The Foreign Service Journal, March 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2017 9 Power,” D S Agent Ronnie Catipon offers an overview of the many responsibilities of Diplomatic Security at home and abroad. In “The DS Melting Pot,” Agent RJ Bent Rabetsivahiny explores the varied path- ways to DS and explains how the diversity of cultural background and experience among her colleagues makes DS stronger. Freelance writer and FS community member Donna Gorman, in “DS: The Road Ahead,” focuses on DS’ growth a nd increased responsibility since 9/11, and the implications for DS members and their families. She discusses the policy, hiring and training challenges, as well as the bid- ding puzzles, with a note on the particular difficulties for tandems. On behalf of the FSJ Editorial Board and staff, I offer special thanks to Vince Crawley, currently of the DS Public Affairs Office, for all his help with photos and with wrangling of article drafts and clearances. I close with a pitch to AFSAmembers in the various foreign affairs agencies: Please consider joining the FSJ Editorial Board when spots open up this summer. Volun- teer service on the board is fun (really!), and the discussions are always lively and interesting (and we provide good food). See p. 56 for details. And remember that we are always seeking submissions: features, reflections, speaking-outs, letters and photos for Local Lens. Nowmore than ever, The Foreign Ser- vice Journal must remain a trusted vehicle for discussion of diplomacy and issues of concern to the Foreign Service, whether that relates to work, life or foreign policy. We look forward to hearing from you. n LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Protecting Diplomacy BY SHAWN DORMAN F Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. romprotecting the Secretary of State on travel and in the United States tomanaging the protection of embassies and other U.S. mis- sions overseas—the people, property and classifiedmaterial—Diplomatic Security personnel are on the front lines securing and enabling the conduct of diplomacy. Many inside the Foreign Service community—andmost outside it—are unaware of the extent and variety of critical functions carried out by DS, and the partic- ular challenges they face. This month, we feature the people and the ever-evolving role of DS on the occasion of its centennial. In “Securing Diplomacy for the Next Quarter-Century,” former Assistant Secr e- tary of State for Diplomatic Security Greg Starr sums up the critical issues facing Diplomatic Security, and diplomacy more broadly, this way: “If we want to continue protecting our citizens by having a positive influence in a dangerous world, we need to find ways tomaintain a meaningful pres- ence in increasingly unstable situations.” Acting Assistant Secretary for DS Bill Miller, in “DS at 100: A Tradition of Vigilance,” offers a brief history of DS and its mission enabling and protecting diplomacy. And, he explains the difference between DS and DSS, which few people are able to do clearly. DS personnel are at work inmore places around the world than any other U.S. law enforce- ment agency. In “Law Enforcement as an Instrument of National