Posted on Jun 3, 2015
Do Military (Army/AF) and Naval (Navy/MC) Officers View Regulations Differently?
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Historically, ships operated in tactical isolation, thus embuing ships' Captains with absolute authority. How has this led to services' different views of policy from "higher authority"?
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officers
Warrant Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Having served in a three joint assignments, including one in Naples, Italy (predominantly Navy), one in Korea and one in USCENTCOM/McDill AFB, and having worked for officers of other services and had officers of other services work for me, I can say, with authority, that, yes, there is a difference. That difference stems from the command climate and traditions of the individual services, with the Army and Marine Corps more or less the same and the Navy and Air Force marching to their own drummers.
I will not attempt to state which service has it right. That is a matter of opinion and mine is just one of many. I guess it is right for that service, although, from my experience, the Navy and, particularly the Air Force, seem to be much more permissive than the Army and Marine Corps when it comes to enforcing regulations. Just my opinion, based on my personal observations.
Having served in a three joint assignments, including one in Naples, Italy (predominantly Navy), one in Korea and one in USCENTCOM/McDill AFB, and having worked for officers of other services and had officers of other services work for me, I can say, with authority, that, yes, there is a difference. That difference stems from the command climate and traditions of the individual services, with the Army and Marine Corps more or less the same and the Navy and Air Force marching to their own drummers.
I will not attempt to state which service has it right. That is a matter of opinion and mine is just one of many. I guess it is right for that service, although, from my experience, the Navy and, particularly the Air Force, seem to be much more permissive than the Army and Marine Corps when it comes to enforcing regulations. Just my opinion, based on my personal observations.
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Capt Mark Strobl
Reflecting to the "way" each respective branch conducts warfare, let me offer this. The Navy and Air Force, generally, employ technical-based weapons platforms from a mile away: A button is pushed, the weapon leaves the rail, and on to the next target. By comparison, the Army & Marines tend to be much more "up close & personal" when engaging the bad guys. It takes varied levels of discipline to conduct both styles of combat.
OK, I am NOT casting criticism on my AF or Navy counterparts here But... Following regulations & orders is a reflection of good order & discipline --and it's just one indicator of the type of warrior who RUNS to the sound of the guns.
OK, I am NOT casting criticism on my AF or Navy counterparts here But... Following regulations & orders is a reflection of good order & discipline --and it's just one indicator of the type of warrior who RUNS to the sound of the guns.
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CDR Michael Goldschmidt
Interesting take, Capt Mark. My experience with USMC is that it is very innovative and that Commanders enforce directives only insofar as they help accomplish the mission. Of course, you are a Marine and I am not, so you would know better, at least at the Company Officer level.
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While different services may have underlying cultural practices, I still think it's really more of the personality of the person in charge. A Naval officer who is a stickler for the rules is still going to be a stickler for the rules. An Army officer who is a spirit of the rules guy is still going to be a spirit of the rules guy.
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Regulations have always been viewed with different interpretations. I believe it is branch immaterial.
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