The Foreign Service Journal - October 2017

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2017 15 AAFSWBookFair aafsw.org/art-bookfair-2017 AFSPA Foreign Service Benefit Plan afspa.org/fsbp AFSPAAncillary Programs afspa.org Blue Cross Blue Shield www.axateleconsultation.com/ fep Clements Worldwide Clements.com/FSJ Hirshorn Company Hirshorn.com SDFCU sdfcu.org/meetplatinum eliminate the position of Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons, currently held by career FSO Randy Berry, who also holds the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Secretary Tillerson’s effort to reduce the number of special envoys has broad support within the State Department. Many feel that these political positions have proliferated to the point where they are undermining existing State Depart- ment regional bureaus and other divi- sions that do similar work. The American Academy of Diplo- macy, for instance, describes special envoys as “often gumming up the works” and taking much-needed staff away from critical positions within bureaus. At the same time, many of the posi- tions are supported by advocacy and interest groups who fear that the elimi- nation of a special envoy position will rob them of an important voice in the political arena. Sen. Corker has said that he looks forward to reviewing the proposals in detail. In July, the SFRC passed bipar- tisan legislation that requires the State Department to tell Congress which special envoys it wants to keep. The legislation also requires that all special envoy nominees going forward obtain Senate confirmation. Diplomatic Security Special Agent Honored O n July 31, the Federal Law Enforce- ment Training Center named Diplo- matic Security Special Agent Jeremy Miles FLETC 2016 Honor Graduate of the Year. The award is presented annually to the FLETC basic training honor gradu- ate with the highest academic average. FLETC graduated more than 70,000 law enforcement officers and agents in 2016. Special Agent Miles received the certificate from FLETC Acting Director William Fallon and Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director of Training for Diplomatic Security Scott Moretti at a ceremony on the FLETC main campus in Glynco, Georgia. ”Your excellent academic and physical achievements have put you in a special league,” said DAS Moretti in his keynote. “I’m proud we get to call you one of our own.” Special Agent Miles was also recognized by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at a press conference on Aug. 1. Special Agent Miles is currently serving at the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Washington, D.C., field office. In addition to investigative work, he also has supported several protective details for visiting foreign dignitaries. He gradu- ated from Duke University in 2012 with a B.A. in public policy studies. n This edition of Talking Points was pre- pared by Gemma Dvorak, Susan Maitra and Shawn Dorman. (From left) U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Moretti, DSS Special Agent Jeremy Miles and FLETC Acting Director William Fallon. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY