Seemingly the DoS has been piloting the idea of "expediting" passport applications from those who are doing so from missions abroad. This has not been widely publicized yet, however supposedly if one shows proof of travel within 14 days, one's passport will be done within that time frame and if not it can "take up to six weeks". Seems to me that this means that the regular fast service that we have enjoyed is now the "expedited" option, and now there is a slower track for any others. However missions that offer this no longer give people hassle about retaining their current passport uncancelled, until the new passport is received (meaning that one has to go pick up the new passport when it arrives).