Last time I checked DSS--2007 when their academy director was here; I worked with him in Africa--are not rated as FSOs and fall under the civil service side, not the FS side of State. Has to do with their assignment patterns. The first assignments are typically stateside as security investigators for clearances, then on proyective details, and later as Embasst assistant regional security officers and RSOs. Can be a good to great job. My experience with them is they are for the most part cops. And as a non-FSO element of an FS dominated agency, they are looked upon as red headed step children. Like any outfit most are good professionals and some are not. I have run into both but mainly the former. Stan has some insights as well.

Tom