a monster of political deception that by the time
it was leaked caused great national harm.
2. Do you believe these papers should have been released?
I believe I alluded to that answer above. I have faith in the American people and that our
government is the best run in the world- comparatively speaking and despite all our faults, failures
and warts that come from a Democracyso comes many creative and great achievements. In regards
to being a completely open government and having no secrets or to stop protecting classified
informationabsolutely not- might as well give away the keys to the front door and expect
Democracy to walk right out. (I have many reasons to support this from a social, economic, technical
and political standpoint, but I will not cover those in this this interview). As for believing that there are
times when ones moral conviction to do what is believed best for the greater good should be
supported- absolutely just try and be aware of what the fall out and unintended consequences may
be. To later end up in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2001-2003 fighting a counterinsurgency campaign and
not having learned some lessons from this experience is disheartening at the least.
3. Papers remained classified for 40 yearsany reason why?
Its part of National Security regulations that govern the safe keeping of originating
government classifiers, DoD or national agencies. The U.S. classification system is currently

established under Executive Order 13526 and has three levels of classificationConfidential, Secret,
and Top Secret. Even though they had been leaked, there was still redacted information upon full
disclosure. There was also the last step in confirmation. Until they were declassified, the public
wasnt able to fully confirm all that had been said.
4. What happens when confidential papers are released and what is the process to regain control over
them?
I may be too literal in reading this question but usually when they are released there is a
declassification process and there is no regaining control. If they are leaked well it ranges based
upon the level of sensitivity and the intent to release that information or potential damage caused
by releasing. Understand Mr Ellsbergs case was dismissed as a mistrial and charges against Ellsberg
were ultimately dropped after it was revealed that the government had broken the law in secretly
breaking into the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist and in tapping his telephone without a warrant. If
that didnt happen in the Nixon administration Mr Ellsberg (and Russo) would have gone to jail under
the Espionage Act and charges of stealing and holding secret documents. I believe due to his moral
convictions he was well aware he would go to jail. There is no re-gaining of control. There is only
containment and change in procedures.