Front row, from left: Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl and Ambassador Dan Smith, FSI director, join a reception with students of the inaugural One Team course in the Grove Atrium at FSI, Aug. 28. Photo by Caroline Agsten

Breaking down barriers and building cohesion

By John Berry This past July, the Department of State celebrated its 230th anniversary. As employees reflected upon the Department’s rich history, they also looked forward by rededicating themselves to their work, to their oaths...
Through the Feds Feed Families program, staff at the El Paso Passport Agency collected nearly 250 pounds of food, which was donated to El Paso Fights Hunger who cooked meals for victims and their families in the days following the attack in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Anna Sanchez-Perea

El Paso Passport Agency supports community

By Joshua Smith In the wake of tragedy, the strength of a community rises. After the Aug. 3 domestic terror attack at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, many residents felt a collective need to spring...
Russell Palarea, an operational psychologist in the Diplomatic Security Service office gives a presentation “Mass Shootings: What You Can Do To Manage the Threat” as part of National Insider Threat Awareness Month activities, Sept. 11. Photo by Luis A. Jimenez Jr.

Building a culture of trust

By Jacqueline Atiles September marked the inaugural National Insider Threat Awareness Month and the Department of State enthusiastically championed this effort. Throughout the month, the Department’s Insider Threat Program offered employees educational information and activities...
Navy Corpsmen and embassy first responders provide medical attention to an injured Marine in the simulated attack by placing a tourniquet on his leg. Photo by Gianna Messina

Embassy Madrid reinforces emergency preparedness

By Gianna Messina Twenty-three Marines from the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company Europe (FASTEUR) arrived at Embassy Madrid for a weeklong embassy engagement exercise, June 9. The exercise focused on interoperability training with embassy security...
Global HRO conference attendees pose for a group photo with DGHR Carol Z. Perez (center) at the conclusion of the final seminar in Rosslyn, Va., Sept. 18. Photo by Isaac D. Pacheco

Global HRO Conference empowers Human Resource Officers

By Lourdes Cué and Heidi Howland More than 90 Human Resource Officers (HROs) from posts across the globe gathered in Washington, Sept. 16-18, for the first of its kind Global HRO Conference. Entitled “HR is...
From left: Assistant Secretary Carl C. Risch and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discuss photos on display at the exhibit inauguration, May 29. State Department photo

Commemorating Consular Affairs’ commitment to service

By Mikala Williams The Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) celebrated its 40-year anniversary this past summer by partnering with the United States Diplomacy Center on a unique exhibit that highlighted the 239-year history of consular...
Personnel assigned to the Diplomatic Security Service joint operations center at Embassy Paris monitor potential threats and security concerns as they watch the U.S. women’s national soccer team match against Chile at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, June 16. State Department photo

DS helps safeguard Women’s World Cup

By Angela French While the United States was cheering on its national soccer team, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents and analysts worked behind the scenes to provide security support at...
Approximately 2,000 students attend the Nicaraguan-American Alumni University Fair sponsored by Embassy Managua at the Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano binational center, May 17. Photo by Gil Fiallos

Mission Nicaragua hosts first-ever U.S. Alumni Fair

By Evangeline Taylor The Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano binational center was abuzz, May 17, with nearly 2,000 Nicaraguan students who were eager to engage with Embassy Managua personnel and learn more about U.S. colleges and...
Ambassador Thomas Hushek along with members of the regional security office at Embassy Juba and members from contract company Triple Canopy, present an award to Worldwide Protective Services Shift Leader Shawn Meyers (front row, second from right) for his well-planned and executed mission to Boma-Bandingilo National Park in June. Photo courtesy of Embassy Juba

DSS provides support for challenging missions in South Sudan

By James Miller Throughout the past year, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) regional security office at Embassy Juba has provided security support for more than 40 flyaway missions in South Sudan. These missions enable...
Conservators, civil engineers and stonecutters from three ASEAN countries work together to conserve the Shwe-nandaw Kyaung monastery in Mandalay, Burma. Photo by Jeff Allen

Historic preservation creates opportunity

By Jennifer Schuett Situated in the heart of Burma, Mandalay is the country’s last royal capital, a bustling economic hub in the Indo-Pacific region and the site of an Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)...

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