The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2015 83 not just in her spouse’s coun- try of origin, but in an entire region of the world. Several Foreign Service members submitted similarly discon- certing written accounts. Employees welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from Douglas Quiram, direc- tor of the Office of Personnel Security and Suitability, and Gary Vogt, chief of the DS adjudications division that administers the assignment restriction program. The two explained the need for assignment restric- tions in light of national secu- rity interests. According to Vogt, 204 decisions to restrict assignments were made last year and 12 previous restric- tions were lifted. Only seven restriction recommendations were never approved in the first place. Brooks thanked DS for their participation. He noted that EEOC constantly revisits how it thinks about civil rights, as cases have become increasingly complicated since the days of overt segregation. “We have systems that are embedded into processes that hamper opportunity,” Brooks said. “It takes a real educated, analytical approach and an openness to looking at those processes to actually facilitate what we call civil rights in this new millennium.” Meeting participants agreed on the need for reform, though its exact nature remains an open question. AFSA has prepared guidance for members who find they are subject to assignment restrictions (see www.bit.ly/1SrNNyn) and will continue working to increase the programs’ clarity, transparency and account- ability. n —Lindsey Botts, Labor Management Executive Assistant Assignment Restrictions • Continued from page 69 AFSA/MARIAC.LIVINGSTON Bureau of Diplomatic Security representatives Douglas Quiram (right) and Gary Vogt (left) listen and respond to concerns related to the implementation of the assignment restriction and pass-through programs.