The Coordinate Remote Viewing Manual
The Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV) Manual, completed in May 1986, is a historic document originally produced for the U.S. military’s remote viewing unit at Fort Meade. The document was printed by the Defense Intelligence Agency and published on 1 May 1986.
In February 1985, Tom McNear authored an earlier version of the Controlled Remote Viewing Manual as part of the military’s effort to formalize remote viewing techniques. This initial draft, titled Coordinate Remote Viewing Stages I–VI and Beyond outlined basic methods and foundational concepts. The manual was subsequently expanded in 1986 to include more detailed protocols, refined instructional content, and enhanced theoretical background. This revision aimed to systematically address challenges encountered during training, integrating feedback from both instructors and trainees, and ensuring the methodology was robust enough for reliable application in intelligence work. The 1986 version thus represents a comprehensive update that built upon McNear’s groundwork to create a thorough and effective documentation of Ingo Swann’s CRV training.
The “Coordinate Remote Viewing” manual was drafted by Paul H. Smith, with assistance from Tom McNear, Charlene Shufelt, William G. Ray, and F. Holmes Atwater for use in the U.S. military’s Center Lane (and later Sun Streak) remote viewing psychic espionage program at Ft. George G. Meade through 1985–1990.
The 1986 Coordinate Remote Viewing Manual. (Photo taken in 2025 at the University of West Georgia Ingram Library Archives.)
The CRV manuals were never meant as do‑it‑yourself training books, but as technical references capturing how Ingo Swann’s methodology was originally developed and practiced. They focus on explaining the underlying theory and structure of Controlled Remote Viewing for use in instructor‑led programs, not on giving beginners step‑by‑step exercises, troubleshooting, or feedback, so they work best as companions to proper training with an experienced CRV instructor. The manual did not attempt to explain how to teach CRV, how to apply it in real-world projects, or why specific elements of the structure exist, because it was assumed that any trainee would be working directly with Swann or someone already fully trained in the method. Used on its own, the document can inform and inspire, but it cannot replace the tailored feedback, troubleshooting, and experiential learning that are essential for developing competent and reliable CRV skills.
As Tom McNear writes in The Foundations of Controlled Remote Viewing: “One common misperception is that this is a CRV training manual. Some believe they can read it and become proficient at remote viewing—this was never the intent of the document. This document was written to give readers […] an overview of what CRV was and how it was developed.”
Paul H. Smith makes the same point: “It wasn’t intended as a training manual per se, and certainly not as a stand‑alone training manual. Its primary purpose was to capture and preserve for posterity Ingo’s methodology. The very first page declares that it was prepared to serve as a comprehensive explanation of the theory and mechanics of CRV, and as a guide for future training programs. We certainly didn’t develop it as a how‑to.”
For new viewers, the manuals can be inspiring and intellectually satisfying, but they are only one piece of the puzzle—the real skill in CRV is built through live practice, correction, and mentoring that no written document can fully replace.
In April 1986, Ingo Swann sent a letter expressing his endorsement of the Coordinate Remote Viewing Manual which was published by the Defense Intelligence Agency on 1 May 1986, with Paul H. Smith as primary author and editor.
The CRV manual was unclassified but not in public circulation until the mid 1990s. Upon its completion, Capt. F. (“Fred”) Holmes Atwater, the training and operations officer for the remote viewing unit, forwarded a copy of the manual to Ingo Swann at his residence in New York City for his examination. Mr. Swann replied with this signed letter. After he received the letter, Capt. Atwater framed the original and presented it to then-Capt. Smith, who still has it in his possession.
(One clarification: Even though Ingo Swann was under the impression—as noted in the letter’s text—that Ed Dames had contributed to this manual, Dames had, sometime before the manual was begun, returned to his home unit on Ft. Meade and was not assigned to the remote viewing program until the manual had been substantially completed.)
