Can't comment on the "red headed step children" remark. DSS appears to have a reputation for professionalism.
David,

That remark is about standard FSO attitudes towards RSOs; the same tendencies are shown with regards to GSOs and communicators. All part of State's inner culture--rather similar to pilots and non-pilots in the Air Force.

Standards are high indeed in the DSS. As an outsider with freinds in the DSS, there is a sense of confusion/wannabe something else that emerges when you talk to DSS types.

Some--not all---seem to want to be more than a security specialist; the worst tend to want to get involved as intelligence operators as in generating intelligence when they are intelligence consumers.

Others are so focused on the primary mission--protection--that they ignore the political situation. A very close friend of mine who had dual security duties with the DSS and Blackwater types in Baghdad said this showed in their overly aggressive tactics--and yes he was there when the Blackwater shooting that caused such a stir broke out. To their credit DSS recognized that contract standards were going to have to be enforced in the field afterwards.

It is a difficult job and they do it well.

Tom