As an NLP fag, NLP is much more powerful than 'amateur psyops'. NLP is best described as a 'framework of techniques'. Think of it like a martial art, with many moves rather than a thing in itself.
The NLP community seldom invents brand new techniques, but instead borrows them from all over the shop - often by modelling those that are successful in their chosen field. Finding out the mental processes behind the success of a sports star and then teaching other sports people the same techniques - that's where the $$$ are made.
I suspect that many of the techniques that NLP lays claim to have been with us as a species for thousands of years. I expect that the elites have harvested the best of the bunch and have been using them to control the human herd for centuries. The Monarch and MKUltra programmes are the logical endpoints of research into extreme mental control. The more fluffy NLP techniques are used everyday to sell you more $hit.
From what I've read of MKUltra and Monarch, the techniques, once converted into processes and procedures and nailed to a flowchart fit right into the NLP framework.
I would say that NLP began as an offshoot of MKUltra. Go dig on Richard Bandler. Most of his unsavory stuff is likely memory-holed by now. You want the court case where he was tried for murder and likely hypnotised the entire jury to find him innocent!