Changing of Guards

As a career foreign service officer, it is my dream to build up my career through merit, by dint of hard work and diligence. This vision is shared by many like-minded professional Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) in the Department of Foreign Affairs. On the average, we join the Department when we are in our 20s, hoping to build experience and expertise through the years, and rise up in the career through the merit system defined by the Foreign Service Act of 1991 or R.A. 7157.

Barring any career-ending event, a career FSO could realistically become a Chief of Mission after 20 years. Ideally, he would be around 50 years old, young and strong enough to meet the physical challenges of the job. And after 20 years in the service, he would have chalked up a wealth of experience to be able to skillfully navigate the corridors of diplomacy and negotiations on behalf of our country. He would be ripe for the job of ambassador.

Alas and alack. We helplessly watch our dreams and the future being shattered and destroyed by the very persons who are tasked to safeguard and protect them. Our seniors in the career corps. Many of them are clinging to their posts, in total disregard of the rotation system. This prevents infusion of fresh, young blood into the system because the old officers are blocking the youth from rising. Compared to their counterpart ambasadors from other vibrant and dynamic countries, they are relics of another time.

Some even hang on to their jobs, way beyond retirement age, unable to make a life outside the DFA. They are nothing but old men and women, deluding themselves into thinking they are serving the country. Worse, some of them don't even bother with these delusions. They are simply hanging on for dear life to a job that is better done by the youth. You see them in the lobby of DFA, in the Executive Lounge and in the elevators. They are out there as our envoys. Barely able to walk. Shuffling pitifully around with their canes. Or simply snoring away during meetings.

What on earth has happened to aging gracefully?