Overzealous Unity of Command
Recently, my contact information was requested for the Military Law Students Association, of which I am a happy member. Some people might wonder: what business does he have being a member?
I am a Fleet Admiral in Starfleet. Although Starfleet's primary mission is in fact one of exploration, while many have felt it to be "peace," Starfleet is also the first, last, and every line of defense in space for the United Federation of Planets and Earth. We can all recall the many times Captain James T. Kirk saved our planet, or even the rare occasion when Captain Jean-Luc Picard did the same.
More importantly, there is the concept of unity of command. This martial concept can be employed for devastating effectiveness when diverse branches of armed forces are brought together for a battle or strategic theater.
Due to the Navy's overprotectiveness, and the drunk tirades of one Admiral King, our military did its best to hamper MacArthur's war effort in the Pacific. It is true that the Japanese feared MacArthur above all, but apparently we were more concerned with placating Ernest King and Chester Nimitz by giving the Navy a huge Pacific theater of command and relegating MacArthur to the "Southwest Pacific area." By separating the theaters in this cumbersome arrangement, both egos are somewhat satisfied as they receive commands.
By far the better solution would have been to have one and only one person in broad supreme command of the Pacific war effort. MacArthur argued strenuously for this, saying that he would "hold the horse if asked to," and although there can be little doubt that he would (see: ridiculous, idiotic orders from Truman in Korean War), he most certainly did not expect to be subordinate to Nimitz when all was said and done.
In any case, such unity of command would have avoided many needless deaths (specifically, Nimitz's extraordinary island blunders), and pointed a swift dagger at Tokyo far sooner. In summary, unity of command facilitates communication, orders, tactics, and strategy -- it is absolutely essential in times of crisis.
In times of crisis, Starfleet IS the unity of command, supplanting any one of the terrestrial armed forces for the top. My position would essentially be Supreme Commander of all forces, so it is a great honor for anyone from the US Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps (or Coast Guard) to work with me in the MLSA. I try not to go because it's not particularly good taste to mingle with the men, but when in 21st century Earth, do as the Earthlings do.
I am a Fleet Admiral in Starfleet. Although Starfleet's primary mission is in fact one of exploration, while many have felt it to be "peace," Starfleet is also the first, last, and every line of defense in space for the United Federation of Planets and Earth. We can all recall the many times Captain James T. Kirk saved our planet, or even the rare occasion when Captain Jean-Luc Picard did the same.
More importantly, there is the concept of unity of command. This martial concept can be employed for devastating effectiveness when diverse branches of armed forces are brought together for a battle or strategic theater.
Due to the Navy's overprotectiveness, and the drunk tirades of one Admiral King, our military did its best to hamper MacArthur's war effort in the Pacific. It is true that the Japanese feared MacArthur above all, but apparently we were more concerned with placating Ernest King and Chester Nimitz by giving the Navy a huge Pacific theater of command and relegating MacArthur to the "Southwest Pacific area." By separating the theaters in this cumbersome arrangement, both egos are somewhat satisfied as they receive commands.
By far the better solution would have been to have one and only one person in broad supreme command of the Pacific war effort. MacArthur argued strenuously for this, saying that he would "hold the horse if asked to," and although there can be little doubt that he would (see: ridiculous, idiotic orders from Truman in Korean War), he most certainly did not expect to be subordinate to Nimitz when all was said and done.
In any case, such unity of command would have avoided many needless deaths (specifically, Nimitz's extraordinary island blunders), and pointed a swift dagger at Tokyo far sooner. In summary, unity of command facilitates communication, orders, tactics, and strategy -- it is absolutely essential in times of crisis.
In times of crisis, Starfleet IS the unity of command, supplanting any one of the terrestrial armed forces for the top. My position would essentially be Supreme Commander of all forces, so it is a great honor for anyone from the US Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps (or Coast Guard) to work with me in the MLSA. I try not to go because it's not particularly good taste to mingle with the men, but when in 21st century Earth, do as the Earthlings do.
posted by Admiral at
9:53 AM
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