Intregration: The Graduation of Basic Special Agent Class 77 and Security Engineering Officer Class 03-04

Welcome! This morning I have the distinct honor of welcoming 36 of our newest members to the United States Foreign Service, their friends and families, and soon-to-be colleagues. It is appropriate that this take place in a room named for America’s first diplomat. Benjamin Franklin was a renowned statesman envied for his diplomatic skill and tact. He played a critical role in persuading much of the world to recognize the 13 colonies as a nation among nations. Each and every one of you, special agents and security engineering officers alike, will also play a critical role in advancing the diplomatic interests of our great country.

This graduation is a special one. It is unique because it is a rare joint ceremony for graduating special agents and security engineering officers. Sometimes when people think of Diplomatic Security, they think only of special agents. But DS is much more than that, we are an organization 32,500 strong made up of special agents, security engineering officers, security technical specialists, diplomatic couriers, Office of Foreign Mission staff, Foreign and Civil Service employees, and contractors located in over 170 countries. We are a global operation and, in order for us to achieve our mission effectively, we must be an integrated operation.

It used to be that security meant someone standing at the gates. Now, in order to provide a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, it requires the development of specialized skills. The people standing at the gates are no longer the security officers of old that marched around the perimeter inserting a key into a watch clock. Nowadays, security officers in the Foreign Service are knowledgeable, highly trained and skilled individuals with an indepth understanding of the political and cultural nuances of the society they are working and living in. They understand that the decisions they make on security can have serious political and diplomatic consequences and they make their decisions accordingly.

But the scope of what we consider security has also greatly changed. Security used to be locks and alarms. Well, we still have that but we also have incredibly complex electronic and computer systems that control the keys to the kingdom. And security officers in the Foreign Service also means highly skilled engineers that can comprehend the financial and political impact of physical and technical security on the mission as well as they can detect a technical compromise of a building. They must be able to adapt to new technologies, understand emerging threats, real and virtual, and be able to conduct analysis, research and development.

Each group is seemingly different but the truth is, one is the extension of the other. A security program that does not incorporate or consider technology is just a phantom. It may sound good but it won’t do the job. And the use of technology without a philosophy to base security principles on is a HAL run amok. Does anyone here know what HAL is? HAL is the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey that tries to take over the space ship and kill its occupants. Obviously, we would never want a HAL run amok.

The threat that faces us today is global and ever changing. The techniques and tactics that criminals and terrorists use are evolving. They are taking advantage of global connectivity, technology, and the media. In order for us to succeed at our mission of keeping American diplomats and the American public safe, we must recognize the need to change and evolve. We have to be willing to exploit globalization, technology, and the media also. Most of all, we have to be willing to face the businesses realities of the 21st century.

The truth is, in the information and technology age, information must be delivered in time to impact the decision making process. I think some of you in the audience have heard me talk about this before but it bears repeating. If information is delivered too late, it is irrelevant. What sort of information are we talking about? Information that could drive the direction of U.S. foreign policy. Information that could tell us if there is going to be a terrorist attack against the American homeland, either here in the United States or at one of our diplomatic missions abroad. Information that could give us the advantage in protecting ourselves. Information must be efficiently gathered, analyzed, and disseminated. This is best done in a globally integrated fashion. You have all seen this happen since 9/11. For the past two years and a half years, intelligence and law enforcement organizations, not just in this country but around the world, have been working together to gather, analyze, and disseminate information to protect each other from terrorist attacks. It’s been very effective.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is at a crossroads. We can accept that we are a global enterprise with a global mission and this will require the full integration of all elements of our organization. We can accept that in order for us to effectively protect the American public and American diplomats, we will all need to work together. Or we can decide not to work together. But this is a plan that I will not allow you to choose. But if we choose the latter option, at what cost to us as an organization? To the many people who depend on us for their security?

In two weeks, your senior leaders in DS will meet with the leadership constituency of DS: regional security officers, special agents in charge, senior security engineering officers and diplomatic couriers, the regional Office of Foreign Missions directors, and headquarters individuals. We will discuss the future of DS. We will answer the questions of: Where should we go? What should we look like? What will we be? in the next 15 – 20 years. And then we will forge a plan of action. This plan of action, this strategic vision will be brought back to the field, to you, the future leaders of Diplomatic Security. Examine this plan, scrutinize and assess it for you will be tasked with having the vision to carry it out.

Back to the great man this room was named for. During the Revolutionary War, many men sought commissions but Benjamin Franklin was never deceived. He held no hope of a commission unless the applicant had ability in his chosen field. He let each man prove his own worth. Before me is a group of individuals selected for the diversity of talents, perspectives, and experience that each of you bring to this organization. You have all proven your abilities by finishing a challenging training program. Now you will go forth and prove that our faith in you is not misplaced. 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, our nation, and most especially for the American people that we faithfully serve. This is what we have trained you to do and now it is time for you to perform. We will ask much from you, there will be sacrifices made, holidays missed, service in difficult places, and occasional danger. But you will also see things and places that most can only dream of, learn of new people and cultures and languages, have experiences and adventures. You are embarking on a 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. I welcome each of you to our team. God bless each of you and your family as you go forth to serve this great nation and our people.