The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessment (OASSA) is probably one of the government offices that can be labeled as an “elite institution”. Since the office deals primarily with international defense and security policies and commitments, one might expect it to be staffed by highly competent people with highly specialized knowledge. In other words, OASSA employees are unlikely to be found in any other government office. Each government office has lawyers in its legal division, accountants in the finance section, and human resources professionals in personnel services. However, only in the OASSA can one find civil servants in charge of developing the country's defense and security policy. OASSA's vital role in our government is more indispensable than it has ever been before, considering the security and defense issues and challenges the Philippines faces today. This context, therefore, is one of the reasons why I wanted to join OASSA. I want to be an “elite government employee.” I want to work for my government in a specialized role....