FLETC Honor Graduate of the Year

Diplomatic Security’s relationship with FLETC goes back a long way. We have worked closely with FLETC since 1984, and we consider FLETC’s programs to be key building blocks in the career development of a special agent.

FLETC simply offers outstanding training programs. The center’s vision to provide, fast, flexible and focused training has produced superior law enforcement officers since it opened its doors in the 1970s. Today, with over 80 partner organizations, FLETC remains a vital asset to the law enforcement community.

FLETC’s training programs are essential to the success of DS. Completing and passing FLETC’s Criminal Investigator Training Program is a fundamental step in becoming a DS agent. DS performs dignitary protection, investigates passport and visa fraud and identity theft, and protects our nation’s embassies and consulates worldwide. Many agents return to FLETC throughout their career for enhancement courses.

DS looks forward to many more years of partnering with FLETC. We know our agents will graduate well equipped with the comprehensive skills necessary to carry out our mission to provide a safe and secure environment for conducting U.S. foreign policy.

Just as FLETC offers the very best training, so, we have among us today, someone who is simply the best. I often tell our agents to go out and do us proud. Victoria, you have done exactly that.

Today I have the privilege of introducing you as the FLETC Honor Graduate of the Year Award for 2005. This award is given each year to the FLETC graduate with the highest average scores on academic exams, firearms testing and physical efficiency.

In 2005, more than 3,700 law enforcement personnel graduated from FLETC’s Criminal Investigator Training Program. Victoria has graduated at the top of these graduates. She is the first woman ever to achieve this distinction.

During this training, Victoria achieved an academic average of 98.84, a firearm score of 294 points out of 300; and a physical efficiency battery average of 96. In addition, along the way Victoria earned FLETC’s Distinguished Fitness Award and the Firearms Outstanding Performance Award.

Victoria, very few people receive this award. It is reserved for a very elite group of men and women. Your excellent academic and physical achievements have put you in a special league. I congratulate you.

Clearly, Victoria is the type of enthusiastic, talented and smart agent that makes DS an outstanding organization. Since graduation, she has been assigned to our LA Field Office and has done an exceptional job utilizing her extensive field knowledge and superior training when managing her investigative caseload.

Her professionalism and maturity were quickly identified by her supervisor and she was chosen for a temporary assignment to Jerusalem in support of White House Special Envoy Wolfenson’s mission to the region. The Special Agent in Charge and her colleagues have commented that she is equally as capable on the streets of LA as she is operating in high threat environments, such as Gaza and the West Bank.

Victoria also brings significant experience to the job. Victoria graduated from the University of Michigan, and earned a Masters Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the American Military University. Before she joined DS Victoria was a Federal Air Marshal, an Arizona Highway Patrol Officer, and an Arizona Air Rescue Officer/Paramedic. She also served in the Arizona Army National Guard.

President Ronald Reagan once said, "My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out."

Victoria, you have worked hard toward your goals and have won out. You have indeed made us proud. Thank you.