It is assumed that that the current batch of Delta Green cleared agents understand that the supernatural is real and that some hypergeometrical formulas can be of use to agents in the field. So, why doesn’t A Cell send out detailed instructions for some of the more innocuous formulas? Here is DG official policy on this matter.

Official Policy

A Cell won't teach hypergeometrical formulas to agents who have never cast hypergeometrical formulas before unless there's an immediate and desperate need. If agents learn hypergeometrical formulas during their work for the organization, A Cell will warn them not to use them unless absolutely necessary, and keep an eye on them if
they can handle it.

Agents who have proven themselves capable of handling it, _might_ be taught a few more useful hypergeometrical formulas, especially if there's a good reason for why they might need the hypergeometrical formula. If they seem to be unable to handle it, they will be turned into friendlies and given a day job in a relatively stressless environment. If there's an op that requires serious preternatural power, they might be called back in for it, but they will be mostly left alone unless it seems like they are becoming power-crazy.

There is always the 9mm retirement plan option, but contrary to what some agents might think, DG will only use this if the agent becomes a menace to those around him. DG’s aim is to protect American citizens and killing off former colleagues is something that is hard to justify for people with any remaining conscience. Not impossible, but hard.

If the agents know that a certain hypergeometrical formula is the solution and no one with the appropriate handling ability is available or has DG clearance, only then will A cell start considering the possibility to tell them where to locate the hypergeometrical formula.


Explanation

A cell tries to keep knowledge about the supernatural contained. Rather than teaching all cells about hypergeometry, there is one, maybe two, cells that are trained in the knowledge and application of hypergeometrical formulas. These cells are only activated when it seems that those special resources are needed. This policy ensures that Andrea can keep an eye on a smaller group of potentially very dangerous people.

Two rules apply: "compartmentalization" and "Handling ability".

• Compartmentalization: If agents do not know about a hypergeometrical formula no need for A Cell to tell them about it.
• Handling Ability: If agents require info about a hypergeometrical formula, ask members of A cell who will judge if they need it and send them whoever is available and knows how to deal with it.Handing out hypergeometrical formulas is a Pandora's box. It is A cell’s policy to never hand out hypergeometrical formulas just because they are pretty inoffensive. From experience we know that it is the start of something to terrifying to contemplate.

There are no innocuous preternatural hypergeometrical formulas. There have been too many cases of hypergeometrical formulas-users going nuts. A cell will only consider handing out a description of a hypergeometrical formula to agents if there is a very, very good reason for it - even then, the policy is to call in an experienced hypergeometrical formula-user who has DG clearance, rather than initiate a new agent into the workings of hypergeometry.

Only a select few agents have the mental fortitude to become experienced users of hypergeometrical formulas and keep their minds. Most who learn hypergeometry will grow paranoid, megalomanic, and obsessed with acquiring new occult knowledge.

The problem for A cell is how to separate these two types of people. A competent hypergeometrical formulas-user who knows what he is doing without going insane is an incredibly valuable asset to Delta Green - but in the process of teaching such users of hypergeometrical formulas, we might end up with a large number of agents - good, competent people who could have done a lot of good for the organization - who end up dead, insane or worse because they couldn't cope with the strain of handling preternatural energies. DG can't afford to waste agents like that.

The cell structure and the whole "compartmentalization" thing isn't just for the protection of the organization as a whole - it is also for the protection of individual agents. In fighting the preternatural, insanity of one form or another is all too common - and using hypergeometrical formulas adds to this risk.

Using hypergeometrical formulas is like playing at a casino. Most of the people who indulge are amateurs, who might have a success or two but ultimately lose and lose big. A few pros can do all right--for a while--but over the long-term, you lose, period. Nobody ever comes out ahead. Sometimes you lose everything in one big swoop, and sometimes you don't see how much has been nibbled away until too late. Only one person, as far as A cell knows, is ahead in the game.

There's the informal dissemination of information between cells. While most cells operate alone, there is "cross pollination". What happens when M Cell and F Cell interact and M Cell uses a hypergeometrical formula out in the open? Agents of F Cell might press for the information. Agents of M cell should then point out that this knowledge is compartmentalized and that agents of F cell are not cleared for it.


Learned from past mistakes

Agents during our “Cowboy Years” were sometimes handing out hypergeometrical formulas the way the army used to hand out amphetamines -- candy to children.

It backfired and almost destroyed the organization. There was too much contact between too many hypergeometrical formula-using agents, and something like a cult formed among the ranks. Rumors are abound of some kind of initiation ceremony during those years. Suddenly DG had its own fifth column, and was fighting a civil war, and A Cell became aware of the dangers of free access to hypergeometrical formulas.

During the 70's, when the organization was away from any sort of oversight, the foolishness of the Cowboy Days caught up to us. It was one of the reasons for the eventual reorganization into cells that is the basis of our current organization.


Credits: the DG mailinglist, especially Agent David Rodemaker and Agent Nash