Welcoming New Members To A Very Special Team

Gregory B. Starr
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security
Remarks at Graduation Ceremony for Security Engineering Officers, Security Technical Specialists, and Seabees
Washington, D.C.
March 14, 2008
(as prepared for delivery)

Thank you, John, for your kind introduction. And thank you, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Campa, Acting Director for the Diplomatic Security Service Donovan, Assistant Director Hunter, Special Agent Allison, and Lieutenant Commander Connor for joining us today. Graduates, ladies and gentlemen, family and friends – Good Afternoon!

As the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, I am honored to be here for what I know is a distinctive moment in your careers and in your lives. I would like to welcome you, your families, and friends who have all come here today to celebrate your graduation. This is a very proud day for you and for us, at Diplomatic Security.

Today’s graduation ceremony not only marks the end of a long training cycle, but begins what I believe will be a challenging and rewarding career for each of you. If the events of the past few years are any indication, I can guarantee that you will not have a dull moment in your jobs.

As Security Engineering Officers, Security Technical Specialists, and Seabees, you will soon become indispensable members of a very special team. Diplomatic Security is a global force. As one of the preeminent security and law enforcement organizations in the world, our reputation for excellence is well-known.

The mission of DS is not an easy one. Safeguarding the people, property, and information of the U.S. Department of State is a tough job – and it’s not going to get easier any time soon. The threats we face domestically and abroad are real and growing. Advances in technology make the technical threats that you will face as Engineering Officers, Technical Specialists, and Seabees even more challenging than in the past. I can assure you that we at DS headquarters recognize and appreciate the crucial contributions that you will make to our team.

You will be part of the first line of defense for the Department of State at more than 260 embassies and consulates around the world. Your role in helping to protect and secure American diplomats and other Department of State employees and facilities will not only support the diplomatic mission of the State Department, it also will help protect our homeland from terrorists, spies, and criminals. That is why it is so important that you always strive to do your best.

Since the East Africa U.S. Embassy bombings in the late ‘90s, we have gone to unprecedented lengths to strengthen the security of all of our diplomatic missions. Teams of engineers, technical specialists, Seabees, and special agents have worked hand-in-hand – day and night – traveling to all corners of the world to prevent further attacks from terrorists.

We’ve been successful so far, but we cannot rest. The dangers and uncertainties we’ve encountered in recent years persist, and in many ways have become more complex and difficult. Our continued success requires a team effort, and every member of the team has an essential role to play. I am counting on each of you to make a positive contribution to our DS team. We need your technical expertise and your dedication.

As Security Engineering Officers, you will design and supervise the installation and maintenance of the technical security systems so critical to our missions. You will use your specialized skills and training to counter technical attacks, computer infiltrations, and other means by which hostile entities seek to extract sensitive information from our overseas and domestic facilities. You will also ensure a safe operating environment for the U.S. Secretary of State and other high level U.S. delegations when they travel overseas.

Each of you has already proven your ability by finishing a rigorous training program. You have been trained to detect sophisticated attempts to eavesdrop on sensitive conversations and activities within our facilities overseas, and you will often be called upon to use those highly technical skills. Much of your work will be done behind the scenes and outside of normal business hours. But your behind-the-scenes work will make it possible to do the very public work of the U.S. State Department.

The Security Technical Specialists graduating today will similarly be supporting the diplomatic mission of the State Department – but some of your work will be very visible. Since September 11, we have placed a greater emphasis on our overt security systems. As Security Technical Specialists, you will maintain the first line of defense at our facilities – explosive detection units, vehicle barriers, surveillance cameras, walk-thru metal detectors, and other equipment. You are also experts at properly calibrating, maintaining, and repairing sophisticated security devices that require special skills, knowledge of test procedures, and safety precautions. Your expertise in maintaining surveillance and access control systems is critical to our ability to protect our people, facilities, and information, which would otherwise be vulnerable to violence, destruction, and infiltration.

U.S. Navy Seabees - - you will perform construction in sensitive spaces at overseas posts and provide surveillance of uncleared construction workers. The Seabee motto is “can do,” and nowhere is this more appreciated and necessary than at remote, overseas posts. You will assist with the installation and maintenance of technical security systems; maintain safes, vaults, and locks; and keep shredders, disintegrators, classified containers, and security doors in good operating condition. You also will assist Engineering Officers with the installation and maintenance of closed-circuit TV cameras, alarm systems, electromagnetic door locks, vehicle barriers, and other special equipment. Additionally, you will install and maintain public access control systems and build communication centers at State Department posts. And as Seabees, you will be in charge of managing a post’s entire lock and key program.

Graduates, each of you was carefully screened and vetted before we selected you for our DS team. We have invested resources in training you -- and even more important – we have placed our faith in you. The employees of DS truly believe in our mission. I am confident that you will carry on the dedication and commitment to excellence that has become synonymous with the work of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. With your help, we will continue to ensure that the United States can conduct diplomacy safely and securely.

I congratulate you on your perseverance. Your graduation is a great accomplishment. Welcome to the State Department family and Diplomatic Security. Welcome to our team.