Diversity in the Diplomatic Security Service

Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here with you today in this room named after America’s first diplomat. It is a fitting place to welcome our newest members of the United States Foreign Service, your family and friends, and your many colleagues who are here today to witness your entry into a new and exciting profession.

As I reviewed the biographies of this class, I was astonished by the sheer diversity this class represents. The countries and cultures, the experiences, and backgrounds that this group of 27 individuals brings to the table is amazing. Among this group is a Force Recon Platoon Commander, an 8th grade social studies teacher, an NYPD cop, an asset protection manager, a music publicist, and two Customs inspectors. There are hikers, bikers, divers, travelers, readers, a painter, and a car restorer. And they have studied everything from national security policy to Scandinavian languages to journalism to physics to business administration and criminal justice and international relations. This group is a reflection of American society and this is an important point. No organization representing the American people, the people we serve, can do so without the diversity of experience that we have come to expect in America today. This diversity of culture and gender and experience encourages new perspectives and different ways of thinking. And this provides law enforcement organizations with an advantage.

These different perspectives also help us as a foreign affairs agency as we confront the challenges we have faced post-9/11. The war on terrorism is as much a war to win the hearts and minds of people around the globe as much as it is a fight for the supremacy of law enforcement and the rule of law. Each and every one of you will play a part in this as diplomats serving overseas. Your actions and reactions will be scrutinized by those who do not know or understand America. You will be on the tip of the sword forging new relationships and alliances in an ever-changing world. The foreign policy challenges our country faces will be well served by the depth and breadth of experience you bring to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

This diversity brings a strength to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security that we will draw upon time and again. In one month, the leadership of Diplomatic Security will meet with its leadership constituency: regional security officers, special agents in charge, supervisors and managers, Foreign Service and Civil Service, agents, couriers, and engineers to decide the future of this organization. We will determine what our organization should look like in 15-20 years and forge a plan of action to take us in that direction. What will we look like? What will we do? What will we be? Those are the decisions we must make. Any organization that seeks to survive must look to its future. Once we have made these decisions, the plan will be brought back to the field and to you, the future of Diplomatic Security. Use your depth and breadth of experience and differing perspectives to examine our future. As the future leaders of Diplomatic Security, you will be tasked with having the vision to carry it out.

But this is a long-term challenge that we will face for the next couple of decades. We have more immediate challenges to deal with. Our mission in Afghanistan is as important now as ever before. The opening of the Interests Section in Tripoli and the conversion of the Coalition Provisional Authority to United States Embassy Baghdad on 1 July join our continuing mission around the world to provide a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. diplomacy. We will ask much from each of you. There are sacrifices that will be made, holidays missed, service in difficult places, and occasional danger. But the rewards are unbelievable, you will see things and places that most can only dream of, learn of new people and cultures and languages, and have experiences and adventures. You are embarking on new career rife with opportunities, make the most of them.

In a few moments, you will receive your badges and credentials. Treat them with respect and honor, as you would your colleagues. Act with integrity and honesty. The Diplomatic Security Service is one of the preeminent security and law enforcement organizations in the world and our reputation for excellence is unmatched. You are the future of this organization. We will call upon you to excel early and often in your career, and I am confident that each of you will make a difference for our department, for our nation, and most especially for the American people. That is what we have trained you to do and now it is time to perform.

I welcome each of you to our team and God bless each of you and your family as you go forth to serve this great nation and our people.