sheep-dipping

So Powers, like other pilots drawn out of the Air Force, came from elite Air Force units, and they went through something that was called "sheep-dipping," which was a kind of sort of idiomatic way of describing the process where you retired them, ostensibly, from the Air Force, they became civilians, and they went to work for the CIA.

Secret Empire: Eisenhower, The CIA, and The Hidden Story of America�s Space Espionage 2003

Even sheep-dipping could probably be made cinematic, if the Grand Tetons are in the background.

film flam Larry McMurtry 1987

Even sheep-dipping could probably be made cinematic, if the Grand Tetons are in the background.

film flam Larry McMurtry 1987

Even sheep-dipping could probably be made cinematic, if the Grand Tetons are in the background.

film flam Larry McMurtry 1987

This is evidently not the same as the sheep-dipping poo1 mentioned by AC.

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1774-1824 1954

Robin and David away to a distant hillside to assist at the sheep-dipping.

The Right Stuff Some Episodes in the Career of a North Briton Ian Hay 1914

Meanwhile, the sheep-dipping project threatens to mushroom into a full-blown military situation.

Chicago Reader Tony Adler 2009

Felix has managed to reserve a Broadway house, he's negotiating for a hot movie star to put on the marquee, and if a certain Middle Eastern sheep-dipping operation comes through as planned, he'll have all the backing he needs.

Chicago Reader Tony Adler 2009